To reveal the effect on the bearing characteristics of piles from thermal and rheological properties of frozen soil, experimental analysis on thermal and rheological responses was conducted. Using a self-designed large-scale test apparatus, several laboratory model tests on the bearing characteristics of piles in the frozen ground were performed under different temperatures and loading processes. The thermal and rheological responses of axial force and shaft resistance were analyzed. Results show that, firstly, the ground temperature has a significant effect on the foundation stiffness. With a higher ground temperature (about -3 ℃), the pile stiffness reduces to only 1/10 of that when the temperature is lower (about -6 ℃). Secondly, with the lower ground temperature, the axial force decreases rapidly along the depth, and shaft resistance is large on the top and small on the bottom, that is, the upper part of the pile ( about upper 1/3) bears the major load. On the contrary, with the higher ground temperature, the axial force distribution becomes relatively gentle along the whole pile length, and the shaft resistance on the deeper pile obtains an increasing exertion correspondingly. Thirdly, the rheological effect has a significant influence on the development and variation of shaft resistance. Due to the rheological effect, shaft resistance has a significant decrease of more than 200 kPa in the load-holding stage. Furthermore, the rheological effect is also affected by ground temperature and load level. When the ground temperature increases, the relaxation of shaft resistance resulting from the rheological effect is nearly 50% of the initial value. When the load level increases, the rheological effect presents a developing trend that increases first and then decreases. The bearing characteristics of piles in frozen soil have significant thermal and rheological responses, which must be considered in practical engineering design, operation, and maintenance. The results of this study can provide theoretical support for engineering practice.