Rub Your Jet Lag Away With One Of These Massage Therapies
With sorrow-filled hearts, ravaged bank accounts and a few extra pounds, it's back to work for most of us here in Shanghai. Getting over jet lag or a poor sleeping/eating schedule can be difficult, but that’s why god invented Spas. A massage is a great way to increase circulation, lower blood pressure and relax your body into a new schedule, here are some of our favorite places to do it.
DRAGONFLY
Dragonfly is one of those places you should go if you really want to treat yourself (ie a bit on the expensive side). But they’re worth it, with nine locations around Shanghai (our favorite being the French Concession location), there are plenty of options.
To bounce back from a long week try the ‘Lymphatic Drainage Oil Massage’ RMB 398 /60 minutes. It’s “an invigorating full body detox treatment with soothing lavender oil that focuses on removing toxins from your lymph nodes to naturally strengthen your body’s immune system. Releases blockages from your energy channels and improves blood circulation. Stimulates cellular regeneration and boosts overall health”. Sign us up!
Address: 206 Xinle Lu (near Donghu Lu)
Hours: 10am to midnight
Tel: 5403-9982
YU SPA & MASSAGE
Yu is a Thai-style massage spot offering authentic, rough, no-nonsense Thai massages. So if you’re tired of dainty little unenthused hands, try their 90-minute oil body massage for RMB 298.
Address: B-2F, 128 Yanping Lu
Hours: 11:30am -2am, Mon-Sun
Tel: 021-6218-0286
ZEN MASSAGE
This little gem is disguised as a French Concession lane house. Inside you can find a more intimate and quaint massage experience. There’s even a discounted massage ‘Happy Hour’ from 11am-6pm on weekdays. We recommend the ‘Flashing Time’, a 90-minute aroma oil body treatment done by two therapists together for RMB 650.
Address: 210 Wuyuan Rd
Hours: Daily 11am - 2am
Tel: 21 3368 1227
YIDE MASSAGE
Yide is a solid standby, known by many expats in the French Concession for being reliable, well-priced and in a convenient location. Add to that the fact that their massages are as good as anyone out there, what’s not to love?
Address: 2/F, 204 Xinle Lu, near Donghu Lu
Hours: Daily, 11:30am-12:30am
Tel: 021 5403 0399
THE SANCTUARY
This spa has a strong focus on skin care and well-being. They’ve got top notch facials to go along with their detoxifying, de-stressing, and even prenatal massages. A must for anyone who is stressed, or pregnant or both. Try the ‘Long Night Out’, a “revitalizing facial to breathe life back into your skin” RMB 980 /95 mins.
Address: Room 402, 171 Jianguo Zhong Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu,
Hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
Tel: 021 3356 2257
BAMBOO LEAF RETREAT
Don’t forget about Pudong! Lujiazui has just as many high-quality massage spots as anywhere else, including this one which even has English-speaking staff.
Try an Aromatherapy Massage or Precision Waxing. Best offer is the ‘Happy Hour’: Monday through Thursday you can get an hour-long Chinese body massage for just RMB99.
Address: Room 403, 68 Yincheng Zhong Lu (near Lujiazui Huan Lu)
Hours: Daily 11am-9pm
Tel: 021 5010 6656
GREEN MASSAGE
This is a higher-end massage place with six locations around the city. Their emphasis is on ancient technique and attention to detail. Try the Hot Stone Massage for RMB 658, or our personal favorite, the Lady Breast Care for RMB 480.
Address: (Xintiandi branch) 58 Taicang Lu, near Songshan Lu
Hours: Daily 10:30am – 2am
Tel: 021 5386 0222
DA BAN
This is a reliable, inexpensive ‘watch a movie and get a back massage’ type of joint. Best deal: the Two-Hour Set, which includes a 60-minute foot massage and 60-minute full-body traditional Chinese massage -- for RMB 218.
Address: 370 Dagu Lu near Lao Chengdu Bei Lu
Hours: Daily, Open 12pm to 12:30am
Tel: 021 6340-0366
GIFTED BLIND MAN MASSAGE
Many people have heard about ‘blind massage’ but far fewer have actually gone and tried it. You should though, it’s inexpensive, easy and a unique experience. They’ve got locatons in Pudong and Puxi, with full-body massages for RMB 98 and foot massages for RMB 88. And it goes without saying of course that most of the masseurs here are blind. Call to book ahead.
Address: Rm. 378, 3/F, 643 Hankou Lu (near Guangxi Bei Lu)
Hours: 9:30 am-1am
Tel: 6351-9867