Travel To Wellness Inc.

SHANGHAI SPAS

Tai Chi at sunrise, 24-hour bathhouses, reflexology centers, a burst of luxury spas and one of the oldest medicine disciplines in the world - Judy Chapman gives Travel to Wellness readers a close-up look at Shanghai spas and all the bustling city has to offer the wellness-minded.
 

Judy selects a sampling of Shanghai's best spas.

by Judy Chapman

‘You are very hot,’ said the handsome Shanghainese man as I lay almost naked upon his table. This was no lead up to a steamy affair however. I was flat on my back inside a tiny room at a local massage center in the city of Shanghai where you can duck in for a half-hour Gua Sha or Cupping session to return you to balance.

The Chinese have long known how to spa. At any given time of the day or night you will find locals receiving their weekly reflexology sessions to keep their health in check. There are bathhouses open 24 hours where one can spend several hours immersing in water therapies, taking treatments, saunas and eating – all in the name of wellbeing and longevity. And, of course, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest healing disciplines on earth.

‘It’s Shanghai’s time to shine,’ a local told me and after a few days in this exciting city I found this to be true.

Gazing out of the 30th-floor window of my hotel I witness the birth and death of a city. Below are thousands of small dwellings and laneways where up to twenty families reportedly share facilities. On the other side, is the emerging Shanghai, silver scrapers, pollution and all. The scene before me demonstrated perfectly the synchronicity of life – that there cannot be growth without decay and that everything in life is ever changing.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons I have spent the past several years exploring spas around the world. For the beauty of these havens is that many of ancient beauty and bathing traditions are being revived and kept alive and China is no exception.

What’s fascinating is that many seemingly beautifying treatments are categorized as Chinese medical treatments. The ‘Shanghainese Pedicure’ is a good example, where the ‘therapist’ uses a set of tools to scrape and shave your feet to new.

During my journey, I was fortunate to spend time with Professor Dong Jing-Cheng from the Hua Shan Hospital of Fudon University in Shanghai who is also the Director of the Department of Chinese Integrative Medicine in China.

”Traditional Chinese Medicine is no longer only an ancient or traditional medicine but very part of modern medicine,” he explained. “There is no such thing as western medicine only modern medicine.”

The good news is that Chinese Medicine is gaining in popularity. At clinics in Guangzhou, located near Hong Kong and Taiwan, up to 60% of their 80 patients each day are foreigners – most of whom come in for Acupuncture to alleviate common complaints such as RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).

With the 2008 Olympics approaching and the fact that China’s a hot zone for manufacturing and business, then little wonder there are now dozens of high-end luxury spas which will integrate TCM treatments into their spas. Creators are reaching back in time for inspiration and are reviving some exciting Emperors and Empress rituals that were once practiced in ancient palaces. Imagine Hot Jade rocks smoothed across your skin to alleviate muscle pain and Bamboo Stick Tapping where the physician lightly taps your body with bamboo sticks to increase circulation.

As Professor Dong explained, the future is Integrative.

Here are a few of the best spas in Shanghai:

FIVE-STAR LUXURY

• Chi spa The Spa at Pudong Shangri-Lais a beautiful haven away from it all. Inside your very own spa suite (private steam, shower, bathing facilities and changing room inclusive) you can embark on their signature Himalayan and oriental inspired rituals. Recommended is ‘The Travelers Retreat’ for those who are in town on business and need to relieve muscle aches and stress.

• The spa at The Four Seasons Hotel (www.fourseasons.com) is simply Shanghai’s best when it comes to a sanctuary-like environment. Early next year will unveil their signature spa that will take spa in Shanghai to a new level. Rumors are they will introduce a host of exceptional Chinese derived treatments on their menu.

ORIENTAL-CHIC

• Step from the streets into Dragonfly (www.dragonfly.net.cn), a brand of contemporary oriental-chic outlets dotted around the city that caters well to city living. On the menu are affordable Chinese massages and reflexology alongside Japanese Shiatsu and aromatherapy massages.

• The Kanjung Massage Center (021-63401661) delivers exceptional Chinese treatments including Cupping and Gua Shua. Not to be missed!

HOTEL SPAS

• Mandara Spa (www.mandaraspa.com) at the JW Marriott Hotel is a gorgeous little spa. Interiors that are reminiscent of a small Chinese village with windy dim-lit corridors create a warming effect. The Chinese massage I sampled here was exceptional.

• The Banyan Tree Spa (www.banyantree.com) located inside The Westin Hotel. Each treatment room is designed to reflect the five elements – earth, fire, gold, water and wood with treatments to match.
I-Spa at The Intercontinental (www.ichotelsgroup.com) offers good Jurlique hydrating facials (ask for their head therapist).

DAY SPAS
• Three at Bund (www.threeonthebund.com) offers well-delivered Clarins facials. Inside, their spa looks and feels like a 1980’s art gallery and a treatment here is a must if only for its location on the bund, a strip of exquisite buildings overlooking the river.

LOCAL SPAS
• Blind Massage – The Funing Point Pressure Massage Center of Blind People.

• Lotus Massage- (117 Ruijin Er Lu, Near Fuxing Zhong Lu, tel. 133-4178-8015) is a favorite for no-frills good quality massages

• 24-hour bathhouse for great Tui Na Chinese massages - Tai Yang Dao (Changping Lu 317, tel. 62552118) is highly recommended.



 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Judy Chapman is an Asia-based author and spa journalist.