Fake Tanning: Cheat Your Way to a Summer Glow

The time has come for sleeveless tops and short shorts. Unfortunately, after being holed up for all of winter, many of you may feel shy about baring your pasty limbs. For ways to cheat your way to a summer glow, check out our list of the top tanning salons in town.

Black Golden Tanning Studio This German-managed studio is the exclusive partner for Ergoline, a leading tanning machine manufacturer in Europe. They are so committed to safety that they don’t even offer monthly cards, which they say encourage over-tanning over short durations of time. Ordinarily they charge RMB 100 for a 10-minute session, but all services are currently 20 percent off.
1) Rm 217, 2/F, Bldg 3, Sanlitun Soho, Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (5785 3711) www.bjtanning.com
朝阳区工体北路三里屯Soho3号楼2层217
2) Rm T5, 3/F, BOTAI International Building, 36 Beiguangshun Lu, Wangjing, Chaoyang District (8472 2855)
朝阳区望京广顺北大街36号博泰国际商业广场3层T—5（彩虹桥西北角）

Bronze Bodies Tanning Club Addicts swear by Bronze Bodies, which conveniently shares a floor with Yoga Yard. Facilities include an elliptically shaped sun bed with 48 lamps to ensure an even tan or a cabin for those who prefer standing. 10-minute sessions start from a very reasonable RMB 100, or you can buy a 10-session package for RMB 650 (in other words, just RMB 6.5/minute).
Daily 11am-9pm. 6/F, Bldg 17, 17 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District (6413 1180) 朝阳区工体北路17号菩提会所6层

db tanning This CBD salon recently opened a second location in 3.3 Shopping Center. db tanning has always had state-of-the-art facilities and service, but now they have Haprop’s tanning equipment from the Netherlands as well which apparently comes with an “secret red light collagen anti-aging device” to prevent fine lines, wrinkles and cellulite. (Their words, not ours.) Standard tanning costs RMB 10/minute, RMB 700/100 minutes or RMB 750/month for unlimited use. For the red light service, add a 20 percent extra time cost to any of the listed prices.
Daily 11am-9pm. 1) Rm 5005, 5/F, 3.3 Shopping Center, 33 Sanlitun Beijie, Chaoyang District (5136 5186) www.luxura.net 朝阳区三里屯北街33号3.3大厦5层5005
2) Rm 4307, Bldg 4, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhong Lu, Chaoyang District (5900 0427) 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho4号楼4307

MegaSun Tanning Salon With branches in more than 15 countries around the world, MegaSun’s Beijing flagship features the latest technology in terms of equipment and products. A single session costs RMB 180/10 minutes (standing) or 8 minutes (lying down), but you can print out an e-coupon for RMB 100 on their website right now.
Rm 2302, 3/F, SOHO Shangdu, 8 Dongdaqiao Lu (5900 2236) www.imegasun.com
朝阳区东大桥路8号SOHO尚都3层2302

Sunkissed Tanning Studio Because hipsters like to tan, too. If you splurge on a 240-minute membership (RMB 1,197), you get a free bottle of tanning lotion. Without a membership, it costs RMB 8/minute in their sun-baking equipment, all imported from Germany.
Tue-Sun 11am-9pm. 65 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District (6406 4453, 158 0104 7554) www.sunkissedbeijing.com 东城区雍和宫五道营胡同65号

Just remember, folks: Tan with caution. Let the photo below serve as a reminder to not over-do it.

Photos: MegaSun