Baoting Shuangda Hot Spring Resort

The Baoting Shuangda Hot Spring Resort is envisioned a wellness retreat that blends with the slopes of Seven Fairies National Forest Park in Hainan, China. The site has a unique rainforest setting along with a natural stream and hot springs. It also enjoys views of the seven peaks of Qixianling, the highest point in the region.

It is rooted in traditional bathhouses which offered travelers a moment to renew themselves and socialize after expeditions. The landscape design traces a journey towards awakening with three phases that reframe the mountain.

Various outdoor areas of the clubhouse building, where the drop-off is located, are oriented towards the seven peaks, including a circular skylight on the roof. The lush pool area at the base of the clubhouse layers local plant species to create dense canopies that provide shade and privacy.

The reflection pool which faces the mountain includes hidden steps that lead to the hot springs spa. To retain the character of the site and reduce transport-related emissions, rocks and boulders are retained. Larger boulders are left in situ as the design works around their natural placements to create private niches in the hot spring pools and to achieve planting effects that blend with the surrounding park.

The water from the spa area cascades to a beer garden with al fresco dining pods and an outdoor stage amidst a fern garden. Here visitors can enjoy their meals with awakened senses while enveloped by a serene environment and under the stars.

Solar exposure studies informed the programming of spaces, while normalized difference vegetation indices assisted in strategizing for enhanced green coverage and soil health. This enabled a selection of plant types that would best thrive in the local conditions, create comfortable microclimates, and can potentially sequester about 34,000,00 kg CO2-eq over fifty years.

The landscape concept carefully considers natural assets and the resort’s oriental architecture to honor the harmonious peaks and to tap into the healing properties of the forest. Baoting Shuangda Hot Spring Resort demonstrates that maximizing available materials and ecosystem data can create a wellness destination like no other.