The source of the hot spring is a sandbar in Yangxi Zhilong River. Water spurts from the ground at a temperature of 76℃. The total soluble mineral content is high, it can be up to 12,184 mg/L, ranking first in China; its content accounts for 87.5% of trace minerals that humans need, which also ranks it first in China.
Indulging in a Hot Spring under the Moonlight
West to Yangjiang is the Yangxi Salt Water Mineral Spring. It is just inside the city and at first glance, is just like an ordinary hotel with nothing eye-catching. But upon entering, I was totally amazed. I was transported to the hot spring by an electromobile. travelling through a green garden with extraordinary fresh air; my mood was lifted.
I stayed at a small courtyard with a garden, which was surrounded by plants. There was a stone-built hot spring pool. Courtyard walls were covered by rhododendrons. Red and pink flowers dotted the vast green wall. And the courtyard was shadowed by trees. This was indeed the best suite I had ever stayed in, especially with a private hot spring pool that is so rare to see in China.
There was a small pavilion in the courtyard. On a small table, a classic kungfu tea set was placed. On arrival, attendants already had both the hot spring and kungfu tea ready. Sipping the tea while enjoying the hot spring was so cozy. Peeking out from the small door of the courtyard, I saw Donghu, and its villas opposite.
After dinner, I continued my hot spring delight under moonlight. It was my first experience. Quality of salt water with a salty taste is especially good, which seemed to add a luster to my skin after soaking in it.
Dual Function of the Hot Spring
The soluble mineral content of Yangxi hot spring ranks top for the abundant amount of trace elements beneficial to human health. It is suitable for both drinking and bathing, a recognised hot spring with dual function.
The attendants briefed me about the benefits of the salt water hot spring water. Firstly, warmth and salt work together to stimulate skin nerves, which produce positive effects on various systems of the body. This can enhance metabolism, increase the excretion of urine and urea, reduce blood sugar and increase blood cells. Secondly, it can calm and regulate tense nerves. Thirdly, it can improve physical fitness with anti-inflammatory and desensitising effects.
In the daytime, soaking in the public hot spring area is another enjoyment. There are more than 50 different sizes and different functions of public hot spring. There are Balikli Kaplica (Fish Spring), aerobic floating pool, water massage pool, Boeing energy pool, bullets pool, capsule pool, mineral sand pool and a large swimming pool. There are also slides, rafting, surfing and other facilities in the water park. No wonder it is one of the biggest water spa centres of Guangdong Province. Compared to the private hot spring area, there are pools that offer massage to different parts of the body, and also more fun. Of course, it is still the same salt water.
A Slight Pain Experience ‘Being Bitten by Fish’
The most interesting experience was the Psoriasis fish treatment of Baliklia Kaplica. When I went in, no fish ‘kissed’ me. But they soon heard the sound and 2 cm-long fish assembled into an army, densely attached to the body. There is a saying that the fish need not be fed, they simply eat dead skin of humans and nothing else. So there must always be people ‘sacrificing’ themselves. The fish will grow, of course, and maybe it could hurt when they grow bigger.
Being kissed by the fish is a fun experience. As they bite like ticking. They bite your back, feet, hands and parts that are hard to wash. The more dirty a person, the more fish come to serve. It is a bit embarrassing to be that person.
Delicious Meal Made with the Hot Spring Water
What makes this hot spring different is that the mineral spring water can be drunk directly, so meals cooked together with the water are especially yummy. You do not have to sprinkle salt. It is the right taste already. When it came to dinner, I once again experienced another fantastic feature of the water. The hot-spring-water-made tofu is especially tasty; a dish named One-night Stand which is simply green line fish, had been soaked with salt water overnight. The fact that it tasted much better on the next day gives it this popular yet notorious name; salt water dumplings here are also so surprisingly palatable that I wondered why I had not know it before.
Translated by Yuki Cheung

Travel Tips:
Transportation: take a 4-hour-drive bus from Shenzhen to Yangxi, and then take a taxi for around 15 minutes to the resort.
Address: Donghu Developmental Zone, Xiangyang East Road, Yangxi County Seat, Guangdong (there are streets and night markets next to the hotel, as well as fast food shops and supermarkets. It is convenient for both shopping and dining)
Tel.: (662) 588 5188
Fee: 98 yuan for hot spring only
Accommodation: standard room charges from 380 yuan; lake villa charges from 758 yuan (with a private garden and a private hot spring accommodating 6-8 people)