How to get to City of Tears?

Learning how to get to City of Tears is essential for progressing through Hollow Knight's interconnected world of Hallownest. This atmospheric underground metropolis serves as one of the game's major hub areas, connecting multiple regions and housing crucial story elements.

Primary Route: Through the Soul Sanctum

The most straightforward path to City of Tears begins in the Forgotten Crossroads. Head to the upper-left area of the Crossroads and locate the Acid Pools. You'll need to carefully navigate the corrosive liquid while avoiding the dangerous enemies in this section.

From the Acid Pools, make your way upward to find the entrance to the Soul Sanctum. This area requires some platforming skills and the Vengeful Spirit spell to break certain barriers. Progress through the Soul Sanctum by defeating Soul Twisters and navigating the vertical chambers until you reach the top.

Alternative Routes

Via Dirtmouth Elevator

Once you've obtained the City Crest from the Soul Sanctum, you can activate the elevator in Dirtmouth that provides direct access to City of Tears. This becomes the fastest route for future visits.

Through the Royal Waterways

Advanced players can access City of Tears through the Royal Waterways by using the Desolate Dive ability to break through certain floors, though this route is more challenging and typically used for speedruns.

What You'll Need

- Vengeful Spirit spell (essential for breaking blocks)

- Dash ability for platforming

- Sufficient health upgrades recommended

Tips for Success

Bring plenty of Soul for healing, as the journey can be treacherous for newcomers. The Soul Sanctum enemies provide excellent opportunities to practice combat techniques you'll need throughout Hallownest.

Once you reach this hauntingly beautiful area, you'll discover numerous shops, NPCs, and pathways to explore. The City of Tears opens up entirely new regions of Hallownest, making it a pivotal milestone in your underground adventure.