The Best Spas in Shanghai: Riverfront Wellness Sanctuaries, Traditional Chinese Treatments, and More
As the largest city in China, Shanghai reigns as a bustling and vibrant epicenter. Known as the "Magic City" because of its race to modernize, the Asian destination is rapidly changing. It has the greatest number of skyscrapers of any other city in China.
Friends who've grown up in Shanghai say it looks different every time they return—and they love it! Shanghai sits on the East China Sea as a gateway to the rest of the vast country, nestled between two busy waterways: the Huangpu River and the Yangtze River that wind deep into China's interior.
It's the most populous city in China, though Beijing is the official capital. The palpable vibrancy has contributed to its energy, leading trends in culture, fashion, and architecture while remaining a major financial hub for centuries.
Shanghai is steeped in history, with Chinese and colonial influences painting the city. Organically, Shanghai has spawned several spa sanctuaries to offer respite from the busyness of city life. Keep on reading our Shanghai spa guide that highlights the best spas in Shanghai for relaxation and self-care.
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Banyan Tree Shanghai On the Bund
19 Gongping Road, Hongkou District Shanghai 200082, (+86) 21-2509-1188
While Banyan Tree Shanghai On the Bund hosts luxurious suites and accommodations, the Banyan Tree ethos is showcased front and center on the Bund. The award-winning spa occupies three floors with 11 treatment rooms, as well as a nail bar and beauty salon.
The range of massages and facials espouses traditional Chinese philosophies, using indigenous ingredients and herbs guided by the Five Elements in Chinese philosophy: wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. A signature spa treatment is the Sense of Place-Banyan Romance, which uses heated stones as massage implements, along with warm, clarity oil. A facial and moisturizing body mask caps the 150-minute service.
The couple's spa treatment customizes a Sweet Serenade Treatment for women, including a soya mint body scrub and body and head massages to increase blood circulation and soothe sore muscles. For men, the Ginseng Cinnamon Body Scrub involves herbal pouch compresses on key acupressure points, followed by a yoga massage with light stretching.
Chi, The Spa at Jing-An Shangri-La, Shanghai
1218 Middle Yan'an Road, Jing An Kerry Centre, West Nanjing Road, Shanghai 200040, China (+86) 21-2203-8888
Chi, The Spa in the Shangri-La Hotel sits squarely in the Shanghai Jing An Business District. The 508-room hotel occupies the upper levels of the Jing An Kerry Centre, occupying floors 30 to 59, with Metro subway transportation lines run underneath the skyscraper.
Luxury retailers, such as Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors, have storefronts on the lower levels, while a wooden, two-story historic house where Mao Zedong lived in the 1920s sits near the entrance, serving as a reminder about the sharp contrast between the old and new of Shanghai.
Splurge on a spa journey, such as the 90-minute Pure Essence Body Skin Treatment that includes a sea salt body scrub with Dead Sea salt. One specialty at the spa are facials, which offer a wide range of options for restoring skin cells. The Inhibit Face Lift and 3D Collagen Shock are terrific anti-aging choices for minimizing wrinkles and lifting skin.
Add-ons like the Eye Brightener and V-Neck Booster can also help enhance the treatments by focusing on areas of concern.
Chuan Spa at The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi
99 Madang Road, Xintiandi, Shanghai 200021, China; (+86) 21-2330-2288
Set in a Shanghai neighborhood called Xintiandi, oozing with quiet elegance, The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi makes guests feel like they've escaped to a Parisian arrondissement in Asia. Just a stone's throw away from the retail district in Haui Hai Road, this hotel with a gorgeous spa is away from the busy Bund and spiraling skyscrapers.
Chuan Spa is the wellness sanctuary on the hotel's lower floor. Lined with candles and tea lights, guests walk through a calming tunnel as a pathway to calmness. Other amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, pool, and hot tub.
Restorative sleep is essential to the rejuvenation process at the spa and the hotel. One signature treatment that aims to ensure deep, restful slumber is a deep tissue massage, scalp massage, and ear auricular treatment (an ear acupuncture session focused on the outer ear). Their Sleep Matters service also includes a Chuan Bath menu, customized breathing exercises based on traditional Chinese medicine principles, and a recommended Spotify playlist.
Other treatments include facials and foot massages. Memberships for peak and off-peak times are also available, which include massages, laundry services, and guest passes.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
111 Pudong Rd (S), Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai 200120, China (+86) 21-2082-9888
The gorgeous Mandarin Oriental Spa at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai sits in the popular Pudong district in the middle of Shanghai. The sanctuary spans nearly 26,000 square feet and includes 13 single, couples, and VIP suites. Each suite includes its own steam shower, restroom, and private dressing area which can be booked for bridal and spa parties. One tip is to ask for one of the four suites with its own private vitality pool overlooking the gardens.
A crystal steam room sits in the space with healing crystal stones strategically placed on the walls and relaxing light projections illuminating the space. Outside the doors, an ice fountain provides a steady stream of ice cubes and cooling ice towels, along with color therapy and aromatic experience showers. Choose a signature treatment, such as an Inner Strength Massage to melt away anxiety and physical discomforts.
Check the calendar for special events, like drum sound healing concerts or tea meditations, which will make a spa day even more of an occasion. The fitness center is open 24 hours a day. The indoor swimming pool also has a vitality pool, and the area opens to an outdoor pool deck where guests can order healthy dishes from a spa menu.
Waldorf Astoria Spa at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund
No. 2 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Rd, Huang Pu District, Shanghai 200002, China (+86) 21-6322-9988
Take a spa break with spectacular views of the city skyline. Sitting right on the Bund along the Huangpu River, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund is one of the most iconic, historical buildings in Shanghai. The 260-room hotel is built in a majestic architectural style with two connecting hotel towers.
One tower, originally finished in 1910, was known as the exclusive Shanghai Club, which now houses suites and ballrooms. Most of the suites and rooms are situated in the modern tower. Waldorf Astoria took over the prime perch in 2011, transforming the hotel to its former glory after being derelict for decades.
Waldorf Astoria Spa is a quintessential part of the major renovation. It's a luxurious space with treatments that combine traditional Chinese treatments with Western therapeutics. In addition to a range of massage treatments, including ones to help jet lag recovery and express services, the spa also offers interceuticals treatments, such as oxygen facials that can rejuvenate the skin using hyperbaric oxygen and premium serums to rejuvenate the skin.
Each room has a steam room and a rain shower, with plenty of room to relax in the treatment room. The VIP suite, perfect for couples, has a double steam room, fireplace, whirlpool, and relaxation area with couches. The indoor pool, hydrotherapy facilities, and fitness area are additional amenities to enjoy as well. Memberships are also available for treatments and access to the steam room, hydrotherapy facilities, and pool.
[Photos courtesy of spas and resorts]
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Helen I. Hwang is an award-winning journalist, author, and mechanical engineer. Her works have appeared in The New York Times for Kids, Eater San Diego, People Magazine, Parents.com, Trip Advisor, Huffington Post, Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel Magazine,TravelSavvy.com, and other publications. She has also written a book, titled All Grown Up: Please Touch Museum and Its Move to Memorial Hall, for the Please Touch Museum, a children's museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition, Helen worked as a researcher for the Peabody Award-winning NPR radio program, Fresh Air with Terry Gross. Over the years, she's lived on three continents and traveled to more than 40 countries. She currently lives in San Diego, CA, the 16th place she's called home. More about her can be found at helenihwang.com.