Healing Touch - Beijing’s World of Massage
One of the true pleasures of life in the capital is indulging in the astonishing variety of massages offered here, from traditional Chinese tui na (推拿, acupressure) body-bending Thai, Indian Ayurvedic and gentle Swedish-style rubdowns. Try a relaxing, rejuvenating massage at one of these salons.
Aibosen Blindman Massage 北京爱博森盲人按摩院
Aibosen’s blind masseuses – said to have an enhanced sense of touch and therefore a special talent for massage – have earned a solid reputation. The emphasis here is very much on the massage, which is deep and invigorating – don’t expect to be pampered in luxurious surroundings with new age music and scented candles. Full body massages cost RMB 88/hr, and ten-massage packages are offered at RMB 700.
Daily10am-1.30am. 11A Liufang Beili,Yonghegong, Dongcheng District. (6465 2044) 东城区柳芳北里甲11号
I-Spa 泰美好
The massages offered at I-Spa are a blend of styles that could be described as “Mixed Massage Arts” (MMA). In the synchronized massage (RMB 800/hr), two therapists combine Indian Ayurvedic and Western massage techniques. They’ve also devised a Thai and Western-inspired “Invigorating Massage” (RMB 488/hr), and offer a more conventional Thai rubdown (RMB 558/ 90min, RMB 658/2hr) as well.
Daily 10am-midnight. B1/F, Traders Upper East Hotel, Upper East Side, Dongsihuan Beilu, Chaoyang District. (5907 8877) 朝阳区东四环北路阳光上东上东盛贸饭店地下1层
Mint Spa 薄荷水疗馆
Select from among Swedish, Balinese, or Indian massages (RMB 268/hr, RMB 298/90 min), or if you want to go for the extra indulgence, there’s the “four-hand massage” in any of the above styles (RMB 498/hr, RMB 680/90 min).
Daily 11am-midnight. G/F, FX Hotel, Yansha, Liangma River, Chaoyang District. (6584 8007) 朝阳区亮马河畔富驿时尚酒店G层
Oriental Taipan Massage and Spa 东方大班
Aside from its famous foot massages, Oriental Taipan has an impressive list of services covering all the essentials of Chinese TCM massage, including neck and spine specialized work (178/hr), to a full-body tui na experience (RMB 168/hr). Complimentary snacks are served with every massage. Visit www.taipan.com.cn for the full list of locations.
Daily 11am-12.30am. 2/F, Block 9, Lido Place, 2A Fangyuan Xilu, Chaoyang District. (6437 6299)
Taidian Massage Salon 泰殿养生会馆
Known for its unique Thai style massages, Taidian also offers more traditional TCM-style massages and packages for both foot reflexology and full body acupressure massages (RMB 180/2 hr).
Daily 10am-2am. Rm 305, Bldg 6, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 8200) 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho 6号楼305室
The Commune by Anantara 安娜塔拉
Lying at the foot of the Great Wall, The Commune is a bit out of the way, but its remote location lends to the therapeutic atmosphere of its first class spa. Anantara offers perhaps the widest range of foreign massage styles available in the capital. These include a Balinese massage (RMB 780/90 min), a non-oiled traditional Thai massage (RMB 680/90 min) and a Thai “herbal healer” (RMB 880/90 min) using special oils to heat and heal the body. The Ayurvedic options include an Indian head massage (RMB 480/hr) and a full body Ayurvedic Massage (RMB 780/90 min). Many of the services include a complimentary floral footbath and refreshments, but a 15% service charge applies.
Daily 10am-10pm. Kempinsky Hotel, Commune by the Great Wall, Shuiguan Great Wall, Badaling Gaosulu, Yanqing County. (8118 1888) 延庆县八达岭高速路水关长城出口长城脚下的公社凯宾斯基饭店
Tibmed Spa 旗舰店
This center is solely devoted to traditional Tibetan-style therapy and relaxation and is one of the few places in town where you can experience an authentic and relaxing Ku-Nye (pronounced Coon-yee) massage. The full body massage (RMB 288/hr) and back and shoulders massage (RMB 238/30 min) utilize completely natural oils in traditional Tibetan style. If you join their Tibetan pass program for RMB 550, you receive RMB 788 worth of services, a 30% discount.
Mon-Fri, noon–10 pm, Sat-Sun 11am–10pm.133 Beisihuan Donglu, Chaoyang District. (6491 9816) 朝阳区北四环东路133号
