[Hai Lights] Where to Soak This Winter in and Beyond Shanghai

Winter in southern China feels very different from the cold in the north – and that, in itself, is the perfect excuse to soak in a hot spring, isn't it?

Whether you're visiting Shanghai for a short trip or living here long-term, these bathhouses are all excellent options. And if you're willing to travel just a little farther for a true hot spring, be patient – the second half of this article will likely be just what you're looking for.

Flower Island (海上花岛)

One of Shanghai's hottest bathhouse destinations this year is Flower Island. It combines bathhouses, barbecue and leisure on Chongming Island near Dongping National Forest Park.

This is a garden-style outdoor bathhouse complex, surrounded by what feels like a natural oxygen bar. Set among rose fields and open lawns, the bathhouses span more than 8,000 square meters, creating a scenic and relaxing environment.

There are dozens of baths, each with different functions. The resort uses a Japanese hot spring soft-water system with 24-hour real-time monitoring.

Each bath operates on an independent circulation and purification system, making the water gentle and skin-friendly. Among them, the rose and violet baths are especially popular – and very photogenic. A dedicated family-friendly bath is also available, allowing children to play safely.

Prefer soaking indoors? That's an option too. The first floor features separate bathing areas for men and women. The second floor offers sauna rooms, foot massage services and relaxation areas, while the third floor provides spa treatments.

After your soak, you can enjoy hot pot, barbecue and beer. After the meal, head to the outdoor bar area for some karaoke. If afternoon tea is more your thing, that's available too – perfect for a laid-back afternoon.

Opening hours: 12pm-12am

Tel: 5669-6088

Average price: 124 yuan (US$17.7) per person

Address: No. 801, Qianwei Village, Weijiu Rd, Shuxin Town, Chongming District

崇明区竖新镇纬九路前卫村801号

Qu Shui Lan Ting (曲水兰亭)

Qu Shui Lan Ting is often described as the "Hermès of bathhouse buffets," with prices starting at over 1,500 yuan (US$214) per person.

The all-you-can-eat spread is truly comprehensive, featuring fresh ingredients, unlimited seafood, seasonal fruit and a free-flowing selection of drinks.

You'll find king crab, freshwater lobsters, hairy crab, sweet shrimp and salmon, along with a wide selection of seasonal fruit and desserts. In addition to the buffet, you can also order à-la-carte items, such as fish maw and sea cucumber soup and Cantonese dim sum.

The venue spans five floors.

On the first floor, the bathing area features hot spring soaking, as well as a full makeup space stocked with high-end brands, primarily Dior and Chanel.

The second floor is an entertainment and relaxation zone, with movie rooms, card games and rest areas, plus unlimited fruit, desserts and drinks available at all times. Massage treatments are available but charged separately.

On the fourth floor, the guest rooms include some of the most luxurious suites, with a few even having hosted female celebrities. These top-tier rooms come with balconies, oversized soaking tubs, sauna facilities and private spa amenities.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Tel: 6073-5888

Average price: 1,526 yuan per person

Address: 3337 Hongmei Rd, Minhang District

闵行区虹梅路3337号

Yang Space (漾·SPACE汤泉生活)

Located in the heart of Lujiazui's core business district, Yang Space enjoys a prime location with excellent transport links.

Compared with similar venues, it is relatively more affordable, with an average spend of around 325 yuan per person (including food), positioning it in the mid-to-high-end range. While the price is not low, the quality of service and overall experience are first-rate, offering solid value for money.

Yang Space offers a diverse range of facilities and services, including hot springs, saunas, KTV rooms, a children's play area, spa and wellness treatments, and dining options.

The entire space is designed in a Japanese-inspired artistic style, with a strong sense of Japanese aesthetics throughout.

Fruit and drinks are plentiful, with high-end fruit available 24 hours a day at no extra charge.

The beverage area also features drinks such as Starbucks coffee and Perrier, while Häagen-Dazs ice cream is freely available. Dining options include stir-fried dishes, noodles, barbecue, and seafood, all reasonably priced and well prepared.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Tel: 6073-5888

Average price: 325 yuan per person

Address: 57 Pudian Rd, Pudong New Area

浦东新区浦电路57号

Bi Hai Yun Tian (碧海云天)

Experience calm at a 10,000-square-meter Korean-style bathhouse with a minimalist design.

This place is perfect for family gatherings and leisure, with a large children's playground, guest rooms, a library, a tea room, a cinema, table tennis and SPA massage services.

Relax in the hot pools, Korean-style steam room and spa. Continuous filtration keeps the water pure. Delight your taste buds with a variety of snacks.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Tel: 5890-6666

Average price: 152 yuan per person

Address: 1058 Chuahuan Rd S., Pudong New Area

浦东新区川环南路1058号

Ji Le Tang (极乐汤)

Known for its affordability, this establishment spans 15,000 square meters. Seven Japanese-style bathtubs create a Kyoto-inspired atmosphere with hot stone therapy and rock baths that encourage perspiration for detoxification. Six rock baths offer different therapeutic benefits based on individual constitutions.

You can customize your experience with 12 unique pools monitored for water quality every hour. Soft water in hot pools ensures a relaxing dip.

After the dip, relax in the sauna and spa for a refreshing experience.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Tel: 6782-2777

Average price: 138 yuan per person

Address: Bldg 2, Lane 7076, Chuanzhou Highway, Pudong New Area

浦东新区川周公路7076弄2号

Lian Quan Da Jiang Hu (涟泉大江户)

The hotel's several-thousand-square-meter bathhouse brilliantly recreates Japanese culture and the Edo-style environment.

Each pool has its beauty, but a cutting-edge circulation system ensures water quality that is safe for babies. Once inside the bathing sanctuary, a delicate mist creates an ethereal atmosphere. There are medicinal, carbonated and massage pools as well.

After a relaxing soak, head to the third floor for a rock bath sauna. This floor features Japanese tatami mats, comfy sofas, a constant flow of fruit juices, a trendy lounge, spa massage services, etc.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Tel: 5296-7270

Average price: 186 yuan per person

Address: 1-3/F, Bldg 2, 288 Xinfu Rd, Minhang District

闵行区莘福路288号2号楼1-3楼

Qi Le Tang (齐乐汤)

Shanghai's largest Japanese-style bathhouse offers calm and elegance.

Over 2,000sqm of soft water baths offer a variety of rejuvenating options.

The famous "Japanese beauty soft water" enhances the experience, along with over 60 delicious dishes.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Tel: 3365-7777

Average price: 182 yuan per person

Address: 369 Hudi Rd, Fengxian District

奉贤区湖堤路369号

Shui Guo Tang Quan Sheng Huo (水裹·汤泉生活)

This elegant 18,000sqm facility blends luxurious design with superb service. It stands out among Japanese- and Korean-style steam rooms with its slick modern aesthetics and large space, including a sofa area.

In the changing room, guests can choose a fruit-themed bathrobe.

Enjoy fragrant floral tea and relaxed chats in the sauna. Hot water appears to melt stress and exhaustion here.

Services such as body cleaning, foot treatments, and massages are available.

The third floor has a fun arcade and a stylish bowling rink for all kinds of entertainment preferences. Exclusive activity rooms are perfect for small gatherings, while the screening room and lounge are for a relaxed time.

Opening hours: 24 hours

Tel: 3328-6969

Average price: 343 yuan per person

Address: B1, Bldg H, B Hall of Longfor Paradise Walk, Shenchang Rd, Minhang District

闵行区申长路龙湖虹桥天街B馆H栋B1层

If you've made it this far, here are some true hot springs worth checking out.

Yu Shui Hot Spring (御水温泉)

At Tianmu Lake, you can stroll through the bamboo forest, refresh your eyes and lungs, and indulge in a hot spring soak!

This location features a rare bicarbonate-calcium hot spring in East China, known for its skin-softening, fatigue-relieving, and rejuvenating qualities. It's a natural mineral spring that promotes both physical and mental well-being. It's also listed as one of China's "top 10 hot springs."

With 52 outdoor pools and 4 indoor pools scattered across 3,500-mu (about 233 hectares) of bamboo forest, the privacy of the hot springs is well-maintained, and you can enjoy beautiful mountain views while soaking.

If you prefer indoor settings, you'll also love the temperature-controlled glass rooms.

The hot spring area includes a variety of functional pools, such as massage pools, hot stone baths, Turkish baths, a unique nine-grid hotpot pool, and a charging area (where you can add rose petals or herbal ingredients).

Beverages and light snacks are also available, and there are restaurants and accommodations to complete the experience – perfect for couples or families.

A 10-minute walk will take you to the Nanshan Bamboo Sea Scenic Area. You can also visit the nearby Tianmu Lake Natural Scenery Park to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Opening hours: 1pm-9:30pm

Tel: 0519-8793-8888

Average price: 228 yuan per person

Address: No. 888, Lijiayuan Village, Changzhou, Jiangsu Province

江苏省常州市李家园村888号

Sun Island Shanghai Resort Hotel

The 2,500-mu Sun Island Shanghai Resort Hotel in Shanghai's Zhujiajiao Town, Qingpu District, offers a great island retreat.

The Han- and Tang-style hotel has eight outdoor pools, five therapeutic energy rooms, an indoor heated pool, private indoor chambers, children's recreational facilities, and several private indoor hot chambers, all set amid lush, oxygen-rich woodlands.

The 35-40 degrees Celsius hot pools provide visitors with a tranquil, natural setting amidst the oxygen-rich woodland and the resort offers bathing, steaming, relaxation and therapeutic wellness.

The resort is family-friendly, offering a children's heated pool, a pet-friendly cat house, and parent-child activities, ensuring fun for the whole family.

A true one-stop vacation destination, it combines hot springs, gourmet dining, accommodation, and entertainment – perfect for a weekend getaway without the need to move around.

In addition, the resort serves traditional Chinese warm beverages and seasonal fruits, enhancing the multi-sensory experience across its outdoor pools, energy rooms, indoor pools, and recreational areas.

Opening hours: 1pm-10pm

Tel: 6186-9666

Average price: 155 yuan per person

Address: 2588 Shentai Rd, Qingpu District

青浦区沈太路2588号

Ninghai Forest Hot Springs

Located in the heart of nature, Ninghai Forest Hot Springs is a hidden gem in Nanxi Village, Ninghai County. Surrounded by lush mountains and babbling streams, it's the ideal getaway for those looking to unwind and reconnect with nature. As a 4A-rated tourist destination, this place is the ultimate retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Discovered in 1958, Ninghai Forest Hot Springs is one of China's most prized hot springs. The water, naturally sourced from deep underground, flows at 49.5 degrees Celsius, with over 8,000 cubic meters of water emerging each day.

Rich in over 20 minerals and trace elements like radon, lithium, and fluoride, the water is not only soothing but also packed with health benefits. With a metasilicic acid content of 67.2mg/l, the spring water is known for its therapeutic properties.

Opening hours: 1pm-9:30pm (Last entry at 8:30pm)

Tel: 0574-6526-0590

Average price: 178 yuan per person

Address: Nanxi Village, Shenquan Town, Ninghai County, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province

浙江省宁波市宁海县南溪村

Yunlanwan Hotspring Resort

Just a 15-minute drive from Yue Li in Jiashan, Yunlanwan Hotspring Resort is the ultimate getaway, spanning over 866,666 square meters with nine themed zones and 60 indoor and outdoor pools.

It's one of the rare hot spring destinations in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai area.

From outdoor garden hot springs to German hydrotherapy zones and a child-friendly water play area, there's something for everyone. Unique experiences like bubble baths, volcanic mud baths, milk baths, and even hot pot baths make it well worth a visit.

This hot spring originates from the Jiare No. 2 Well, drilled in 2008 under the Ministry of Land and Resources. It was the first authentic hot spring discovered in the Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou Plain. Its water emerges at around 42 degrees Celsius, and it's packed with minerals and trace elements. The metasilicic acid content is 2.1 times the national standard, making it a "natural beauty soap" with skincare benefits. It's even recognized as China's first official "beauty hot spring."

The indoor swimming pool is perfect for escaping the sun, complete with water slides, sprinklers, and a ball pit to keep the little ones entertained.

On the second floor, you'll find a game room, fitness center, and sound therapy room for a well-rounded family experience.

Head to the third floor to discover a breathtaking 600-square-meter infinity pool. The pool features a mirror-like surface, making it ideal for snapping photos and soaking in the views. Enjoy unlimited fruit, drinks, and ice cream while you relax.

Opening hours:10am-10pm

Tel: 0573-8466-2888

Average price: 386 yuan per person

Address: 888 Hot Spring Ave, Jiashan County, Jiaxing City

嘉兴市嘉善县温泉大道888号

Pro Tips

Don't soak when you're hungry, just ate, or after drinking alcohol.

If you're exhausted from travel, long walks, or lack of sleep, take a break first. Soaking right away can make you dizzy.

Skip the hot spring if you're feeling overly emotional, angry, or your heart is racing.

If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, or any acute or infectious illness, it's best to avoid hot springs.

Take off metal jewelry. Hot spring minerals can cause discoloration.

Start warm, not hot. Let your body adjust before increasing the temperature. Dry off quickly, and avoid cold wind.

Keep each soak to 15-20 minutes, with breaks in between. A "soak, rest, and then soak" rhythm works best.

Stand up slowly to avoid lightheadedness.

Keep your head above water. Do not submerge nor hold your breath.

Drink water, rest well, and apply moisturizer after soaking.