Winter Hot Spring Escape in Hangzhou: I’m at Yunman, Where Are You?
[Hey Sky, Hey Earth]
Hangzhou's winter always catches you off guard. One moment you're savoring the crisp autumn sunshine, and the next, the mercury plunges to single digits. Our family has a pact: admire peach blossoms in spring, golden gingko leaves in autumn, pick watermelons in summer, and soak in hot springs come winter—we plan seasonal getaways together. As the days grow colder, the idea of our first hot spring trip of the year naturally came to mind. Right on our doorstep is Yunman Hot Spring, a Japanese-style retreat nestled by Xianghu Lake, known as the 'Little West Lake.' It exudes a secluded, soothing charm yet is conveniently accessible—located on the first floor of the First World Hotel, with easy parking (just 20 yuan for the whole day). We were lucky to catch their Thanksgiving-themed 'Trendy Hot Spring' event, featuring everything from trendy eats and games to chic photo ops and performances, plus special parent-child activities. We spent the whole day there—soaking, devouring hot pot, watching shows, and snapping heartwarming photos. An absolutely perfect weekend!
During the day, Yunman is gentle and warm. When sunlight filters through the white gauze curtains and dapples the tree shadows, it’s a special sight. The pool design leans Japanese. Many pools are screened by white drapes, so stepping into the grove feels like slipping into Tokyo. Bring your own swimwear—though there are over 30 pools of all sizes. The most famous are the Moon Pool and the Beauty Pool. The waters vary in color depending on their therapeutic properties: white, green, blue, red. You’ll find milk pools, herbal pools, sulphur pools, and lavender pools, with temperatures ranging from 37 to 43°C. I’d suggest starting with cooler pools and gradually moving to hotter ones; with kids, don’t stay too long in the hot ones to avoid scalding. The little one’s favorite was the ball pit pool, just like a summer water park—she could play there for ages. You might try the fish therapy pool (extra charge), which babies adore. Children are naturally curious about living things, and the tiny nibbling fish tickling the soles of her feet sent our toddler into peals of giggles the whole time. Laughter is highly contagious, and soon the whole pool—adults and kids alike—were grinning ear to ear, painting a picture of glass-clear brightness and tangerine sweetness, a charming ukiyo-e scene.
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The entire hot spring area resembles a Japanese garden dotted with distinct themes, each with its own style. If you plan to stay all day, I recommend a combo ticket to hop between themes seamlessly. The pools officially open at 10:30 a.m. The Rainforest Bubble Spring feels like a natural oxygen bar—completely open-air, lush with greenery, where you can soak and enjoy the view. The Xiangju Flower Cottage is wonderfully romantic, featuring a large pool shaped like a mandarin duck pond. The Nine-Grid Pool turned out to be our baby’s favorite, where she could crawl from section to section, and I think it’s the most beautiful. Surrounded by gauzy drapes with a classic Japanese elegance, you’re warm in the pool while winter chills outside; it’s as if the sheer curtains separate two worlds.
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When evening lights come on, Yunman transforms completely. If daytime is tranquil and elegant, nighttime is playful and enchanting. Star-shaped string lights and twinkling orbs among the bushes make you feel like you’ve walked into a magical Emerald City. Yunman’s signature Moon Pool is stunning: during the day, sunlight filters through the trees on both sides, casting dappled shadows and a hazy mist that transports you to Tokyo. At night, the enchanting lights glow, and posing by the pool is an indescribable mood.
After a long soak, you can relax in the lounge with desserts and tea, or even take a cozy nap.
We happened to be there during Thanksgiving, so Yunman put on daily trendy electronic music shows, romantic light displays, and dreamy performances.
With a full belly, contentment comes easily. As we frolicked in the pools while watching shows, it felt like a time warp—who knew you could get this lively in a hot spring? Nothing trendier. Our little one was thrilled, bouncing to the electronic beats, then pointing and clapping at the light displays. Each performance lasted about 30 minutes, and you could watch from a lounger or while soaking in the pool—each has its charm. But in winter, I’d advise staying in the water.
Dressing up in a kimono ❤️ and taking photos—that’s the real essence of Yunman’s ‘Little Tokyo.’ There are over a dozen kimonos to choose from, ranging from subtle to vibrant patterns, whatever suits you. You can wear the kimono into the hot spring area for photos—the atmosphere is intense. But note: kimonos are not allowed in the water. When the night lights twinkle, it’s perfect for photography. The wooden cabins and small displays around also evoke Tokyo. One photo session later, you’ve got an authentic Tokyo bathhouse experience without leaving town.
If there are two winter treasures, they’re hot springs and hot pot. At Yunman, you can actually enjoy a personal hot pot while soaking! Everyone knows that climbing out of a warm pool revs up your metabolism and leaves you ravenously hungry. So, still basking in that toasty, blissful state, our family dove into a steaming hot pot. Honestly, nothing beats a hearty hot pot feast right after a soak. We ordered the Thai-style love pot ❤️, with incredibly fresh ingredients: spicy tripe, springy beef, and an abundance of mushrooms—a grand slam for the taste buds. Tempted by the imperial hand-grabbed feast, we added another round—two kinds of happiness in one visit, right inside a hot spring!
Not in the mood for hot pot? No worries. There’s also a buffet with plenty of cooked dishes and seafood, fruits, cakes, salmon, chow mein, and yes, hot pot as well. During Thanksgiving, they added a special interactive performance for kids, teaching them to eat well and not be picky—fun and educational, perfect for family trips.
[Staying in the 'Little Yellow Duck' Room]
We checked into the First World Hotel and pulled up to find our themed room was: Little Yellow Duck!!! My heart instantly went quack-quack-quack. As soon as the door opened, our little one laughed with glee, dashing to her favorite tent and slide, not knowing what to play with first. In this world full of little yellow ducks, she even took a bath with ocean balls, and after begging for a few ducky stories, she reluctantly clutched a duck plush and fell asleep. Honestly, every family needs regular getaways. When you completely change your environment, you break free from daily routines. Exploring and discovering the world together, then discussing and reflecting on it, becomes a form of quality companionship and cherished collective memories. Record these moments through words, photos, and videos—happiness, after all, accumulates from one quality time after another.
[As always, TIPS]
1. The pools are mixed-gender, so they're especially family-friendly. Bring your own swimwear; if you forget, you can buy some at the hotel, though prices are not cheap. Since you can't try them on, know your body and style to pick a flattering one.
2. If driving, parking costs 20 yuan per entry, not by time. The hot spring doesn’t offer parking vouchers.
3. Outdoor pools provide free barley tea, chrysanthemum tea, etc., and disposable cups, so you don't need to bring your own.
4. The facility opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m., so manage your time. For an all-day or overnight stay, pack some snacks— the onsite shop has a limited selection and prices.
5. Limit each soak to 15 minutes and drink plenty of water to avoid dizziness; families with kids should monitor children closely.
6. For photos, light-colored swimsuits come out best and work well with both tropical and Japanese-style settings. Also, don’t miss the free kimono dress-up—it adds incredible atmosphere to your shots.
