Hot springs are to Taiwan what sauna is to Northern Europe: the best place to find warmth and relax when the weather turns cold. I have enjoyed going hot springs ever since I came to Taiwan. They are located in the mountains and the view of the dark green forests is in itself worth the travel. A couple of years ago, I made a discovery that increased my pleasure of going to hot springs even further: drinking top quality high mountain Oolong at the springs!
There, it isn't so much the nose or mouth that tastes the tea, but the whole body! A high mountain qi and freshness is exactly what the hot, soaked body is longing for! It doesn't just taste good. It feels good. Relaxed by the springs, the outdoors setting, the tea experience is lived and enjoyed from head to toe. Our senses are much more receptive to the tea's energy.
Such moments of total relaxation and harmony are too few in life. I recommend to make the best of them by using your best, fresh high mountain Oolong. Your body will tell the difference. Then, just keep it simple and enjoy life!
Note: Maybe you should try after (or during) your next sauna or spa... How was it?
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9 comments:
MARVELLOUS,wonderfully atmosphere...
like a purity.
Spa and Gao Shan Cha ... in this PERIOD, it's a great contrast.
Sound of "san-thé"!!!
j'en fais de meme à Bordeaux dans ma baignoire,et un Shan lin Shi hiver qui suit derrière ;et grace à tes images ,je pars loin loin...m'imaginant des spas ou surgirait une fabuleuse minéralité...
Merci.
Philippe.Bx.
I always go to Wulai and while it's a favorite place of mine I want a change, any recommendations or favorite places? Thank you!
Merci Philippe.
Tu as probablement eu une excellente idée de boire du thé dans ta baignoire ou juste après!
I also go to Wulai most of the time! I particularly Lan Tian, a little bit outside town. And the Sun Moon Light just before town is also quite nice, especially with kids.
But the pictures I took here are not from Wulai, but from Da Ban Ken, south of San Hsia. It's very modern and has a nice forest for a short family hike. But it can be crowded on weekends. Best is to go during the week.
Nice to drop in and browse all these interesting posts again.
/Celina
These hot springs look just heavenly. As I read your article I wondered why more spas don't include fine tea in their treatment. Why not? I can't think of anything to go better with the relaxing treatment.
What wonderful idea! Now I must find the hot springs and take some tea.
Nice to have you back, Celina!
Jason,
I know a spa in Thailand who propose good (Taiwanese) Oolong to their guests! I guess that the management needs to know about tea in order to propose it. This knowledge is more widespread in Asia, I guess.
Justement en ce moment au Japon, il se trouve que je suis un grand amoureux des onsen. Et dieu sait que j'aimerais boire un bon thé quand je suis dans un rotenburo avec la vue magnifique des couleurs de l'automne.
J'ai déjà pris du sake dans un tel bain mais on ne m'a jamais proposé de thé (ou alors un bancha.) J'imagine que cela doit exister cependant.
Je t'envie en tout cas.
Comme j'aimerais qu'il y ait la même chose en France...
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