Dali Geothermal Paradise in Jiuqitai Hot Spring,Eryuan County

Aside from the amusing name, the "Geothermic Kingdom" is the largest hot springs in Asia, and may be the most beautiful. Set in a valley surrounded by mountains, and so big you could get lost inside. There are pools of all temperatures and sizes, pools shaped like giant hands, pools with caves, pools filled with skin purifying milk, and one that claims to cleanse your heart and soul. It's just over an hour from Dali city, open 24hrs.

Drive 90 minutes from Dali Old City and you won’t be disappointed. A whole complex of hot spring pools that have various shapes (including human hand), temperatures (from 40 till 80 Celsius degrees) and full range of services such as bars and massage (I am talking about the regular one). There are enough attractions to keep you relaxing for a whole day! Soak yourself and do NOT intermix with the other cheaper hot springs nearby that are not even close to the quality and scale of this one.

It all gets closed around 1:00 or 2:00 o’clock in the morning (if I remember correct), so you’ll have two options: to stay in the attached hotel (the pricey one) or to arrange a taxi back to Dali Old town (the cheaper option, especially for a small groups).