“TRAVELING is one of the most exciting and relaxing things in life. The enchanting environment and picturesque view of mountains and azure sea are always making me feel full of energy and calm in mind and body,” said Ming Xia, a 35-year-old travel lover who also pays close attention to her health.

With the “lung-clearing tour” getting more and more popular, people go into the mountains to clear their eyes and minds with wide-open green landscapes, and clear their skin with mineral waters of natural hot springs. Combining wellness and travel together, a retreat tour offers people complete fulfillment by providing local culture, sightseeing and food, as well as a rejuvenation of body and spirit.

Yoga retreat

Summer is here. The temperature rises and yang, or hot, energy is surging. It’s time for a new health regime including a new diet and more exercise. Regular exercise is recommended in every season to strengthen the immune system.

A yoga retreat holiday is a great opportunity to become immersed not only in the yoga but also in a local culture, cuisine and environment, says Andrea Scarborough, a certificated yoga teacher from the US.

Doing yoga regularly can help people become more aware of the seasonal changes within the body and to make necessary adjustments.

• Nankun Mountain National Forest Park

With nearly 97 percent plant coverage, the Nankun Mountain National Forest Park in southern China’s Guangdong Province features original forest, a sea of bamboo, waterfalls and precious plants. In this enchanting environment, the Lotus Living Luxury Yoga Retreats offers a tailor-made retreat inside Crosswaters Ecolodge & Spa featuring inspirational yoga, wellness and healing.

Strolling down the mountain path, you can see an elegant pavilion with floor-to-ceiling windows where two streams cross. The yoga mat, brick and band are neatly placed on the ground.

After the yoga class, you are treated to a cup of hot ginger lemon tea to help relieve the fatigue of practice. The tea break offers a chance to communicate with yoga teachers and classmates.

Start every day with vegetables and fruits freshly picked from the fields. Hiking to the top of the mountain, you can enjoy the panoramic view of Nankun Mountain. There are cooking classes of local delicacies and a health class.

 “This can be an amazingly transformational experience regardless of the season, free from the distractions and responsibility of your daily life,” said Scarborough.

The second season is scheduled on August 3 to 8. Contact info@lotuslivingyoga.com for registration.

• Mandarin Oriental Sanya

Nestled in the Coral Bay, Mandarin Oriental Sanya offers yoga and pilates classes, providing a completely holistic approach to health to leave you feeling reinvigorated. You can practice on the verdant lawn, beach or seaside.

You can also experience the healing powers of qigong and tai chi from the Shaolin kung fu master. At the tranquil sanctuary of fragrant tropical bloom, you will be transporting yourself into another world.

Hot spring retreat

Soaking in hot springs and sipping a glass of bubbles with the gentle breeze from the sea is romantic. The hot springs also have a very high mineral content containing everything from simple calcium to lithium, and even radium. The hot spring retreat holiday is a perfect choice for family fun.

• Nantong Xiaoyangkou Port

The hot spring at the Xiaoyangkou Port area in Jiangsu Province, as healing mineral hot spring water, contains 2,058 milligrams of ion per kilogram of water.

The 76-degree Celsius sodium sulfate spring, discovered 1,073 meters below the surface, has properties that help fight inflammation, activate the immune system, help heal injuries and help with post-trauma rehabilitation.

Hot springs make for a soothing getaway. A good long soak can rejuvenate the mind and body.

• Wuyi hot springs

Wuyi County, in the center of Zhejiang Province, is the region’s best spot for naturally heated spa pools since it is rich in hot springs. The scenic Qingshuiwan Hot Spring is a very popular choice. Every day more than 4,000 tons of water from 330 meters underground, rich in sodium, sulfates and other minerals, flows through the area. On the edge of the city atop a secluded hill, Tangfeng Hot Spring Resort features an outdoor area of 30 different pools with all manner of different ingredients in the water from milk and coffee to rice wine. Other pools contain aloe, green tea and ginseng.

Mountain retreat

The “lung-clearing tour” is getting more and more popular due to the smog weather. The mountains with around 95 percent plant coverage are great options. Given the recent smog, some travel agencies have promoted tours to places known for good air quality like the southern Chinese cities of Guilin, Lijiang and Sanya and overseas destinations of Bali, the Maldives and Phuket. Here we pick some weekend getaways that near Shanghai.

• Lingyin Mountain

For those who look to experience a peaceful lifestyle, hiking in the mountains is a good option. The Lingyin Mountain in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, is famous for the Lingyin Temple whose name translates as “Temple of the Soul’s Retreat.” It is one of the largest Buddhist temples in China, containing numerous pagodas and grottoes.

Tea ceremonies are an important part of Hangzhou’s Buddhist lifestyle and they illustrate the religion in a simple yet delicate way. Pouring boiling water over cured tea leaves, watching them stretch in the water and inhaling the aroma are one of life’s pleasures. When you get tired of hiking, you can have a rest at the tea house with nice views of the surrounding mountains, forests and creeks. You can also try the Buddhist meals. The simple vegetarian meal is exactly what the monks eat each day. A small portion of rice and seasonal vegetables grown by the monks are served with soup or porridge.

• Le Passage Mohkan Shan

Relaxing with family at an enchanting mountain villa is also a good choice for holiday. The Le Passage Mohkan Shan in the famous Moganshan area is special for its origin as a family project. Firstly discovered as the tea plantation, it then is converted a barn into a weekend getaway. With the beautiful landscape, the Chinese and French architectural style of building makes you feel simple and calm.

Moganshan Mountain is also a paradise for cycling enthusiasts. For a challenge, hit the mountains and the steep dirt roads through the bamboo forest. Or if you want a leisurely ride, stick to the flat, paved roads that meander around the region's beautiful water reservoirs.