Xiaotangshan has a long history of geothermal hot spring. The use of hot spring water can be traced back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties period of China, dating back over 1,500 years ago. The Xiaotangshan hot springs has records of early emperors using the springs for medical baths. The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty built the Xiaotangshan imperial palace and inscribed "九华兮秀". The hot spring water contains minerals and trace elements such as strontium, lithium, selenium, and other silicic acid mineral elements. Xiaotangshan has rich geothermal resources. In Xiaotangshan center, resources are within 30 kilometers of ground water. Deep geothermal water depth in regions ranging from about 150–1400 meters to Xiaotangshan for the most shallow, less than one hundred meters. Due to the different regions and the depth of water, the water temperature is different, mostly in the 40-50 ℃, the highest in the central area of Xiaotangshan 55-64 ℃.
Economy
In 1994, Xiaotangshan town was named the pilot town for the construction of small towns in Beijing. In 1995, it was identified as the national pioneer town of comprehensive reform. In 2002, it was named by the United Nations Development as the small pilot town for sustainable development in China. In 2003 it was named "National Environmentally Beautiful Town" by the NationalEnvironmental Protection Administration. In 2004, it was identified as the first batch of national development and Reform pilot town and the Ministry of Construction and other six ministries identified it as one of the 1887 focus town. In 2005, the China Mining Association named Xiaotangshan as "Chinese hot springs town", and the National Steering Committee awarded it as "spiritual civilization advanced the town".
Features
Xiaotangshan Palace, The Hot Springs and The Xiaotangshan Dragon Venture Hot Springs Plaza.
, a hospital near Xiaotangshan hot spring, which became famous during the 2003 SARS epidemic. This saw a sudden increase in patients with the same condition and similar needs, and so an additional 'Rehabilitation Hospital' was built adjacent to the hospital site in little more than a week. The temporary structure, built of prefabricated units and with a service life of 3 years, was operational for 51 days in 2003, from April 30 to June 20. Subsequently it was 'quietly abandoned' and in 2010 was to be demolished. It was rebuilt due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Xiaotangshan Modern Agricultural Science Demonstration Park, the largest modern agricultural park in China.