Simao Hot Springs

Simao Hot Springs are geothermal springs in the Simao district of Pu'er City in southern Yunnan Province, China, where bicarbonate thermal waters emerge from the tectonically active geology of the Lancang River (Mekong) valley — part of the UNESCO-listed Three Parallel Rivers landscape — offering natural thermal bathing in the center of the world's most famous tea-producing region. The ancient tea forests of Simao, with some wild tea trees exceeding 800 years of age, surround the spring landscape and represent one of the world's most biodiverse tea-growing environments, where the confluence of subtropical climate, rich volcanic soils, and traditional ethnic minority cultivation practices produce the unique aged pu-erh teas sought by connoisseurs worldwide. The combination of bicarbonate thermal soaking and immersion in the ancient tea agricultural landscape of Simao provides visitors with an experience that connects thermal wellness to one of the world's most historically significant beverage cultures.