Dongqian Lake Hengyuan Hot Spring

Hengyuan Hot Spring sits on the shore of Dongqian Lake, Zhejiang's biggest freshwater lake, and the resort's pools are terraced so the water seems to meet the lake itself. The spa floor, private villas, and lakeside restaurant round out a classic Chinese resort weekend.

It is the standard Ningbo escape - an hour from the city, kayaks and cycle paths on the lake, hot water at the end of the day - and the English-friendly front desk handles day passes without fuss. Combine a soak with the ancient villages that dot the lake's far shore.