From dim sum to deep sleep: Inside China’s 24-hour spa obsession

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Midnight Retreat

In Shanghai, it’s not nightclubs that never sleep—it’s spas. Locals slip into silky robes at 2 a.m., nibble on dim sum between hot baths, and fall asleep to soft jazz in cocoon pods. What started as a wellness idea has become China’s favorite midnight ritual—and the internet can’t get enough.

Steamy Escapism

Gone are the quiet, candlelit spa clichés. These 24-hour Chinese sanctuaries hum with energy—karaoke laughter spilling from one floor, digital mahjong clicks from another. The heat of saunas meets the buzz of social life, redefining how people unwind after a long day (or night).

Urban Utopia

Imagine: saunas, sushi bars, VR rooms, and nap pods—all under one roof. That’s not luxury; that’s lifestyle in modern China. The country’s new mega-spas are turning city stress into a full-body experience of indulgence that’s shockingly affordable.

Affordable Indulgence

At $35 a night, you can soak, snack, and snooze in style—without checking into a hotel. Chinese 24-hour spas are reshaping budget travel, offering everything from sleep pods to salt caves, proving that wellness doesn’t have to come with a five-star bill.

Burnout Cure

Studies show urban exhaustion is spiking, with 62% of Indian workers reporting burnout. China’s 24-hour spas may have cracked the code: round-the-clock sanctuaries where you can detox your mind and body—no booking months in advance, no guilt about “doing nothing.”

Social Serenity

Forget solo self-care. These spas turn relaxation into a communal affair—friends chatting in hot pools, families dining in robes, gamers lounging between dips. It’s wellness with Wi-Fi and laughter, proving relaxation can be social, not solitary.

Digital Detox

Ironically, what’s trending online is a place to log off. In a world of endless scrolls, these spas offer something rare: stillness that feels luxurious. As psychologists note, this “structured rest” could be the reset urban dwellers desperately need.

Cultural Remix

Rooted in ancient Chinese bathhouse culture, these spas remix tradition with tech—onsen-inspired pools beside VR lounges. It’s a sensory symphony of the old and new, mirroring China’s broader transformation: fast, futuristic, yet deeply ritualistic.

India’s Missing Haven

In India’s cities where burnout hums louder than traffic, such 24-hour sanctuaries could be revolutionary. Imagine an oasis open round-the-clock, offering massages, meals, and midweek naps—all without luxury pricing. It’s not just a spa; it’s survival for the overworked.