Best hot springs in Xi’an? Looking for a Xi’an tour that encompasses the Xi’an hot springs?
Maybe you’ve booked a small group Xi’an tour, or your planning to travel solo to Xi’an. Whatever the case, mixing things up to make beautiful memories is what travel’s all about, right?
So most people wouldn’t put the best hot springs and Xi’an in the same sentence. That’s because whenever we think of Xi’an, there’s usually one thing that comes to mind. The Terracotta Army.
Awe-inspiring by any measure, it’s understandable we tick that bucket list item on our tour itinerary.
Hot springs near Xi’an
But what if you’ve time on your side – maybe a free afternoon or evening in your schedule on tour in Xi’an? Wouldn’t it be great to know there are options available, other than shopping and more sightseeing?
Well, the good news is, there are other options.
The Chinese draw on a long, rich history of therapies that contribute to long life and good health. While many of these have been adopted by westerners keen to absorb some Eastern wisdom, certain treatments aren’t practical to move beyond the Chinese border. And Xi’an hot springs are one of them.
But that needed stop you enjoying the benefits while you’re on tour in Xi’an. Few people know the very first hot spring in China was found in Shaanxi province where Xi’an is located. In fact, the province’s history was influenced heavily by the hot springs in the area.
Emperors and their royal courtesans knew they were on a good thing. Over dynasties and centuries, they built resorts and summer houses, taking advantage of the health-giving and restorative nature of these pristine destinations.
Want to soak up life like an emperor and restore aching muscles from walking travel miles?
Let’s take you on a trip through the best Xi’an hot springs so you can.
#1 Huaqing Hot Spring
Huaqing Hot Spring in Xi’an sits at number one on the list of the best Xi’an hot springs.
Over 6,000 years old, the Huaqing Hot Spring remains not only one of the most famous hot springs in China, it is also one of the oldest. Approximately 30 kilometers east of Xi’an City, the former royal spring has become a scenic area for tourists, with a resort now well established and providing every visitor with the pure delight only Chinese emperors and courtesans could enjoy in the past.
Noted for the quality of spring water available, experts believe the water from Huaqing Hot Spring will do more than simply provide relaxation; it will restore your sense of wellbeing too.
Sounds like a natural remedy from heaven.
In Chinese: 华清池温泉
Find Huaqing Hot Spring: 38 Huaqing Road, Lintong District (30 kilometers east of Xi’an City), Xi’an.
#2 Mianxian Hot Spring
Nestled in Southern Shaanxi, about three kilometers away from Mianxian, we have number two on our list of the best Xi’an hot springs.
The Mianxian Hot Spring has an average temperature of 58.2℃ and a daily flow rate of about 5,000 tons of water. This vital spring has been used in therapy since ancient times and has been commissioned as a resort after WWII.
Want healing and health? Make time to visit one or more Xi’an hot springs on your China tour.
Chinese Name: 勉县温泉
Find it: At the foot of Ma’anshan Mountain, Hanzhong City, Shannan
#3 Lantian Tangyu Hot Spring
With an enviable outlook, the iconic Lantian Tangyu Hot Springs shares another distinguished title, that of top 8 best views in Lantian.
Situated about 20 kilometers from Lantian county and 40 kilometers away from downtown Xi’an, the Lantian Tangyu Hot Spring draws both locals and tourists for healing, relaxation, and restoration.
The Chinese love a good saying and it’s fitting there’s one for Tangyu: ‘the water in Tangyu is much more precious than gold’.
As one of the best of Xi’an hot springs, Lantian Tangyu Hot Spring is so popular that even since its beginning at the time of the Tang Dynasty, people far and wide have traveled to gather here, just to take a dip!
When you visit, you’ll understand why.
In Chinese: 蓝田汤浴温泉
Find it: 20 kilometers away from Lantian County, Shaanxi
#4 Meixian Tangyu Hot Spring
China’s emperors had a deep affinity with Meixian Tangyu Hot Spring, so much so, that Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty built a summer residence here and named it the ‘Phoenix Spring Palace’.
Until the start of the Tang Dynasty, Meixian Tangyu Hot Spring was still used as a royal getaway destination during the summer.
Located about 10 kilometers from Xi’an where it’s nestled alongside the gate of Taibaishan National Forest Park, the Meixian Tangyu Hot Spring is also referred to Taibaishan Tangyu Hot Spring by outsiders.
Open from afternoons through to late evening, it’s the perfect way to round out a busy day on tour in Xi’an.
In Chinese: 眉县汤浴温泉
Find it: Tai’an Road, Tangyu County, Taibaishan National Forest Park
#5 Virgie Spring
Number five on our list of the best Xi’an hot springs – and the only hot spring not dignified by royalty – the Virgie Spring in Qia County of the Shaanxi province is a minerally rich spring and has unbelievable scenic surroundings.<