Live Your Best Lives
If you were to ask what is the best thing to do when winter comes, then "taking a hot spring bath" would definitely be one of them.
The winter in Xi'an is dry and cold. Pick a sunny and soft day, find a beautiful hot spring with a few friends, soak your whole body in the warm spring water, wait for the pores to slowly open, and the heat to melt the limbs eroded by the cold. That feeling must be extremely happy!
Because it is located at the foot of the Qinling Mountains, the "Dragon's Backbone of China", the hot spring resources around Xi'an can be said to be very rich and are among the best in the country.
From luxurious, high-end star-rated hotels to pristine natural hot springs, from cost-effective, established hot springs to conveniently located city hot springs, a wide range of options are available. Even the renowned poet Bai Juyi described Xi'an's Mount Li Hot Springs as "a bath in the Huaqing Pool in the spring chill, the warm waters washing away the fat."
Winter is here, and it would be a shame not to take a few "hot spring trips" to enjoy this season.
Today, I will take stock of 10 great places for hot spring bathing around Xi’an. If you don’t know how to choose, just read this guide!
Before entering the hot spring, it is best to take a small amount of hot spring water and pour it on your body to allow your body to adapt to the water temperature before soaking in the pool.
When soaking in hot springs, start with a low-temperature bath and, once your body has gradually adapted, move on to a high-temperature bath. Afterward, there's no need to shower; simply rub your body gently with a towel. This allows the trace elements in the hot spring to be better absorbed, achieving both beauty and health benefits.
Tips:
【Precautions for hot spring bathing】
1. Avoid taking a hot spring bath on an empty stomach, after a meal, or after drinking alcohol. There should be at least one hour between taking a hot spring bath and eating.
2. Choose a hot spring pool with high, medium or low temperature that suits you, generally from low temperature to high temperature, each time should not exceed 15 minutes, and replenish water in time.
3. Remember to take off any metal jewelry on your body, otherwise the jewelry will be sulfurized and turn black.
4. When leaving the hot spring after soaking in winter, be sure to keep warm to prevent colds.
5. While soaking, you can close your eyes and meditate to relax your whole body and mind, which will help eliminate fatigue.
Angsana Hotel is a five-star hotel. The hot springs here are designed by professional Japanese hot spring masters. There are 12 private hot spring gardens and 23 outdoor hot springs, as well as nude hot spring pools.
The hotel's architectural style is primarily inspired by Tang Dynasty elements, with pavilions, terraces, towers, and pavilions interspersed with modern design, creating a sense of ancient grandeur yet a touch of modern luxury. The overall environment is tranquil, elegant, and dignified, with captivating greenery and landscaping, creating a tranquil escape.
The five-star environment and service, coupled with the stunning natural scenery, have many people exclaiming that soaking here is truly a pleasure! The hot springs offer a variety of benefits, including red wine and lavender, and leave you feeling refreshed. Free snacks are also available, making this a truly enjoyable getaway.
Tips:
Address: No. 8, Yuechun East Road, Lintong District, Xi'an
Per person: Hot spring 198 yuan/person, accommodation + hot spring 500 yuan/person
Opening hours: 06:30-23:00
When it comes to the Aegean Sea, everyone will definitely think of romantic Greece first. But in fact, there is a great place for leisure and vacation right here in our neighborhood - Huaqing Aegean International Hot Spring Hotel.
Aegean Sea is highly regarded in Xi'an's hot spring community. Its beautiful setting, bordered by the Huaqing Hot Springs, a Tang Dynasty imperial garden, to the east, blends bathing culture, hot spring tourism, and the court culture of the heyday of the Tang Dynasty. Over 50 distinct hot spring pools, each with its own unique function, include the Imperial Concubine Pool, Jasmine Essence Pool, Agarwood Pool, Herbal Pool, Jade Pool, Tea Pool, and Fish Pool, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the relaxation and pleasure of returning to nature.
The hot spring waters of the Aegean Sea flow through the Huaqing Hot Springs underground, rich in various minerals and possessing excellent therapeutic and health benefits. The rest area also offers free fruit and bathrobes, a thoughtful touch that makes it a perfect place for a family vacation.
Tips:
Address: No. 8 Shaangu Avenue, Xi'an-Lintong Expressway Exit
Per person: Hot spring 175 yuan/person, accommodation + hot spring 270 yuan/person
Business hours: Sunday-Thursday 13:00-24:00 Friday-Saturday 13:00-01:00
"One smile makes her look charming, and all the beauties in the palace pale in comparison. In the cold spring, I am granted a bath in Huaqing Pool, and the warm spring water washes away my fat skin."
Huaqing Palace, a Tang Dynasty palace built on Mount Li, is renowned for its hot springs. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang had a special fondness for it and later fell in love with Yang Yuhuan there, a love story that revolved around the hot springs at Huaqing Palace.
The waters of Huaqing Hot Spring, renowned as "the world's finest imperial spring," maintain a constant temperature of 43°C year-round, offering exceptional health benefits. As a vital component of the Huaqing Palace, the Huaqing Imperial Hot Spring exudes a rich imperial charm, both in its exterior and interior. Here, you can personally experience the bathing regimen of Yang Guifei, a truly unique experience.
Tips:
Address: No. 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District, Xi'an, Huaqing Palace Scenic Area
Per person: starting from 259 yuan
A hot spring pool nestled at the foot of Taibai Mountain, the main peak of the majestic Qinling Mountains, boasts a 99% forest coverage rate and abundant oxygen. It's truly a "natural oxygen bar."
Taibai Mountain Yulongwan Hot Spring takes "Taibai Mountain Hot Spring Culture" as its theme, creating themed hot spring areas such as Rainforest, Taibai Wonderland, Thatched Cottage Hidden in the Clouds, Zen Tea Culture, and Beautiful Island Beauty.
Yulong Bay's scenery is often described as "bathing in the water, like swimming in a painting," simply because it's so breathtaking. Over 70 hot spring pools, private yet intimately connected to nature, offer a uniquely designed, relaxing, idyllic retreat. A short hot spring trip is a perfect way to unwind after a day of work.
Tips:
Address: Taibai Mountain International Ecotourism Resort, Mei County, Baoji City
Average price per person: starting from 213 yuan
“A person can be an immortal only when he lives in the mountains, quietly soaking in the holy soup of Phoenix Spring.”
What's most unique about Phoenix Hot Springs is that its water contains ammonia, a rare gas known as the "noble of hot springs." Extracted from high-quality deep-seated mineral springs 2,000 meters below the surface, the water reaches a temperature of 72 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for human health and wellness.
Pick a leisurely weekend and come to the foot of Taibai Mountain. Everywhere you look are forests, snow-capped mountains, meadows, and endless wilderness... Just thinking about it can make you forget the noise and fatigue of living in the city for a long time and return to a natural life.
Tips:
Address: Taibai Mountain International Ecotourism Resort, Mei County, Baoji City
Average price per person: starting from 88 yuan
At the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains and at the foot of Mount Zhongnan, there is a hotel called Qinling Shangwang Hot Spring.
The hot springs, sourced from high-quality rock formations deep beneath the surface, are a rare radon-rich spring at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains, known as the "Spring of Rejuvenation." A soak in the hot springs not only refreshes a tired body but also offers an ideal place for self-cultivation and self-improvement.
Shangwang Hot Springs boasts 37 unique hot spring pools, six chess and card rooms, 26 guest rooms, and three meeting rooms. There's also a cafe, light meals, and delicious French teppanyaki! On a relaxing weekend, bring your family to soak in the hot springs and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature while savoring exquisite cuisine. It's a truly unforgettable experience!
Tips:
Address: Qinling Shangwang Hot Spring Hotel, 7th Street, Shangwang Village
Per capita: hot spring 168 yuan/person, accommodation + hot spring 440 yuan/person
Opening hours: 13:00-21:00
Careful friends will find an interesting thing. Most of the hot springs around Xi'an seem to be related to "history", "celebrity" and "historical sites", such as Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Bai Juyi, Li Bai, Wang Wei, and Qin Shihuang and Afang Palace to be discussed next.
Daqin Hot Spring Water World, located within the Qin Shi Huang Shangtiantai Ruins Park, is Shaanxi's only "Qin Culture"-themed hot spring. The hot spring area comprises 56 pools across six themed zones: the Prosperous Era Zone, the Blooming Flowers Zone, the World's Most Powerful Zone, the Functional Therapy Zone, and the Joyful Water Play Zone. The therapeutic hot springs, including the Ice and Fire Spring, the Slate Spring, the Mineral Sand Spring, the Fish Therapy, and the Waterfall Temperature Difference Hot Spring, are particularly recommended.
Qin Shi Huang was the first emperor in Chinese history. When you walk into the "Unified World" area of the hot springs, you will have a vision of the unification of the six kingdoms and a prosperous era. It is definitely suitable for friends who like history to visit here.
Tips:
Address: Inside the Qin Shi Huang Shangtiantai Ruins Park of Afang Palace
Average price per person: 130 yuan
Having talked about Huaqing Hot Spring, Apang Palace, and Taibai Mountain in Qinling Mountains, when you come to Shaanxi, the destination you cannot miss is of course Mount Hua!
Huashan Royal Hot Spring Resort is located at the foot of Mount Hua, one of the Five Great Mountains. It is the first theme tourist area in the country that integrates weapons entertainment, hot spring health care, leisure, vacation and entertainment.
Located at the foot of Mount Hua, Yinquan offers excellent water quality, a large area, and timely replenishment. Because it's far from the city, many visitors come here primarily for vacation, seeking a short stay to escape the city's hustle and bustle and relax.
The biggest feature of Huashan Royal Hot Springs is their excellent service! It's said to be comparable to Haidilao's service, haha. If you have the means, you can book a garden-style villa here, which comes with a private hot spring pool and viewing area. It can be said to be a very luxurious experience.
Tips:
Address: 2 km north of Luofu Town, Huayin City
Per person: Hot spring 179 yuan/person, accommodation + hot spring 336 yuan/person
Business hours: 10:00-00:00
There are many hot spring resorts around the world, but when it comes to history, I believe few hot springs can compare with Tangyu Hot Spring.
As the saying goes, "To see 3,000 years of China, look no further than Xi'an." Tangyu Bishuiwan Hot Spring has a long history, dating back to the Han Dynasty and reaching its peak in the Tang Dynasty. It is known for its reputation of "hot spring water in March with peach blossoms, and spring breeze intoxicating people who don't want to go home," and has therefore been a bathing place for royal families since ancient times.
Tangyu Hot Springs is the largest open-air hot spring resort in Northwest China. Its springs contain dozens of beneficial minerals, and long-term bathing can boost metabolism and improve health and beauty. Each of the hotel's pools, including the Snow Melting Bath, the Jade Maiden Bath, the Carp Bath, the Pearl Water Bath, and the Jade Water Bath, has its own unique story.
Next to the hot springs are a water therapy bar, a water barbecue bar, a Taibai bar, a Tangsheng theater, a folk restaurant, etc. It is a good choice to eat delicious food and drink some wine after soaking in the hot springs.
Tips:
Per person: Adult ticket 29 yuan/person
Address: Tangyu Hot Spring Resort, Tangyu Town, Lantian County, Xi'an
Louguandao Hot Spring Hotel is located in Louguantai, the birthplace of Chinese Taoism and known as "the most blessed place in the world".
17 open-air hot spring pools of various sizes are designed on the hillside of Zhongnan Mountain, surrounded by dense green shade, giving a feeling of primitive secret realm.
The radon-containing hot spring water here can stimulate the contraction and dilation of blood vessels in the skin, regulating cardiovascular function. A soak in this water is truly refreshing, earning it the nickname "The Fountain of Youth." Each small pool is infused with different Chinese herbs based on the changing solar terms. Soaking in the hot spring water while maintaining your health, while gazing at the distant mountains and nearby waters, is truly relaxing!
Different from other hot spring hotels, the biggest feature here is the strong "Taoist" culture. When you enter the room, every scene and every pattern is permeated with the life philosophy of "enjoying life with joy and mountains and rivers".
What’s even more exquisite is that when you check into the hotel, you will find that the room is filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, which will involuntarily calm your restless heart and enjoy the beauty of the moment.
Tips:
Address: Louguantai, Zhouzhi County, south of Xi'an
Average price per person: starting from 118 yuan
After the beginning of winter, the temperature in Xi'an dropped significantly, and the plane trees on both sides of the street shed their leaves after a rain.
In the cold of winter, besides scorching roasted sweet potatoes, sweet sugar-roasted chestnuts, steaming soup dumplings, and spicy hot pot...if there's anything more heartwarming than soaking in a beautiful hot spring! This winter, join us for a soak!
