The hot spring resorts clustered in the hills north of Zalantun offer the most comfortable way to use the city as a base. The water is geothermally heated, emerging at temperatures suitable for outdoor pools year-round, and several resorts have developed around the natural sources with varying degrees of luxury and rusticity. The appeal in winter is particular: bathing in warm water while snow covers the surrounding forest is a pleasure the region's latitude makes possible from November through March.
Most resorts include accommodation as well as bathing facilities, and the better ones offer day passes that allow non-guests to use the pools. Transfer from Zalantun city takes about 40 minutes by road. Booking ahead is advisable during the summer peak season and the long national holidays.