Wulingshan Eye Stone Spring

Nestled at the base of Mount Wuling, part of the Yanshan mountain range in Hebei Province, China, Eye Stone Spring is set within a breathtaking natural landscape enriched by cultural heritage. This region is home to historical landmarks such as the Mutianyu and Jinshanling sections of the Great Wall, serving as a bridge between nature and history. The hot spring retreat is positioned where steep cliffs to the west meet an expansive river valley plain to the east, with dramatic rock formations sculpting the undulating terrain. The site is enveloped by lush poplar forests, where mist weaves through dense foliage, heightening the sense of seclusion. A meandering forest path leads to the newly developed Aranya resort community—a tranquil enclave that harmonizes with the mountainous terrain. The journey through the woodland unfolds like an invitation into a hidden sanctuary, where architecture and nature exist in quiet dialogue.

➤ Original Site, photograghy by Vector Architects

➤ Aerial view, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects

Designed with minimal impact on the terrain, the structure is elevated above the sloping forest floor. Eye Stone Spring is envisioned as a finely tuned architectural instrument, subtly placed within the terrain. Vector Architects applied a bush-hammered finish to the concrete surfaces, achieving a rugged, stone-like texture that echoes the surrounding rock formations. Rising 23 meters, the building is punctuated by eight slender cylindrical skylights that channel natural light deep into the interior, shaping a contemplative and meditative bathing experience. From afar, the structure subtly blends into the woodland, establishing a quiet dialogue with its surroundings.

➤ North elevation, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects

➤ Detail of the north elevation and the pilotis, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects

The three above-ground levels of Eye Stone Spring are thoughtfully structured to balance spatial experience with functionality. The west side accommodates vertically stacked bathing areas, while the eastern core integrates vertical circulation and essential services, ensuring fluid movement between levels. These two sections are connected by glazed corridors, creating an open and continuous spatial flow. This vertical configuration enhances interaction with the landscape, framing evolving perspectives of the poplar forest, sheer cliffs, and rolling mountain ridges at each level. Like a meticulously composed cinematic sequence, these dynamic perspectives immerse visitors in an unfolding dialogue with the landscape. At the ground level, a five-meter-high teak-clad volume anchors the functional core, encompassing the reception, locker rooms, and grooming areas. High clerestory windows along the corridor provide natural light, ventilation, and privacy. The interplay of light, material, and spatial flow fosters a seamless transition between interior and exterior, deepening the hot spring’s meditative atmosphere.

➤ West elevation, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects

➤ The pilotis, photograghy by Tian Fangfang · Vector Architects

➤ View from the woods to the lounge, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects 

➤ Side scuttle, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects

On the second level, the relaxation lounge is suspended within the canopy of poplar trees. Enclosed by floor-to-ceiling glass, the space offers uninterrupted views of the surrounding forest. When the upper clerestory windows open, fresh air filters through, transforming the lounge into a floating woodland pavilion. As night falls, sculptural concrete pendant lights diffuse a soft glow across the ceiling, subtly echoing the skylights above. The third-floor bathing area is nestled beneath the cylindrical light wells, where pools of varying temperatures and water treatments are enclosed by curving concrete walls. Here, light drifts through rising mist, refracting off the water’s surface and tracing ephemeral patterns across the curved concrete walls—a delicate choreography of light, water, and vapor in constant motion. Strip windows positioned just above the waterline on the western façade offer glimpses of the valley beyond, allowing bathers to feel immersed in the vast natural landscape.

➤ View from the lounge to the cliff, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects

➤ Spring pool, photograghy by Tian Fangfang · Vector Architects

➤ Spring pool, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects

More than a thermal retreat, Eye Stone Spring is an immersive journey—one that heightens the senses and fosters a deep connection between body, mind, and nature. Here, architecture and nature intertwine in quiet harmony, shaping a sanctuary for contemplation, renewal, and an intimate dialogue with the land. Through its refined yet elemental presence, the structure honors the natural landscape, inviting visitors into an environment where built form and ecology exist in quiet harmony.

➤ Cold water shower, photograghy by Tian Fangfang · Vector Architects

➤ Staircase and skylight, photograghy by Liu Guowei · Vector Architects