Jiuqitai Outdoor Hot Spring Bath Festival in Eryuan County, Dali
Introduction of The Festival
- Chinese Name:洱源县九气台露天温泉春浴节
- English Name: Jiuqitai Outdoor Hot Spring Bath Festival in Eryuan County, Dali
Er’yuan is rich in geothermal resources and is known as the “Hometown of Hot Springs,” while its county is hailed as the “Hot Spring City.” In addition to the underground hot water found everywhere in the county town, hot water ponds can also be found in areas like Sanying Huoyanshan, Niujie, Liantie, and Xiashankou, as well as in Yousuo Wenshui and Tuanjiepitou Village, making for various bathing festivals throughout Er’yuan.
From the twelfth lunar month to around the beginning of spring, laboring women of different ethnic groups from areas like Dengchuan and Yousuo gather in groups to nearby bathing ponds for a thorough wash, ensuring they celebrate the New Year clean and refreshed.
In Niujie and Sanying areas, there is a natural open-air hot spring by the roadside, popularly known as “Qufeng Pond” or “Laizitang.” This spring water is rich in minerals and trace elements; bathing in it helps dispel wind and dampness and provides therapeutic benefits for warming the uterus and nourishing yang. Each spring, local Bai women and those from neighboring areas visit “Qufeng Pond” to wash away a year’s fatigue, promoting physical and mental well-being.
The Jiukitai Hot Spring in the county town is famous far and wide. In Jiukitai Village, steaming hot water can be seen everywhere, and the numerous spring holes emit hot water that can cook eggs. The entire village, fields, and trees are enveloped in mist, creating a picturesque scene. The Qing Dynasty’s “Langqiong County Records” states: “… The sulfuric steam primarily nourishes the vital fire of the life gate, treats spleen and stomach deficiency, reduces abdominal swelling, chronic cold diarrhea, and symptoms like uterine coldness leading to infertility. Long-term use promotes lightness and youthfulness, making it a naturally gifted treasure.”
Jiukitai Hot Spring is referred to as “Sulfur Hot Spring” and can be bathed in year-round. Each year, around the “Beginning of Summer” festival, women from various ethnic groups come to Jiukitai to bathe in the sulfur spring. After their baths, these women, glowing and radiant, often form groups of three or five to picnic, row, and have fun by the shore of Cibihai Lake for the day.
The Bai poet He Bangjian from the Qing Dynasty wrote: “The hot spring is as blue as Huaqing, and many visitors come to bathe. Singing and gathering sometimes matches the flowers and willows that entertain in the fragrant spring.”
The Local Activities of The Festival
- Community Bathing Events: Locals and visitors gather at the Jiuqitai hot springs to enjoy communal bathing. This is often seen as a way to cleanse oneself, both physically and spiritually, as participants wash away the fatigue of the past year and prepare for new beginnings.
- Cultural Performances: Various ethnic groups in the region take part in showcasing their traditional dances, songs, and music. Performances often happen around the hot spring areas, celebrating the unique cultural diversity of the Bai ethnic group and other local communities.
- Picnicking and Socializing: After enjoying the hot springs, attendees often take part in picnics by the lakeside or in nearby parks. Families and friends gather to share meals, traditional foods, and drinks, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
- Health and Wellness Activities: Workshops and demonstrations may be held to educate participants about the health benefits of hot spring bathing, including therapeutic practices that promote physical and mental well-being.
- Recreational Activities: The festival often features various recreational activities such as boat rides on Cibihai Lake, hiking in the surrounding areas, and other outdoor games that allow participants to enjoy the natural beauty of Dali.
- Traditional Crafts and Local Products: Vendors usually set up stalls to sell local handicrafts, traditional clothing, and food products, allowing visitors to experience local culture and take home souvenirs.
- Photo Opportunities: Given the picturesque setting of the hot springs amidst beautiful landscapes, there are ample photo opportunities. Many participants take the chance to capture memories of the festival and the stunning surroundings.
- Environmental Awareness Campaigns: Some editions of the festival may include activities focused on raising awareness about environmental conservation and the importance of protecting natural hot springs and local ecosystems.
Today, large hot spring swimming pools have been built at Jiukitai Hot Spring Hotel and Xiashankou Resort, providing convenience for visitors.
