Article and Photography By BECKIE LOEWENSTEIN
The water of the Five Continuous Pools in the Black Dragon Province fizzes like an ice-cold Pelligrino. The mineral springs are found at Wudalianchi, a rural community in the volcanic region of Heilongjiang, China.
The water contains more than forty minerals compatible with the needs of the human body. Those who drink and bathe in the water on a regular basis gain the most health benefits. Chinese tourists stay for months on end to cure diseases of the skin, digestive, nervous, and circulatory diseases.
Those who cannot stay long enough to soak up the goodness take the water to go. During the summer the locals and tourists arrive in droves to collect the precious water from the taps. They come prepared with empty 10 kg plastic containers, thermoses, and bottles. The cold water gushes out. Some load the backs of trucks with as many containers as can fit. Many drink straight from the tap.
The mineral water tastes strange at first. The bubbles soothe the throat. It tastes the best when cooked in food. For instance, the mineral water gives a distinctive flavor to the local tofu dish.
The flavor of the volcanic rocks and gases contribute the most to the flavor of the water. According to UNESCO, Wudalianchi has five mineral spring water belts, each with varying mineral content: bicarbonate water of Yao quan Mt. belt, ferrosiliceous bicarbonate water of E. Jiaodebu Mt. belt, carbonic acid water of Weishan Mt. belt, carbonic acid water of Huoshao Mt. belt, and metasilicic acid-radon water of Baolong Spring belt.
Soaking in a mineral water spa in the midst of curious plants and rocks helps the weary traveler relax. The Chinese claim that a regular volcanic mineral water bath does even more. The "holy" mineral water slows down the aging process. Showering in the water supposedly prevent hairs from turning white.
The summer rain showers in Wudalianchi feel surreal. A sudden rain storm flashes purple light against the sea of black basalt rocks. The lime-green lichen soaks up the rain.
A boat traverses the waters filling in the cracks of the rock bed. My Chinese professors lift their umbrellas to complete the roof on the boat. They are thrilled to be caught in "mineral rain."
Later they drink hot, fragrant ginger soup made with the mineral waters. After all, breaking out into a sweat prevents a cold.
The water of the Five Continuous Pools in the Black Dragon Province fizzes like an ice-cold Pelligrino. The mineral springs are found at Wudalianchi, a rural community in the volcanic region of Heilongjiang, China.
The water contains more than forty minerals compatible with the needs of the human body. Those who drink and bathe in the water on a regular basis gain the most health benefits. Chinese tourists stay for months on end to cure diseases of the skin, digestive, nervous, and circulatory diseases.
Those who cannot stay long enough to soak up the goodness take the water to go. During the summer the locals and tourists arrive in droves to collect the precious water from the taps. They come prepared with empty 10 kg plastic containers, thermoses, and bottles. The cold water gushes out. Some load the backs of trucks with as many containers as can fit. Many drink straight from the tap.
The mineral water tastes strange at first. The bubbles soothe the throat. It tastes the best when cooked in food. For instance, the mineral water gives a distinctive flavor to the local tofu dish.
The flavor of the volcanic rocks and gases contribute the most to the flavor of the water. According to UNESCO, Wudalianchi has five mineral spring water belts, each with varying mineral content: bicarbonate water of Yao quan Mt. belt, ferrosiliceous bicarbonate water of E. Jiaodebu Mt. belt, carbonic acid water of Weishan Mt. belt, carbonic acid water of Huoshao Mt. belt, and metasilicic acid-radon water of Baolong Spring belt.
Soaking in a mineral water spa in the midst of curious plants and rocks helps the weary traveler relax. The Chinese claim that a regular volcanic mineral water bath does even more. The "holy" mineral water slows down the aging process. Showering in the water supposedly prevent hairs from turning white.
The summer rain showers in Wudalianchi feel surreal. A sudden rain storm flashes purple light against the sea of black basalt rocks. The lime-green lichen soaks up the rain.
A boat traverses the waters filling in the cracks of the rock bed. My Chinese professors lift their umbrellas to complete the roof on the boat. They are thrilled to be caught in "mineral rain."
Later they drink hot, fragrant ginger soup made with the mineral waters. After all, breaking out into a sweat prevents a cold.