There are rare metals such as Li, Be, Rb, Cs, Sb, Tl, Mo and other trace elements in active hot springs in Tengchong area of Yunnan Province. The enrichment of Li, Rb, Cs, W is the most significant, with the values of Li, Rb, Cs and W in hot springs averaged at 2895. 1 μg/L, 839. 8 μg/L, 417. 9 μg/L and 61. 74 μg/L, respectively, which are generally higher than those of Cu, Pb, Zn (13. 6 μg/L, 0. 24 μg/L and 6. 83 μg/L respectively). The contents of precious metals and rare earth elements such as Au, Ag are very low, which are basically below the detection limit. In addition, the content of rare metals in spring water with higher temperature also increases, and helium isotope data show that there is not only the supply of mantlederived materials in hot springs, but also the content of rare metals increases with the contribution of mantlederived components. Therefore, hot spring activity can lead to the enrichment and mineralization of rare metals. In view of the extensive and intense hydrothermal activity in Tengchong area and the relatively stable content of Li in hot springs in recent 20 years, it can be concluded that hot springs can not only form rare metal deposits, but also have a relatively fast speed. The amount of lithium that comes out of hydrothermal activity can reach more than 500 tons a year. The oreforming effect of rare metals by hot spring is better than that of precious metals, rare earth, copper, lead and zinc. It is of great theoretical and practical significance to study the metallogenic mechanism of hot spring rare metals in the search for hydrothermal alteration or hot spring sedimentary rare metal deposits in Sanjiang area of southwest China.