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15 of the Most Gorgeous Hot Springs in the World

These hot springs aren't just great for your mind and body—they're also incredibly picture-perfect.

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Nature’s hot tubs

Hot springs are one of Mother Earth’s most incredible tricks, and a humbling peek behind the curtain about our planet. You might not think very much at all about the ground under your feet, but a hot spring is an eye-opening (and awesome) reminder that there’s a whole lot going on under there then meets the eye.

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Yangpachen Hot Springs—Tibet

Tucked high in the peaks of the Himalayas, the Yangpachen Hot Springs is the highest altitude set of hot springs in the world at 4,200 feet above sea level. Since the water rests at 158 degrees Fahrenheit and has to be cooled down before bathers can wade, Yangpachen doesn’t have to close with the seasons. Here are 20 of the most beautiful natural pools in the world.

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Banjar Hot Springs—Bali

The first thing you’ll notice about the Banjar Hot Springs is its tints of yellow and red. Chalk it up to the water’s high sulphuric content, which is also responsible for its famous healing and sooting elements. Intricately carved dragon head fountains feed the springs’ three-tiered pools, surrounded by kilometers of Bali rainforest.

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Huanglong, national park, province Sichuan, UNESCO, world nature heritage, sinter terraces.
Prisma by Dukas/Getty Images

Huanglong National Park—China

Dubbed “Fairyland on Earth,” Huanglong National Park is magical not only for the color-changing waters of its hot springs but for the Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys and Giant Pandas the forest is home to as well. The terraced hot springs spill over into one another for just over two-miles, earning the nickname “Yellow Dragon.” Here are 15 of the most colorful natural wonders on earth.

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Terme di Saturnia—Italy

The water in this 3,000-year-old spring embarks on quite the journey to get there, flowing down from the slopes Tuscany’s Mount Amiata. From there, it follows an underground course, slowly filtering into the spring’s thermal pool through micro-cracks in the rock. It takes 40 years for the water to arrive at its final destination. Legend has it the springs formed when Jupiter threw lightning bolts at Saturn—and missed.

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Deception Island—Antarctica

For folks who thought only scientists or a krill visit Antarctica— this island has already deceived you. Just a few hundred miles from the southernmost tip of Chile, the active underwater volcano that formed Deception Island keeps the heat hidden just a few inches below the surface. All you need to do after taking a dip in the Arctic is dig a few inches in the sand to access its geothermal heat.

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wyoming
Lorcel/shutterstock

Grand Prismatic Spring—Wyoming, USA

Located in Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Prismatic Spring is the third-largest hot spring in the world. Its mesmerizing colors of orange, yellow, green, and blue are only one of its crowd-drawing attributes. Its maximum depth is 121 feet and its diameter is an impressive 370 feet. The spring’s average temperature is 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

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turkey
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Pamukkale—Turkey

Pamukkale, which is Turkish for “Cotton Castle,” is Turkey’s most visited tourist attraction. And after seeing these incredible hot springs, we understand why. The springs almost appear to be “hanging” onto the side of a cliff, creating a remarkable natural phenomenon. Pamukkale is also rich in history—it’s located beneath the site of the very well-preserved ancient Greek-Roman city of Hierapolis. Who wouldn’t want to bathe and walk where the Romans once did?

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iceland
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Blue Lagoon—Iceland

Situated in an 800-year-old lava field in Iceland, Blue Lagoon is truly a natural wonder. The lagoon holds nine million liters of geothermal seawater, which has temperatures ranging from 98 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the Blue Lagoon website, “In this subterranean frontier of porous lava and searing heat, seawater and groundwater converge, giving rise to a hybrid fluid known as geothermal seawater.” Not to mention, the lagoon’s maximum depth is only five feet, making it an incredibly ideal and easy place for relaxation.

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thailand
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Jae Sorn Hot Spring—Thailand

Not only is Thailand one of the most budget-friendly places to travel in the world, but it’s also home to the breathtaking Jae Sorn Hot Spring. Nestled among rocky terrain in Chae Son National Park, this hot spring has an average temperature ranging from 176 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s particularly beautiful during its misty morning hours, the spring’s warm waters create a beautiful ambiance at any time of the day. It’s also common to cook eggs in the hot spring; eggs can be purchased at nearby stands. Check out these gorgeous beaches with the clearest water in the world.

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new zealand
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Inferno Crater Lake—New Zealand

Located in the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley in New Zealand, Inferno Crater Lake is the world’s largest hot spring. Its temperatures range from 95 to 176 degrees Fahrenheit and has a maximum depth of 98 feet. Since Inferno Crater is connected to Frying Pan Lake, their temperatures and water levels depend on where they are in their unique 38-day hydrothermal system cycle. When Inferno Crater’s water levels are low, the lake appears as dull grey color. When its levels are high, the lake glistens with an intense sky blue color.

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Frying Pan Lake—New Zealand

Inferno Crater Lake’s counterpart, Frying Pan Lake, is also located in the Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley in New Zealand. Much like Inferno Crater, it’s also one of the world’s largest hot springs (but not quite as large as Inferno Crater). The lake’s temperatures range from 122 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and has a maximum depth of 66 feet. For more beautiful bodies of water, don’t miss these beautiful pink sand beaches around the world.

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japan
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Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell)—Japan

Out of the eight hot springs in the Hells of Beppu in Japan, Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell) is one of the most beautiful. Surrounded by spacious gardens, this hot spring comes with a history dating back to over 1,300 years ago when Mt. Tsurumi, a nearby volcano, erupted. Umi Jigoku is anything but human-friendly, though. Its maximum depth is an astonishing 656 feet, and its bright blue waters can reach temperatures up to 208 degrees Fahrenheit.

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new zealand
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Maruia Hot Springs—New Zealand

New Zealand seems to be a hotspot for hot springs. Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Southern Alps, the Maruia Hot Springs are located in South Island’s Lewis Pass National Park. Their average temperatures range from 96 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the perfect relaxation spot for both locals and tourists. Don’t miss these 8 perfect photos of nature you won’t believe are real.

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dominica
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Boiling Lake—Dominica

Located in Morne Trois Pitons National Park in Dominica, Boiling Lake takes the title for the second-largest hot spring in the world. The flooded fumarole’s depth is greater than 195 feet and its greyish-blue water’s average temperature ranges from 180 to 197 degrees Fahrenheit. If you plan on visiting, pack your sneakers—Boiling Lake is only accessible via an eight-mile hike.

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australia
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Mataranka Thermal Pool—Australia

Imagine yourself bathing in warm, crystal clear water surrounded by a forest of paperbark and swaying palm trees. That’s exactly what you can expect at Australia’s Mataranka Thermal Pool. As the mild 86 degree water rids you of your aches and pains, the trees around you will expel a gentle breeze, allowing for a truly peaceful experience. Next, check out 15 of the best hot springs in America.

Brittany Gibson
Brittany Gibson is a regular contributor to RD.com’s culture, food, health, and travel sections. She was previously an editorial intern for RD.com and Westchester Magazine. Her articles have appeared on Buzzfeed, Business Insider, AOL, Yahoo, and MSN, among other sites. She earned a BA in English from the University of Connecticut