Inside China's US$50 24-Hour Spa Craze Captivating Foreign Tourists

US vlogger Yemi was shocked after visiting a 24-hour bathhouse in Beijing — one of a growing number of Chinese "all-in-one” spa complexes going viral among international travelers, Economic View has reported.

For about US$50, visitors can stay around the clock with unlimited access to fruit, drinks, ice cream and snacks, along with a wide range of spa treatments. But it’s the sheer scale of amenities that stands out: quiet libraries, gaming lounges, KTV rooms, billiards tables, claw machines, foosball, air hockey — even private mahjong rooms.

"It’s a place where you can truly wander, eat and relax for hours,” Yemi said, describing the experience as more of a "staycation” than a quick spa visit.

As inbound tourism to China surges, foreign visitors are increasingly looking beyond traditional sightseeing toward immersive, everyday lifestyle experiences. On overseas social media platforms, "China 24-hour spa” has emerged as a viral trend.

At a Beijing outlet of spa center Shui Guo, several foreign visitors said they were drawn by online reviews and short videos.

A Canadian visitor who goes by the Chinese name Qiu Yiran said she has already visited four times in just a few months. "I love it here — it’s quiet, and everything is well-equipped,” she said.

Her routine includes soaking in thermal pools, applying a face mask, then heading upstairs for drinks, fruit and occasionally a movie, before returning for another round of bathing. "It’s incredibly relaxing,” she said.

Compared with Canada, the difference is stark. "Back home, you might get a massage and maybe a small place to sit and have tea. Nothing like this, and definitely not 24 hours,” she said. "I really wish we had something like this.”

She also tried gua sha (body scraping therapy) for the first time. She said she would happily pay around 300 yuan for the experience again.

For Simeon, a tourist from the UK visiting with his family, affordability and accessibility stood out. "In the UK, similar places are much more expensive and not really family-friendly,” he said. "Here, it’s perfect to bring kids.”

A visit to a comparable venue in Britain can cost between 100 and 150 pounds (US$132-198), far higher than prices in China, he added.

Nearby, French tourist Hadjira was playing billiards with her husband. "Everything feels new to us — we don’t have places like this in Europe," she said.

Irish creator Travis Leon recently racked up 9.57 million views on a short video documenting a similar experience in Chengdu, where he spent US$35 for a full overnight stay.

"In here, it’s cheaper than many hotels,” he said in the video, walking viewers through pools of varying temperatures, saunas, rest areas and dining spaces stocked with snacks and drinks.

"After you’ve soaked long enough to feel like melted chocolate, you can head to the restaurant,” he joked, before showcasing gaming rooms, cinemas, reading spaces and nap areas.

The video sparked widespread discussion online, with some viewers calculating that staying in such venues long-term could be cheaper than renting an apartment. Others noted that these bathhouse complexes are common across China — particularly in the colder northeast, where the culture originated.

According to Wu Liyun, a professor at the China Culture and Tourism Industry Institute, the trend reflects a broader shift in inbound travel.

"It’s a natural result of China’s tourism entering a new stage,” she said, pointing to the evolution of bathhouses from basic facilities into multi-functional leisure hubs.

Unlike traditional spas abroad, China’s bathhouses combine bathing, dining, entertainment and social interaction in one space, often at relatively low cost.

Despite language barriers — many staff do not speak English — visitors say the service experience remains positive.

"The staff are patient and helpful,” Yemi said. "It’s such a unique, high-quality experience — you’d really be missing out if you skipped it.”