The bathing culture in Northeast China primarily arises from the region's harsh, cold winters, where hot baths offer essential warmth and relaxation. 

Historically, many households lacked private bathing facilities, leading to the proliferation of public bathhouses. These venues evolved into social hubs, allowing people to cleanse, unwind, and foster community ties, often incorporating practices like vigorous scrubbing and steam rooms. Influenced by neighboring cultures such as Russian banyas and Korean jimjilbangs, this tradition blends practical necessity with communal leisure. 

Today, it remains a cherished aspect of local identity, combining hygiene with social interaction and respite from the chilly climate.

It is really cold outside.

In winter, it's so cold that they don't have other forms of entertainment. And taking a bath can also make them warmer. Also, it's a good place to relax.

It's freezing there!

Bathhouses (called "tangzi") are a way to stay warm, socialize, and relax. They've been around for ages—now they're like community hubs.

Hot springs scrubbing chatting? Perfect for cold winters!

In winter it is really cost-effective.

I think it is very economic, because maybe we only need to spend one hundred or two hundred yuan, and then we can take a shower in it, have a dinner in it, play in it and watch some movies, so it's very enjoyable.