Spa is a way of recharging. In Shanghai, there are dedicated places for such treatments. But in this guide, I want to introduce you to the top 6 spa hotels on my list of the Best Wellness Spots in Shanghai.
Top 1: Shanghai Qushui Lanting Hotel
Enjoy a holistic massage experience at Qushui Lanting Hotel
- Hotel Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Location: Building 26, No. 3337 Hongmei Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, China
- Style: Modern Zen
For the very first sight of this spa hotel, it's striking enought, with bold black-and-white tones, dynamic light and shadow. This hotel offers guests luxury brands such as such as Hermès, Dyson, La Mer, CPB, and Guerlain, from shampoo and skincare to perfumes.
You can expect a premium bathing experience, sauna, 24-hour high-quality seasonal fruits (like Chilean cherries and Shine Muscat grapes), upscale beverages (like Evian and Perrier), and Häagen-Dazs ice cream! After your treatment, you can relax in a private lounge equipped with a professional audio-visual system.
Top 2: The Ritz-Carlton Spa, a Shanghai Massage with a View
Night view from The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
- Hotel Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Location: Shanghai International Finance Center, No. 8 Century Avenue, Lujiazui, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, 200120, China
- Style: Top Gourmet Hotel
Refreshing yourself with scalp treatment
The spa is located on the 55th floor. With stunning views of the Bund and modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui. You can enjoy pearl powder for full-body exfoliation and wraps. With professional massages, facials, and scalp treatment, you'll have a joyful and relaxing night.
The spa also offers both heat and cold therapy. It is often paired with the gym and the rooftop heated pool on the 53rd floor. If you enjoy post-workout relaxation, you can swim in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the Oriental Pearl Tower and then head upstairs for a spa treatment.
💡 Tips
- Arrive early: The hotel recommends arriving 60 minutes in advance to enjoy the steam room and sauna, helping your body reach optimal relaxation.
- Reservation: It’s best to book at least one day in advance, especially during weekends or holidays.
Top 3: Amanyangyun, a Heritage-Style Shanghai Massage
The modern zen of Amanyangyun
- Hotel Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Location: No. 6161 Yuanjiang Road, Minhang District, Shanghai, 201111, China
- Style: Courtyard & Tranquility
Let your body and soul relax at Amanyangyun
This entire hotel is over 2,800 square meters, designed by Kerry Hill, a renowned architect. The building preserves the structure of traditional Ming and Qing dynasty residences. You can enjoy a fully personalized program tailored to your body's needs.
Turkish Hamman and Russian Banya are two most popular treatments here. The massge here incorporates traditional Chinese medicine techniques, including herbal comresses, cupping, meridian massage, and moxibustion.
Top 4: The Anantara Spa, the Best Urban Shanghai Massage
The Anandi Hotel and Spa Shanghai
- Hotel Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Locatoin: No. 7 Linhong Road, Changning District, Shanghai, China
- Style: Healing & Breathable
Embrace Ayurvedic wisdom
This hotel is the paradise of minimalists. Before you start any treatment here, therapists will conduct a body assessment based on the traditional Indian Ayuvedic system to determine whether your constitution is Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire), or Kapha (Water). They specialize in combing Eastern meridian Tui Na techniques with Western aromatherapy.
412970 booked
Top 5: Bvlgari Spa, the Glamorous Side of a Shanghai Massage
Bvlgari Hotel Shanghai
- Hotel Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Location: Lane 108, Shanxi North Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, China
- Style: Grounded & Exquisite
Enjoy a quiet and luxury spa treatment
Feel the peace of your treatment here for the spa area is completely insulated from the hustle and bustle of Lujiazui. The handcrafted indoor heated pool with green and gold Venetian mosaics is my favorite.
Therapists here will use Eastern acupressure techniques to relieve your stiffness from long flights!
Top 6: The Peninsula Spa, the Classic Shanghai Massage
The Peninsula Shanghai
- Hotel Star: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Location: No. 32, Zhongshan East 1st Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai, 200002, China
- Style: Crafted & Deep-Rooted
The Peninsula Shanghai
The signature treatments here combine advanced Euripean sinkcare technologies, such as ESPA, with Chinaese meridian therapy. The therapists' techniques are refined. What's interesting for me is that you'll take a brief olfactory test to select the essential oil that suits you best.
You can also take a swim here enjoying views of the Bund's iconic skyline through the windows.
Tips for Shanghai Massage
- Book on Trip.com to compare prices and read verified reviews from other international travelers.
- Chinese massage techniques are crafted to be deep and functional. If it's too intense, say "Qīng yīdiǎn" (Lighter). If you want more pressure, say "Zhòng yīdiǎn" (Heavier).
- Stick to the "hidden gems" inside five-star hotels like Qu Shui Lan Ting or The Anandi.
- Avoid "walk-ins" after 7:00 PM. Book between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
- Most high-end spas allow you to choose a male or female therapist during the booking process.
China Entry Requirements & Things to Prepare
- 24/240 China Visa-Free Transit: US citizens can stay up to 240 hours in 54 Chinese cities without a China visa when transiting.
- China Plug & Power: China plug uses Type A/C/F (220V). Bring a Type A/C adapter (US plugs sometimes work, but bring a universal adapter for safety).
- Internet Access in China: You need a China VPN for Google/Ins/YT/X, etc. But you can also use a China eSIM with built-in access to overseas apps!
Getting Around & Top Destinations in China
- China Metro Guides: Shanghai Metro | Beijing Metro | Guangzhou Metro | HK Metro
- China Airport Guides: Shanghai Airport | Beijing Airport | Guangzhou Airport | HK Airport Express
- China City Maps: Beijing Map | Guangzhou Map | Shanghai Map | HK Map
- Top Destinations in China: Shanghai Attractions (Disneyland, Bund) | Beijing Attractions (Forbidden City, Great Wall) | HK Attractions (HK Disneyland)
Must-Have Apps in China
- China Map App: I love to use Gaode Map (English supported) or Baidu Map (limited English) for real-time transit and traffic. Or you can still use Google Maps in China, but some data may be outdated.
- China Transport App: Use DiDi (China's Uber) for English address input and cashless payment. I recommend using the DiDi mini-program in Alipay for more convenience.
- China Payment App: Use Alipay or WeChat Pay (link foreign cards before arrival).
- China Booking App: Trip.com for high-speed trains (China HSR Guide), China hotels/flights. Use Trip.com promo codes for USA users.
FAQs aobut Shanghai Massage
Is a tip expected after a massage in Shanghai?
No. Unlike in the US, tipping is not a standard practice in China. At high-end hotel spas or luxury spots like Qu Shui Lan Ting, the price you see is the price you pay.What should I wear to a spa session?
Just bring yourself. Whether it’s a modern Zen hotel spa or an all-inclusive bathhouse, they provide everything: high-quality robes, disposable undergarments, and even designer toiletries (think Hermès or Dyson) to help you freshen up afterward.Do I need to speak Chinese to book a treatment?
Not if you use Trip.com. It’s the most grounded way for English speakers to browse, compare, and book without any language barriers or "salesy" phone conversations. Most therapists at top-tier hotels also speak functional English.What is the difference between "Tuina" and a Spa massage?
Tuina is a functional, deep-rooted Chinese medical massage focused on meridians and acupressure—it can be intense. A "Spa massage" in places like The Peninsula or Anandi is more of a sensory retreat, blending those traditional techniques with soothing oils and visual silence.Are these luxury spas "all-inclusive"?
In many Shanghai "bathhouse-style" luxury spas, your entry fee covers much more than a shanghai massage. You often get 12–24 hours of access to saunas, Himalayan salt rooms, and unlimited premium snacks like imported fruit and Häagen-Dazs.