The Chozikha Hot Springs, situated beside the Sino-Tibetan Highway in Chozikha Township of Mangkang County, boast 108 individual springs. Legend has it that these springs were formed from the tears of the Goddess Dameyong, resulting in 108 spring eyes. The flow and temperature of these springs vary, generally ranging from 20°C to 50°C, with the highest temperatures reaching up to 80°C.
Some springs are even hotter than the local boiling point. Locals don’t boil water for use; instead, they fetch water directly from the hotter springs, which gives a unique taste to the tea brewed with it. Different water temperatures are believed to offer varied medicinal benefits, particularly effective in treating skin conditions.
The scenic beauty of Chozikha Hot Springs is unmatched, set against the majestic Dameyong Snow Mountain. The area is a pastoral idyll in spring, summer, and autumn. In winter, visitors can enjoy the enchanting experience of bathing in the hot springs amid falling snow, creating a serene and enjoyable atmosphere. When outdoor temperatures drop below 0°C, the area near the springs is enveloped in mist, resembling a fairy-tale world. The most pleasant climate here is from March to September, attracting tourists for holidays and leisure.
Mangkang County has developed this area into a tourism and holiday resort, constructing hotels and other service facilities. There are indoor swimming pools and an outdoor open-air hot spring pool (600 square meters), making it a comprehensive destination for recuperation, bathing, and tourism in Eastern Tibet. At night, visitors can also enjoy authentic ethnic songs and dances.
Travel Tips
- There is an entrance fee for the indoor hot springs, priced at 10 yuan per person.
- Yanjing Town is about 15 kilometers from the hot springs. The site is accessible by road, allowing for easy travel by rented car or self-drive.
- On the eastern slopes of Honglashan Mountain in Chozikha Township is the “Honglashan Tunnel Ruins.” Built by the 18th Army during the construction of the Sino-Tibetan Highway, the tunnel is arch-shaped, measuring 6.8 meters in height, 13.9 meters in width, and 141 meters in length. The outer structure is brick, while the inside is reinforced with cement beams, making it a necessary pass on National Highway 214 that is still in use today.
