Steam and Serenity: Visiting a Chinese Bathhouse
A brief overview of my experiences using a Chinese Bathhouse during my visits to China.
Visiting China for the first time can be quite a culture shock, especially if you are visiting one of the more distant towns or cities. It becomes even more daunting when you do not have access to an interpreter and you are in an area previously sheltered from Western influence and where English is seldom heard.
Most People Use a Chinese Bathhouse
If you are fortunate enough to experience your stay in China from a private flat or house, you will discover that many houses or flats do not have showers or baths; if they do, they generally do not have hot water. Originally bathing was done at the local shower house where you could enjoy unlimited hot water, a sauna, and even undergo the experience of being washed and exfoliated by one of the bathhouse attendants.
Most hotel rooms have modern bathrooms but if you enquire you will often discover that they also have a large bathhouse facility that you may also go and enjoy, usually at a slight charge that is well worth every cent.
Using a Public Chinese Bathhouse
Chinese people in general, have limited body hair and as a result of this, they dry off very quickly after a bath or shower. Due to this they generally do not use towels but instead make use of a large facecloth that is used for washing. It it then wrung out and used to dry the excess water from your skin. You must take your facecloth with you to the bathhouse. Also, take soap and your shampoo if required.
Finding a bathhouse if you do not have a guide or translator may be a bit daunting. The best method is to ask via sign language. Almost every city block in the residential areas has one so as soon as you show someone your soap and facecloth they will point you in the correct direction.
On entering you will be required to pay for the experience. It is usually a very small charge that is well worth it.
Once you enter men and women will split into separate areas. There is no mixed bathing. You will enter a change room where you will strip and then proceed into the shower area with just your facecloth and soap. The shower area usually consists of a large room with showers right the way around the room. There are no separate cubicles for privacy. You would then wash yourself thoroughly in the shower.
There is usually a hot steamy sauna that you may use. If you have paid for the exfoliating experience the bathhouse attendant will place you on a table/bed in the middle of the showerhouse. He or she (for ladies) will then proceed to thoroughly wash every inch of your body (I mean every inch) and slowly peel away all the dead skin by wrapping your facecloth around their hand and rubbing the damp skin in a circular motion. Warning – Western skins are not as tough as Chinese skins so if you have thin or tender skin you may experience a little discomfort and could even end up bleeding slightly. However, you will be squeaky clean.
Once you are happy and thoroughly clean, you dry yourself off with your facecloth and then get dressed and make your way home. Ladies, I am not sure how it goes with drying your hair after washing, I heard hairdryers so I presume that there are hair drying facilities in the ladies change rooms.
A point of interest – Chinese people in general do not have body odor. As such they usually will only go to the bathhouse once or twice a week. They will probably be surprised to see you there daily.
Hotel or Spa Bathhouse Experience
The hotel or spa experience is usually quite a step up from the general public bathhouse. Hotels mostly have some staff who can interpret so it does make the process a lot simpler. You will still need to take your own shower cloth but if you do not have most of these establishments do have on hand that you can purchase.
Once undressed you will go through to the washing area. After a quick modern shower, often with automatic heat settings as well as pulse settings, you can choose to jump into a jacuzzi or sauna. From there you can get your exfoliating wash from one of the many attendants on hand.
After your exfoliation, if you choose, you may receive special treatments such as a massage or foot massage. I chose the foot massage. You are given a gown as well as disposable underwear similar to that worn when going into the operating theater at a hospital. This is because the “massage” area is unisex and therefore you do need to be covered up.
I experienced the most amazing foot massage that almost sent me into a deep sleep. Indeed another gentleman in the room was fast asleep from his foot massage. If needed the attendant will also give you a bit of a pedicure at the same time.
Once your massage is over you will go back into the wash area where you can return your gown and throw away the disposable underwear. You may choose to rinse off under the showers again or get changed, settle your bill, and return to your room.
An Unforgettable Experience
Whichever experience you choose when visiting China, the Chinese bathhouse is an experience that you must enjoy. If part of a guided tour or on business make sure that you do not miss out on this serene and steamy experience that will be implanted in your memories forever.
