Treats for Feet

Hot weather. Tired feet. Sound familiar? The solution is obvious – get a foot massage. There are places around every corner offering reflexology treatments to soothe away the aches. These are some of the best spas and massage specialists around.

Anantara Spa
Situated in the unmatchable surroundings of the Commune at the Great Wall, Anantara Spa’s holistic approach promotes physical and mental well-being as much as luxurious pampering. The spa has 15 treatment rooms including single suites and double rooms, all with private showering and changing facilities. The 60-minute foot massage is RMB 480, although for the distance you’ve traveled, you’re better off combining a foot massage with one of the lengthier packages. Yoga sessions offer an alternative to the spa treatments. Daily 10am-8pm (flexible opening hours on request). The Commune, Shuiguan Great Wall, Badaling Gaosulu, Yanqing County. (8118 1888 ext 5100/01, anantaraspa@commune.com.cn) 延庆县八达岭高速路水关长城出口长城脚下的公社凯宾斯基饭店

Bodhi Sense
Like the original branch of Bodhi on Gongti (see below), Bodhi Sense draws inspiration from both Thai and Chinese culture, but with an added touch of luxury. There are ten foot massage rooms and ten treatment rooms, all exquisitely decorated. Foot massages here run RMB 158 for 80 minutes. Early birds who come in before 6pm on Monday thru Friday pay only RMB 78 for the same treatment. Complimentary tea and light snacks are provided. Daily 11am-12.30am. 2/F, Somerset Grand Fortune Garden, 46 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District. (8440 1495/6) www.bodhi.com.cn 朝阳区亮马桥路46号盛捷副景苑公寓2层

Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat
This popular Thai-themed Workers’ Stadium-area spa features private rooms, aromatherapy massage, Thai massage, foot massage and Chinese body massage. Foot massages are RMB 158 for 80 minutes, or RMB 78 before 6pm on weekdays. Daily 11am-12.30am. 17 Gongti Beilu, Chaoyang District. (6417 9595) www.bodhi.com.cn 菩提会所, 朝阳区工体北路17号

Dragonfly Therapeutic Retreat
Dragonfly’s boutique operation avoids rowdy groups and leaves ample room for relaxation and solace. Their Oriental foot massages are RMB 135 for one hour, and if that is not enough, there is an exhaustive selection of extra massage and spa packages. If you buy a membership card for ten foot massages, you receive a 15% discount. 1) Daily 10am-1am. 60 Donghuamen Dajie (near the Peninsula Hotel and Oriental Plaza), Dongcheng District. (6527 9368); 2) Daily 10am-1am. 1/F, Eastern Hotel, Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6593 6066); 3) Daily 9am-midnight. 888 Pinnacle Plaza, Tianzhu, (near River Garden Villa and New International Exhibition Center), Shunyi District. (8046 6682) www.dragonfly.net.cn 1) 东城区东华门大街60号(近王府饭店和东方广场); 2) 朝阳区三里屯南路逸羽酒店1层; 3) 顺义区天竺荣祥广场888号,(近裕京花园和新国展)

Heavenly by Westin Chaoyang Spa
From the moment guests enter this spa, they are transported on an uplifting sensory journey. The air is filled with the calming aromas of Westin signature scents: white tea for renewal, citrus for energy, and lavender for relaxation and peace. Tranquil water features create a soothing aural backdrop complemented by renewal music crafted exclusively for Westin. Foot massages are RMB 450 for 50 minutes and RMB 550 for 80 minutes. An invigorating foot scrub accompanies the 80-minute reflexology treatment. All products used are from the Comfort Zone line. Daily 10am-11pm. Westin Beijing Chaoyang, 1 Xinyuan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (5922 8888)
朝阳区新源南路1号

Jing Club
In addition to its “Hong Kong-style” oil massages, which include the ever-intriguing back walking pressure massages, Jing Club offers many different massage and spa treatments. Traditional foot massages cost RMB 168 for 60 minutes at this Jianwai spa, which spans over 3,000 square meters. Daily 11am-2am. 3-5/F, Bldg C, CITIC Bldg, 19 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (8526 1100) 北京会，朝阳区建国门外大街19号国际大厦C座3-5层

Kocoon
Kocoon sets itself apart from the pack, specifically because it lacks the outrageously girly frills and frou-frou nonsense that the average Beijing nail bar is synonymous with. Natural light seeps through every part of the lounge, with natural wood, and abundant greenery sectioning off individual areas. There are 12 spa stations, where you can indulge in all manner of hand and foot treatments, although reservations are recommended for the two private spa rooms. A 35-minute European foot massage is RMB 198, and there are plenty more comforting treatments if 35 minutes isn’t long enough. Complimentary teas and baked goods are provided. Daily 11am-9.30pm (last appointment). Rm C301, 3/F, North Bldg, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beijie (west side), Chaoyang District. (5208 6068) 朝阳区三里屯北街西侧81号那里花园北楼3层C301室

Liangzi
This respected chain of foot massage establishments offers traditional health tips from the book of Chinese medicine (if your Chinese is up to scratch) to customers during their foot massages. Foot massages cost RMB 138 for 100 minutes, or RMB 198-230 (depending on location) for treatment by a certified TCM practitioner. Daily 10.30am-1.30am. 1) Jinzhiqiao Dasha, 1A Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6507 9285); 2) 1/F, Bldg A, Qingzhu Hotel, 1 Chedaogou, Haidian District. (6871 6903) 1) 朝阳区建国门外大街甲1号金之桥大厦; 2) 海淀区车道沟1号青竹宾馆A座1层

Long Island Massage & Spa
Long Island offers Chinese- and Thai-style massage and reflexology, as well as facials and other beauty treatments. A 90-minute Thai foot massage costs RMB 158, but if you head in before 5pm Monday to Thursday, it’ll only cost you RMB 98. Membership cards are available for further discounts. 1) Daily 10.30am-2am. 5/F, Nuo’an Bldg, southwest of the Kerry Centre, 14A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District. (5130 9718); 2) Daily 11am-12.30am. Jiahui Center (basement level), 6 Jiqingli, Dongcheng District. (6551 6112) 长岛健身, 1) 朝阳区光华路甲14号(嘉里中心西南侧诺安大厦5层); 2) 东城区吉庆里6号佳汇中心地下1层

Oriental Taipan 东方大班
This is one of the more successful spa chains in Beijing, now with multiple locations scattered conveniently around the city. In addition to the basic foot massage (RMB 168/90 minutes), there’s oil aromatherapy, hot stone treatment, beauty and skin care services and manicures and pedicures. Membership cards are available for further discount, but before 5pm on Monday to Friday, the 90-minute foot massage is discounted at only RMB 118. 1) Unit B1-3, Centraotel Beijing, 26A Jinrong Jie, Xicheng District. (6621 8622); 2) Unit S13, Bldg 25, Central Park Apartments Phase 3, 6 Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6597 0015) 1) 西城区金融街甲26号顺成饭店B1-B3号; 2) 朝阳区朝外大街6号新城国际公寓三期25号楼S13

Compiled by Jennifer Ying Lan