Anning Hot Spring

Anning Hot Spring, situated at the foot of Yuquanshan (Jade Spring Hill) by the Tanglangchuan River in Anning County, 47 kilometres away from the downtown area of Kunming, is one of Kunming's famous scenic spots and health resorts, which enjoys the reputation of being "the Best Hot Spring under the Sun".

Anning Hot Spring is surrounded by high hills on three sides with Yuquanshan Hill in the east, Congshan Hill in the west and Bijiashan Hill in the northeast. The Tanglangchuan River rushes down the south. Located at a height of 1,795 metres above sea level, Anning Hot Spring is endowed with graceful, verdant trees, beautiful hills and peaceful surroundings. Set off by green woods, the crystal clear spring gradually rises from the stone crevices just like thousands of bright pearls shining. Since the water is green in colour and bright like jade, the spring is also called "Green Jade Spring".

Anning Hot Spring was discovered as early as more than 1,400 years ago. According to a legend, from the 17th to the 20th years in the reign of Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty (A.D. 41 to A.D. 44), a Han General Su Wenda serving under General Fubo came to fight Jiaozhi in the south. The former had to stay in Dian (another name for Yunnan Province), for he was laid up with a communicable subtropical disease. One day, Su Wenda took pleasure in hunting with the prefectural baron Alinluo. Having reached the summit of Congshan Hill, he saw wisps of white vapour rising from the foot of the hill. Rushing down the hill to have a closer look, he found a clear spring. Workers were recruited to open up this newly-discovered spring. During the era of Zhengguan of the Tang Dynasty, the spring resort underwent some renovations. By the Yuan Dynasty, the spring had become a famous scenic spot. "The water in Anning Hot spring is so warm. All the credit goes to Su Wenda of the Han Dynasty", thus hailed Guo Moruo, a famous Chinese poet, in praise of the spring in one of his poems. What Guo Moruo mentioned here refers to this legend.

Anning Hot Spring is noted for its outstanding characteristics. With an average temperature of 42C and its dark green colour, the water is free from the odour of sulphur and contains manifold trace elements such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, barium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, strontium and others, effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis vertebral diseases, sequelae of trauma, gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis, chronic colon inflammation, insomnia, early stage high blood pressure, dermatitis and gynaecological diseases. Since it is a carbonic acid spring free from sulphur, the water is fit for drinking and bathing. "The wondersful scenery in Anning Hot Spring and the Tanglangchuan River is renowned in China. The spring itself is so marvellous that it is beyond description." This is what Yang Yiqing, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations, wrote in his Travels to Hot Spring. During the era of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty, Yang Shen, a poet banished from the court, who stayed in Dian for the rest of his life acdaimed "the Green Jade Spring" as "the Best Hot Spring under the Sun". Xu Xiake, the famous geographer in the Ming Dynasty, highly praised the spring by saying: "The colour of this spring is just like jade shining brilliantly. Though I have found in South Dian a great number of hot springs, the water of Anning Hot Spring is the best in quality. Thus one should not miss his golden chance of bathing here." While going sight-seeing in Anning Hot Spring in 1962, Dong Biwu spoke highly of this hot spring by composing: "Sing no praises of the gold seals (symbols for the splendours and riches of the aristocrats) of the six kingdoms, but try to enjoy yourself in this fantastic green hot spring of Yunnan."

Near the Hot Spring stand numerous guest houses and sanatoriums. Swimming pools of lukewarm water are found here and there. With elegant tourist facilities, the guest houses here offer a hospitable service. With various conveniences of transportation, post and telecommunications, Anning Hot Spring is an ideal place for sightseeing and recuperation.

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