A traditional Chinese proverb says: “Nature, time, and patience are the three great doctors.” And we couldn’t agree more! Especially when you add spa treatments, beautiful hotels in secluded locations, delicious food, and the best health resorts in China. Fortunately, the land of Tai Chi and Taoism has many wellness resorts and retreat centers where you can enjoy all of these pleasures at once.
We have found some real gems for you — places where you can not only relax, but also restore your vital energy, or Qi. Take a look!
Amanfayun — Hangzhou, China
A spa hotel offering traditional Chinese medicine and meditation near a temple
Address: 22 Fayun Lane, West Lake Street, West Lake Scenic Area, Hangzhou Shi, Zhejiang Sheng, 310013, China
Contact: Tel: +86 571 8732 9999, Email: amanfayun.res@aman.com
Cost: from €743/night for a rustic room to €5,000/night for a luxurious three-bedroom villa
Website: www.aman.com/resorts/amanfayun
This amazing place is located near the ancient Buddhist temple of Lingyin, surrounded by tea plantations and bamboo forests — it seems that time has stopped in Amanfayun several hundred years ago. There are various accommodation options available, from rustic rooms to luxurious villas with several bedrooms. All rooms feature impeccable and elegant interiors.
But the main reason to come here is the Aman spa, hidden in a bamboo grove next to tea bushes and magnolia trees. Guests are offered a Reflexology House, a Bath House, a fitness center, a treatment room, and a 20-meter heated pool. You can choose from traditional Chinese medicine therapies, seasonal baths and scrubs, foot reflexology, acupuncture massage, and much more. Hatha, Ashtanga, and Yin yoga classes are also available, as well as various methods of Buddhist and Taoist meditation.
When you are tired of treatments and relaxation, within walking distance of Amanfayun is the Temple Trail, an ancient pilgrimage route connecting seven Buddhist temples. The Fayun Place, built in the 1800s and now the cultural center of the village, invites guests daily for free afternoon tea and talks on Buddhism.
What amenities are available:
- Incredibly beautiful and thoughtful interiors in a traditional style
- A spacious spa with an extensive menu based on traditional Chinese medicine
- Consultation rooms and personalized recovery programs
- Bath complex with steam rooms and baths, 20-meter heated pool, fitness center, and Pilates studio
- Yoga classes and private Tai Chi sessions with master Lei Ming
Things to do:
- Try an ancient moxibustion treatment at the spa, which involves heating herbal poultices and applying them to the skin to stimulate blood circulation and the flow of qi, or life energy
- Meditate on the terrace in peace and quiet
- Take a private lesson from a tai chi master
- Sing at dawn with monks from a nearby monastery
- Visit the local cultural center: learn calligraphy, then take part in a tea ceremony accompanied by leisurely conversations about Buddhism
Amandayan — Lijiang, China
A spa hotel where you can learn tai chi and restore your qi energy
Address: 29 Shishan Road, Gucheng District, Lijiang, Yunnan, 674199, China
Contact: Tel: +86 888 533 9999, Email: amandayan.res@aman.com
Cost: suites — from €829/night, villas — from €2,858/night
Website: www.aman.com/resorts/amandayan
This secluded center is part of the Aman resort chain and is located on top of Lion Hill in the old town of Lijiang. In addition to its eco-friendly wooden architecture, breathtaking views, and absolute silence, guests come here for traditional Chinese practices and high-quality spa treatments.
The Aman Spa offers an extensive menu based on traditional Chinese medicine and local medicinal herbs. Steam showers, wooden baths, hydrotherapy, relaxation areas, foot reflexology, and Tui Na acupuncture massage relax the body and restore the flow of Qi, or life energy. Adjacent to the spa is a 20-meter heated pool, and on the wooden terrace, a tai chi master teaches slow movements for concentration and mental balance.
In your free time, you can visit the old town of Lijiang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take a cable car up to the snow-capped peak of Jade Dragon Mountain. The hotel also offers seasonal spa tours tailored to guests’ individual requests.
What amenities are available:
- Accommodation in private suites or villas. The price includes breakfast, soft drinks, cultural activities, and airport transfers.
- A tranquil spa center with an extensive menu based on traditional Chinese medicine.
- Personalized spa detox programs.
- Tai chi and meditation classes
- Pilates and yoga studio, as well as a fully equipped gym
- 20-meter heated outdoor pool
Things to do:
- Restore your physical and mental health in an atmosphere of privacy and tranquility
- Try the signature Bamboo Aromatherapy treatment, where heated bamboo becomes an extension of the massage therapist’s hands, and prai root, ginger, and lemongrass are used in the massage
- Step barefoot onto a wooden terrace surrounded by trees and try the ancient Chinese healing art of tai chi under the guidance of an experienced master
- Visit the old town of Lijiang and learn about the culture of the Naxi people
- Explore natural attractions with poetic names such as Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
- After lunch, join local artisans at the Wenchang Palace to learn Dongba calligraphy or make traditional zodiac figures out of barley.
SANGHA Retreat by OCTAVE Institute — Suzhou, China
A wellness center near Suzhou that combines Chinese medicine, Eastern wisdom, and European comfort
Address: 199 Yang Cheng Ring Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu Province, China
Contact: Tel: +86 (512) 6788 1888, reservations: +86 (512) 6788 1666, Email: reservation@livingoctave.com
Cost: villa accommodation — from €865/night
Website: www.nakedretreats.cn
SANGHA Retreat by OCTAVE
Organically combining architecture and natural landscape, Octave has created a space where privacy and health become the foundation of a new lifestyle. Just an hour’s drive from Shanghai, west of the bustling metropolis, lies a true wellness oasis with 60 minimalist rooms overlooking the lake and eight spacious villas with several bedrooms.
This retreat is ideal for those who prefer a serious, scientifically based approach. No self-help! The medical team at the At ONE center conducts a full diagnosis and analysis to create a personalized wellness plan. The programs combine elements of traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and modern practices for restoring physical and mental energy.
What amenities are available:
- Accommodation in bright rooms with lake views or in private villas
- A full-service medical center with diagnostics and personalized wellness plans
- Ready-made retreat programs lasting from several days
- Spa and beauty centers with a wide range of treatments
- Private restaurant by the water with a healthy and balanced menu
- Meditation dome and outdoor landscaped pool with lake views
Things to do:
- Undergo a full examination and receive a personalized recovery plan
- Try 9D bioenergy testing — a cellular resonance method that identifies potential health risks
- Enjoy a five-meridian massage based on Chinese element theory — it awakens the “dormant” seasonal meridian and restores inner balance
- Visit the spa center, followed by dinner at a restaurant with a panoramic view of the lake
- Enjoy the silence: retreat to a meditative dome and simply observe nature
Naked Stables Retreats — Zhejiang, China
An eco-friendly hotel at the foot of Mogan Mountain
Address: Mogan Mountain, Deqing County, Zhejiang Province, China
Contact: reservations@livenaked.com, groups@livenaked.com
Cost: from €264/night (includes buffet breakfast and many free activities)
Website: www.livenaked.com
Naked Stables is China’s first retreat to receive a LEED Platinum certification, one of the most prestigious awards in sustainable development. The project combines the local culture of Mogan Mountain with the roots of Naked’s founder, Grant Horsfield, who is originally from South Africa. There are 120 rooms, including “earth huts” and tree villas, all designed to minimize environmental impact and literally blend in with nature.
The spa programs at Naked Stables are based on traditional Chinese medicine and complemented by signature rituals. Guests have access to a large spa center, three pools, including a leaf-shaped pool and a secluded pool for two, as well as a variety of massages — with hot stones, bamboo, or natural oils.
Amenities:
- 120 rooms of various categories with panoramic views
- Three pools: 20-meter, leaf-shaped, and private for two
- Spa center with an extensive menu of treatments
- Restaurants for every taste, from a farmhouse with simple seasonal food to haute cuisine with dishes from around the world
Things to do:
- Try unique facial treatments from four series: “Wind,” “Rain,” “Bird,” and “Forest” — each works with different energy and body needs
- Start your day with outdoor yoga overlooking the mountains
- Take part in eco-friendly activities such as tea picking with local residents
- Go horse riding — the hotel has its own stables and equipment hire
Six Senses Qing Cheng Mountain — Chengdu, China
A serene Daoist retreat at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain
Address: No.2 Dong Ruan Road, Qingcheng Mountain Town, Dujiangyan, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611844, China
Contact: reservations-qingcheng@sixsenses.com, +86 28 8712 6666, +86 17708150605
Cost: from €293/night for a room or suite to €8,346/night for an 845 sq. m presidential villa with a pool and garden
Website: www.sixsenses.com
This boutique hotel is located near Mount Qingcheng, a sacred place of Taoism, not far from the ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Six Senses immerses guests in a world of silence, philosophy, and natural balance, from cozy rooms with thoughtful interiors to villas with private pools and jacuzzis.
The centerpiece is a spacious spa complex covering almost 2,000 square meters. Here you can enjoy signature recovery programs, practice yoga nidra, or try rare treatments. One of the programs, Sleep Upgrade, focuses on sleep quality, from analyzing your tracker data to individual consultations, breathing practices, and nutritional recommendations.
What amenities are available:
- Accommodation in rooms and villas with authentic décor
- Spa center with recovery programs and personal consultations
- Restaurant serving regional cuisine
- Participation in a volunteer program to protect red and giant pandas in a nearby reserve
Things to do:
- Undergo a traditional Gui Sha treatment — a massage using a scraper to remove energy blockages
- Meet pandas in a nature reserve and even become their temporary keeper
- Try a Tui Na massage, an ancient Chinese technique used in martial arts
- Visit a village from the Jin Dynasty, taste local delicacies, and experience the living culture
Do You Need a Visa to Visit China from the USA?
Yes — U.S. citizens need a visa to visit mainland China, whether for tourism or business. You’ll need to apply in advance through a Chinese consulate or visa center, providing a valid passport (with at least six months remaining), a completed application form, a photo, and proof of flights and accommodation. Several airlines, including United, Delta, Air China, and China Eastern, offer direct flights from cities like New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle to major Chinese hubs such as Beijing and Shanghai. Once you gather the required documents, the application process is straightforward, and most visas are issued within a week.
