Tongjing Hot Spring

Tongjing (Tong Well) is a hot-spring valley set among the karst towers of Yubei, an hour's drive from downtown Chongqing. The springs bubble up beneath the limestone cliffs, and the resort terraces pools up the hillside with views over the green river bend.

It is quieter and wilder than the city resorts - think forest bathing with hot water - and works perfectly as a day trip or an overnight. The on-site restaurant does proper Chongqing cooking, and the private rock pools are the ones to book.