Explainer | What is China TCM-inspired ‘hotpot bath’ where visitors soak in chilli pepper and milk soup?
Medicated baths use steam or herbal infusions from boiled Chinese herbs to soak the body; believed to assist in illness prevention
Some bathhouses in China are invigorating the traditional hot spring experience with “hotpot baths”, where visitors immerse themselves in a chilli pepper “soup” inspired by the principles of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
In October, a resort in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province, elevated the experience further by introducing a two-tone soup pool, offering a more visually stunning attraction.
In restaurants, the yuan yang hotpot, or Mandarin duck hotpot, features a divided pot that accommodates two contrasting broths, providing a favoured choice among diners.
According to mainland media outlet Daxiang News, in this picturesque area, a 5-metre-wide round hot spring is segmented into vibrant red and white zones, closely resembling the popular two-sided hotpot utensil.
The red pool is brimming with chilli peppers, eggplants and cabbage, replicating a spicy broth, while the white pool contains milk, red dates and goji berries, akin to a clear soup.