Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort

The hot pools were incredible, with options like coffee, ginger tea, wine, or lemongrass water, and there's beautiful greenery throughout the resort. It was a serene place, with pools, massage, rest areas, tea stations, and a restaurant. I had a great oil and hot-stone massage, and my therapist was professional and helped me relax. I'd suggest coming with a friend or two, since sitting alone in the pools can get boring. I had a fantastic visit and will definitely return. Getting there was confusing at first. I caught the shuttle near the Fortune Hotel by the International Ferry Terminal, but I arrived early and got different directions about where to wait and buy a ticket. Jade from the Fortune Hotel explained that I should arrive about 15 minutes before departure and just board the bus. I didn't end up paying, though I'd heard it usually costs 30 RMB. At the resort, you get a personal locker and wristband to charge purchases to. I felt safe leaving my passport and other things in the locker, while understanding they were my responsibility if anything happened. They required a swimming cap for the pools, so I had to buy one for 18 RMB.

It's a good spot to relax in the hot springs. Bring a swimsuit and swimming cap, since some pools don't allow people without caps. The shuttle runs every two hours to and from the place, going to the international ferry terminal for 30 RMB.

The atmosphere was very friendly, even though I don't speak Chinese. There are waterfalls, saunas, cold rooms, and huge hot spring pools all over the place. Since you'll probably be taking a bus from Xiamen, I'd plan to spend the whole day there. People wore a mix of things: some underwear, the occasional pair of board shorts, mostly bikinis or speedos, and a few people stayed fully dressed.

I've been here five times and love everything. The hot and cold baths, swimming pools, especially the massage pools, Turkish bath, sauna, cold room, and forest room make it the best way to relax. The buffet food is really tasty too.