New Spa Trends in Beijing Where East meets West

That people care about their health is an eternal verity in Beijing. Listen closely when people are speaking of food or medicine or climbing a mountain, and you will likely hear the word jiankang (health, healthy, sound) come up time and again. At the movies or on television, relaxation is often symbolized by a hero or heroine resting in an overfilled tub of steaming water, perhaps with fragrant bubbles or flower petals floating on the surface. Relaxation is a good; water heals.

So the people who brought the first of a new generation of spas to Beijing in 2000 were not blindly seeking fortune in a dismal swamp: they knew their market. With their new-found wealth, a product of China's reform and opening, the people of Beijing have embraced just about every concept of the spa experience imaginable, and competition in the market has caused spa operators to do what they can to keep their customers coming back for more.

But with so many choices and so little free time in an on the go Beijing, where do you begin? In this Beijing This Month, editor Amor Mao helps eliminate some of the guesswork with his tour of best spas in Beijing. But before you go, you also may benefit from knowing some of the various meanings associated with the term “spa.”

Spa is derived from Spa, a small town in Belgium, whose waters were reputed to have curative powers. According to the International Spa Association, spa development over the past 800 years was based on water treatments, also known as balneotherapy, that gave rise to numerous resorts throughout Europe offering such therapies, which remain popular even in this more medicinally inclined age.

Modern spas come in many varieties and offer far more than a simple bath in a hot spring, but all tend to focus on enhancing our overall well-being with services that encourage the renewal of our minds, bodies and spirit. Here are some common types found in Beijing that may suit to your needs:

Club Spa—A spa whose primary purpose is physical fitness. They usually offer a full gym, equipment and coaches on a daily basis.

Day Spa—Usually in the city, you can drop into a day spa for a few minutes or a few hours to get professionally administered spa services.

Destination Spa—A place to go to for an extended time, with emphasis on developing healthy habits via comprehensive programmes, including spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education and education in wholesome foods. Various activities such as hiking, sight-seeing and recreational sports are sometimes offered.

Medical Spa—Licensed health-care professionals are available all the time at a medical spa facility offering comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment that integrates spa services with traditional, complementary or alternative therapies.

Resort Spa—Resort spas are usually owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menus.

Spas are no longer a privilege limited to expatriates. Many middle-class and wealthy Chinese now enjoy them, and their presence in the market has not been overlooked. To attract local and foreign costumers, spas in Beijing have developed treatments combining eastern and western techniques and products. Some are focused more on traditional Chinese medical philosophies or oriental themes, while some rely on western designs. In Beijing, East meets West in surprising and pleasing ways.

 

 

 

CHI Spa, Redefining the Spa Scene in Beijing

CHI, the Spa at the Shangri-La Hotel, opened in April 2007. The designs and treatments offered by CHI (pronounced qi in Hanyu Pinyin) at all Shangri-La group hotels were inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies and are based upon the principles of restoring balance and harmony to the mind and body.  

 Pansy Chong, spa director at CHI, said, “CHI is redefining the spa scene in Beijing. Unique treatments fusing Chinese, Asian and western therapeutic practices are combined with the highest standards in design, service and delivery to make a visit to CHI a truly unforgettable experience.”

Cutting through the marketing jargon, I found my visit to CHI one of the best and most mysterious spa experiences I have ever had.

The 1,000-square-metre spa is a tranquil sanctuary. Designed in the style of a Tibetan temple, it features Himalayan artefacts and design elements and incorporates the Chinese principles of harmony and balance. Eleven private rooms and hydrotherapy suites are based on the “spa within a spa” concept, with all single and double suites possessing individual bathing and herbal-steam areas that give guests a sense of luxury, personal space and timelessness.

CHI is also inspired by the origin of the Shangri-La legend, high in the mystical Himalayan Mountains. In traditional Chinese philosophy, “ch'i” (qi in Hanyu Pinyin) represents a universal life force that governs  a person's well-being and vitality. To maintain good health, it is believed that ch’i must flow freely within the body, and if blocked, illness will follow. CHI’s therapies are based on the “five-elements theory,” in which metal, water, wood, fire and earth harmonize with the positive yang and negative yin energy within the body. 

The spa offers more than 35 special massage, facial, water, and body-care therapies. Branded therapies such as Chi Balance and Aroma Vitality work to relax and restore vitality, while the Himalayan Healing Stone Massage and the Mountain Tsampa Rub therapies use indigenous ingredients and techniques drawn from the ancient healing traditions of the Himalayan region. CHI also offers memorable spa rituals, including the Enchanted Journey, Vitality Ritual and the Imperial Jade Journey, each lasting between two and five hours.

The Empress Imperial Jade Journey treatment is specially recommended for the summer. This ages-old beauty treatment, once enjoyed only by an empress, uses jade to massage meridian points on the face and body with aromatic oils.

The treatment is an indulgent experience that includes a “Luxurious Lotus Milk Bath” and a “Milk and Honey Wrap,” followed by a soothing back and shoulder massage, and complemented by the “Luxurious and Pampering Imperial Jade Facial.”

The “Luxurious and Pampering Imperial Jade Facial” uses a customized CHI jade piece to massage the face along with a superb bioactive treatment ingredient: golden caviar. This luxurious substance is said to activate cell metabolism and skin microcirculation, resulting in diminished fine lines and wrinkles, preventing environmentally induced premature skin-ageing. Caviar extract boosts the skin’s moisture and binding capacity, and regulates moisture levels. Skin texture appears smoother and with a more even colour tone, thus giving the tissue optimal care. 

While the mask takes its full effect, guests can enjoy an application of “Golden Caviar Body Cream” and a relaxing acupressure foot compress. This treatment aims to unblock stagnant ch’i and, in so doing, remove toxins from the lymphatic system, revitalizing the entire body and soul. 

CHI is part of the Shangri-La Hotel, Beijing’s US$50 million Valley Wing expansion project that was launched in March 2007. The new tower adds 142 premier rooms and suites; the Blu Lobster, a contemporary fine dining lounge-restaurant; 13 elegant multi-purpose function rooms; a grand ballroom with a seating capacity of 1,400; a state-of-the-art health club, featuring a 25-metre indoor swimming pool; and roof-top garden to the hotel.

 

 

 

 

JingChen Spa, Building China's Own Spa Brand

I wanted to create an upper-class local spa brand, a showcase,” said Yang Jingchen, the founder and general manager of JingChen Health and Spa.

Supportive of traditional Chinese medicine in its corporate culture, JingChen has established spa and massage centres in more than 25 four- and five-star hotels. Two are solely operated by JingChen and are located in the China World Hotel and The Regent Beijing.

Designed to relax and restore the mind, body and soul, JingChen offers a tranquil and serene ambiance, with a wide range of traditional and self-created treatments, inspired by the cultures of China, Thailand and Europe. Popular treatments include their Traditional Chinese Massage and Serenity Signature Massage. The Traditional Chinese Massage is based upon traditional Chinese medical theory combined with JingChen’s unique massage techniques. It uses deep pressure and stretching movements to stimulate guest’s “energy channels.” This dry massage without using any oil is relaxing and helps reduce stress and pain. The Serenity Signature Massage was introduced as JingChen’s “ultimate massage experience,” which is performed by two therapists, creating perfect balance and physical harmony. Warm aromatherapy oil is applied, with synchronizing massage movements to promote deep relaxation from head to toe.

Only the highest-quality natural products are used to create JingChen’s own brand of aromatherapy oil that adds to the JingChen spa experience.

In addition to its independent business operations, the company cooperates with more than 20 five-star hotels in Beijing, including The Grand Hyatt, Kerry Centre Hotel and Great Wall Sheraton Hotel. Widely recognized in the field, JingChen has been honoured as one of the first 30 service providers for the 2008 Olympic Games, recommended by the Beijing Municipal Government.

According to Yang, JingChen is planning more expansions in the coming year, including a new spa centre in the Beijing Landmark Towers in August.

 

 

 

My Spa: An Experience of Wellness

Located on the ninth floor of the newly opened South Wing of Loong Palace Hotel & Resort, My Spa has 18 spa treatment rooms and suites. The spa is a body, mind and soul sanctuary where one can enjoy many exclusive facilities and a vast array of body and beauty treatment programmes including Hot Stone Massage, Yin & Yang massage, Caviar Facial and Moor Mud Wrap to name a few.

According to Loong Palace Managing Director Peter D. Gibbons, a lot of planning took place before the facility opened. “Great emphasis and importance has been placed on the individualized service concept.”

My Spa’s philosophy is to provide its clients with an experience and not just a product. That experience commences the moment they step into My Spa’s world of total wellness. The spa’s main goal is to provide its guests with the ultimate experience and open the gateway to enable them to commune with nature and experience truly rewarding therapeutic rituals with the purpose of enhancing the body-mind-soul inter-dependence.

My Spa director Tina added, “Our holistic approach to well-being can create a sense of emotional, mental and spiritual balance. By embracing the concept of total wellness, My Spa is able to enhance health, fitness and quality of life through our range of sophisticated treatments and therapies. Total wellness for My Spa means a one-stop spa centre where a broad range of beauty-care therapies, massages and stress management treatments are offered.”

“A spa experience awakens the touch receptors with gentle therapeutic treatments to ease physical tension; delights the vision through artistic natural surroundings; sharpens the audio-sensory through mellifluous sounds; entices the taste-buds with delectable and nutritive cuisine; elevates the smell-sensory by means of aromatherapy and attains the pinnacle of a relaxed state of mind through gentle meditation,” she said.

This summer, My Spa began offering its Summer Indulgence Package. For 600 yuan net, you will enjoy a Vicky Shower, a soothing and calming warm-water massage followed by an Aromatic Yin & Yang Massage with a Spa Pedicure. This 150-minute package is designed to ease tension and fatigue with massaging warm water sprays and aromatic essences.

 

 

 

The St. Regis Spa & Club

The St. Regis Spa & Club is a 1,500-square-metre oasis in the Jianguomen area in Central Beijing. Despite its urban location, the spa is fed by natural hot springs that flow from deep underground into luxurious pools where the soothing water is circulated in Jacuzzis. The Spa & Club has eight spa and body therapy rooms, men’s and women’s VIP suites, cool “plunges,” saunas, aroma steam rooms and relaxation lounges with personal audio headsets. Its modern fitness centre features a yoga/aerobics studio, spinning classes, strength training equipment, cardio machines and 35 television sets. Overlooking the glass-enclosed 25-metre indoor swimming pool is the Pool Bar. Other facilities that cater to every need include a hair and beauty salon, children’s crèche, an eight-lane bowling alley, squash courts, golf driving area and putting green, billiard and snooker rooms, a wine lounge, a cigar lounge with private humidor cabinets, a business centre, restaurants and banquet and meeting facilities. 

The spa uses Jurlique products which the manufacturer assures us are the “purest skin care products on earth.” Jurlique incorporates aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy and botanical and marine sciences to provide treatments that are organic, PH balanced, natural and safe for sensitive skin and carefully designed to soothe your body, mind and spirit. The products are from Australia while the spa's doctors of traditional Chinese massage and medicine are skilled in a variety of treatments that have been developed over the course of 2,000 years.

The St. Regis Spa & Club provides professional massages, aiming to reduce tension and alleviate the negative effects of everyday stress. Therapists and Chinese masseuses are trained in traditional Chinese techniques, including deep tissue massage, aromatherapy, acupressure and hand and food reflexology, always taking into consideration the sensitivities and uniqueness of each individual’s needs. Chinese medicine consultations are also available upon request for customized and special treatments. 

The St. Regis Spa "Signature" Treatment and Spa Cuisine (including two-hour treatment and two-course meal) are designed to please, whether you are a first-time spa visitor or a savvy veteran. Drawing from unique eastern and western spa therapy techniques, this full-body deep-tissue aromatherapy massage is influenced by the philosophies of Chinese massage and will release naturally calming endorphins to give you a delightful post-massage sensation. You will then be lured into total bliss as treated with magical rejuvenating facial, filled with the richest nutrients and antioxidants designed with your special needs in mind.

After treatments, consumers can enjoy spa cuisine developed by the St. Regis’ award-winning chefs, prepared to tantalize your taste buds with foods that are delicious yet low in fat, sodium, calories and cholesterol.

 

 

 

 

Zenspa, Spa in Siheyuan

Inspired by Beijing's traditional courtyard houses or siheyuan, Zenspa offers the ambiance of a tranquil retreat in southeastern Beijing, just inside the Fourth Ring Road.

Award-winning designer David Ng of Matchit Limited of Hong Kong collected the tasteful marriage of old and new, oriental and occidental furniture used inside Zenspa. Modern design is merged with old furniture, stones and pieces of old wood planks; bright colours add pizzazz to the raw materials.

As one of the few professional spas in China with membership in the International Spa Association, Zenspa takes a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being, providing a sanctuary for the senses. It is the first spa on the Chinese mainland to introduce Reiki treatment, naturopathic principles, floatation therapy, Ayurvedic Shirodhara therapy, clinical aromatherapy and Thai/Indonesian herbal therapy.

Quality products are sourced and imported from around the world. New spa therapies are regularly introduced. Innovative East/West fusions are offered. Staff members here are highly trained and undergo regular educational updates to ensure their highest degree of spa industry knowledge and expertise. The massage treatments are based on evolving techniques that have been passed down through many generations. Drawing on Asian traditions from centuries ago, Zenspa has created health and skincare remedies using pure essential oils, herbs and spices with ancient curative powers. Using these natural therapies and their skills in the tactile arts, therapists devote themselves entirely to the physical and spiritual well being of the guests.

Highly recommended for the summer is the package called Ultimate Indulgence. Guests can indulge themselves with Zenspa's exclusive scrub of gold leaves, imported Thai herbs and rose petals, followed by a pure honey wrap, then another highlight of Royal Thai floral bath or Cleopatra milk bath. An hour of aromatherapy massage will leave you feeling totally relaxed. The day of indulgence is completed by the spa’s Burmese Thanaka facial care treatment.

 

 

 

Anantara Spa, Spa by the Great Wall

Anantara Spa’s biggest advantage and difference from other spas in Beijing is its location, an extension of The Club for the Commune at the Great Wall Kempinski. Designed on three levels, the 1,000-square-metre spa offers 15 luxurious spa suites with a choice of single and double occupancy, a full service beauty salon and a rooftop Yoga Deck where yoga sessions are offered complete with stunning views of the Great Wall.  The serenity of the spa’s interior is credited to Hugh Zimmern, a principal director of Leigh & Orange Limited, a well-established international design firm in Hong Kong. “The spa interiors are deliberately quiet, serene and contemplative. The design, which is predominately white in colour, is an extension of the Commune Club look and is Asian contemporary in feel,” Zimmern said.

Rustic Ming furniture, bonsais and an aquarium with Chinese decorations accents the spa’s interior. The spa’s lighting is by ceiling and skirting coves to provide flattering reflective, rather than direct lighting. Window coverings are absent on some of the exterior glass frames providing natural lighting that ebbs and flows with the seasons and the time of day.

In addition to its captivating designs and locations, Anantara Spa’s treatments draw on the richness of its surrounding cultures. Set amid the mountains of Beijing’s Great Wall, the spa provides a sanctuary of privacy and tranquillity for guests to indulge in exhilarating sensory journeys. Delightfully indulgent treatments include the Anantara Spa Journeys, exotic body treatments and various massage therapies and facials all flavoured by the worlds timeless and rejuvenation secrets of the East and West.

If balance, energy and a sense of peace are being sought, Anantara Spa is your ideal journey’s end. 

The Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski is located in the Badaling mountains on eight square kilometres of private land and is a private collection of contemporary Chinese and Asian structures, where the modern and traditional come together. Unlike any other hotel in the world, it offers guests an "architectural experience" with breath-taking views over the landscape of the Shuiguan Valley and the Great Wall.

Anantara Spa at Commune by the Great Wall Kempinski is MSpa International Limited's fourth spa in China. It has more than 22 spas worldwide. MSpa’s portfolio includes the development, operation and management of the Mandara Spa brand in key geographic locations such as Thailand, China, South East Asia and the Middle East. It also includes the Anantara Spa brand which suggests a more holistic approach to wellness through its culturally adaptive and unique treatments.