Hot and cold: China's best hot springs

Yingkou

A photo taken on Dec 28, 2013, shows a hot spring in Yingkou city in Northeast China's Liaoning province. Yingkou sits on Bohai Bay and has a history of hot springs, mainly around the towns of Xiongyue and Shuangtaizi. In the 16th century, local people used the springs for relaxation and healthcare purposes. The springs here were recognized by the Liaoning Mineral Water Assessment Committee for their medicinal properties in 1991. [Photo/IC]

When winter comes, nothing is more relaxing than a hot spring bath. For thousands of years, natural mineral-rich hot spring baths have also been used to relieve health ailments.

The water found in natural hot springs contains a variety of different minerals, and the most common one is sulfur. It has a "rotten egg" smell but is excellent for skin.

The sulfur-containing water might be just what the doctor ordered when it comes to relieving pain, stress, itchy skin, arthritis and more.

Hot springs resorts are thriving as biting cold winter arrives. Here we take a look at some of the best natural hot springs China has to offer.