Shaanxi is a landlocked province in north-central China that served as the cradle of Chinese civilization and the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road. Home to the world-famous Terracotta Army, the Ming-dynasty Xi'an City Wall, and the sacred cliffs of Mount Hua, Shaanxi pairs 3,000 years of imperial history with the hearty noodle-and-lamb cuisine of the Loess Plateau.
Top spas
Curated picks for treatments and day spas.
Signature treatments
Local specialties worth seeking out.
Massage
Traditional Chinese Tui Na massage widely available in Xi'an from around ¥150 (~$21) per hour; hotel spa massage from $80
Hammam
Not a traditional offering in Shaanxi; some international hotel spas offer steam-room facilities alongside massage treatments
Body
Cupping and gua sha available at TCM clinics from ¥50–100 (~$7–14); herbal compress treatments at hotel spas from $60
Facial
Basic facials from ¥150 (~$21) at city spas; TCM-informed herbal facials at specialist clinics from ¥200 (~$28)
Wellness travel tips
Get the most from your wellness experience.
Book hotel spa treatments at least 24–48 hours in advance during peak travel periods such as National Day and Spring Festival
Huaqing Palace's historic bathing pools are for viewing only — modern bathing facilities are in a separate spa annex on site
Weekday visits to Tangyu Hot Springs avoid the weekend crowds from Xi'an
TCM consultations at the Shaanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine are considerably lower cost than hotel spa treatments and offer an authentic local experience
Winter is a good time for hot spring visits — the contrast between cold air and thermal water is part of the appeal