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Yushu Hot Springs

Yushu, Qinghai, China
Yushu Hot Springs
Location
Yushu, Qinghai, China
Water type
sulfurous
Temperature
38 °C
pH
6.5

Water profile

Thermicity
Neutral
38 °C
LowHigh

Soothing — neither hot nor cold, perfect balance.

Mineralisation
Bio-active
LowHigh

Rich in active gases or metals — a strong mineral character.

Buoyancy
Standard buoyancy
LowHigh

Soft water — natural, classic buoyancy.

SoufreSulfuresSulfates

Yushu Hot Springs are found in Yushu, a high-altitude Tibetan city in southern Qinghai Province that serves as a major center of Tibetan Buddhist culture and sits near the headwaters of three of Asia's greatest rivers — the Yangtze, the Mekong, and the Yellow — earning the region the title 'Roof of the Rivers.' The city was severely damaged by an earthquake in 2010 and has since been rebuilt, with its rebuilt Jyekundo Monastery standing as a symbol of cultural resilience. The geothermal springs here, emerging at elevations above 3,600 meters, offer unique high-altitude mineral bathing in a landscape of sacred mountains, nomadic traditions, and vast open skies.

Insider tip — Yushu Hot Springs emerge at over 3600 meters on the eastern Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai's Yushu prefecture, a sacred Kham Tibetan region. The sulfurous waters are traditionally used by monks and pilgrims making their way between monasteries, believed to cleanse both physical ailments and spiritual impurities. The stark plateau landscape — yak herds, prayer flags, and open sky — creates an otherworldly bathing backdrop. Warm layers are essential even in summer as temperatures at this elevation can drop sharply after sundown.
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Frequently asked questions

How hot is the water?
The water is neutral here, around 38 °C — a perfect balance, neither too hot nor too cold.
What type of water is found here?
This spot features sulfurous water.
What is the best season to visit?
The most favourable period for this spot is: Toute l'année (idéal automne-hiver).