Over the holiday, I had the chance to go check out a few hot springs resorts in Tangshan, 30 km outside of Nanjing.

People have been getting naked there for 1,500 years, due to the hot springs and their famously curative waters. It was fenced off as a royal sanitarium for most of that time. These days, though, anyone with a little coin can take the plunge.

The best place for a soak is definitely the Kayumanis. The Nanjing outpost of this legendary, Bali-based retreat chain opened three years ago and promptly landed on Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot List in 2008. Although Kayumanis has handed over day-to-day management to another company, the hardware is still there and the staff go out of their way to stay out of your way.

You see, the Kayumanis is all about privacy. The 21 villas—each over 300 q. meters—are all enclosed by high walls. Inside you’ll find a cold plunge pool and what you came for—your own private hot spring nourished by 50 degree Celsius waters containing numerous healing elements. High walls means no roving eyes. Bathrobes are optional in your private estate, even in cold, early spring weather

Each villa is done up in a different Asian theme. Each stay includes a complimentary massage from a Bali-trained massage masseuse. Take your meals in their lake-side gourmet restaurant. Kids under 12 are not welcome. Luxury isn’t cheap, though. Through March 31, get a two-night weekend stay for RMB9,890 (tax included) with tons of extras.

The next best resort in the area is the EA Spring Hotel right next door. Expect to see tour buses piled up in the parking lot all day, but come evening the place quiets down. Install yourself for RMB580 a night and indulge in one of 10 different types of sauna treatments.

There’s a ton of construction in the area as the big hotel chains move in, so don’t expect beauty as far as the eye can see. But when you’ve got four high walls, your own hot tub and the one you love, what more do you need?

Get to Nanjing on the fast train for around RMB90. If you book Kayumanis, they will arrange pick-up. If not, then get a bus from the west bus station to Tangshan.