We are always saying that jingkids is all about readers, and so it gives us great pleasure to announce our first live event for 2023 – a special get-together for expectant mothers at the newly refurbished Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat on Gongti Road!

The tea time event is an opportunity for us to get in touch with expatriate soon-to-be parents who are currently residing in Beijing, as well as a chance for pregnant moms to meet other expecting moms. We want to hear firsthand how jingkids can better serve the needs of our readers, and we believe it best to create meaningful connections through intimate small-group events.

In collaboration with Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat expat owner Michelle Hemsin, the event offers a 30-minute neck-and-shoulders massage by highly trained masseuses, as well as light refreshments, in a private spa setting where we will be free to chat and mingle. With an 18-year history in the capital city, Bodhi is a popular spa sanctuary among both expats and locals here, with a reputation for its cleanliness and professionalism.

This event will be held on Tue, Feb 28, from 1.30pm onwards, at Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat on Gongti Road. This event is limited to a maximum of ten guests. The special ticket price is RMB 158 and includes a RMB 100 voucher for future use at the spa.

Date: Feb 28 1.30pm
Location: Bodhi Therapeutic Retreat 17 Gongti Bei Lu
Ticket: RMB 158 per pax

Scan the QR code in the poster to secure your spot!

Images: Unsplash, Pexels, True Run Media

The past few weeks have been a little… chaotic, to say the least. So, you can be forgiven if you forgot that this coming Sunday is Mother’s Day. It’s a little late for TaoBao to help you but don’t worry, all of these local businesses can make sure you get a gift that will make it look like you planned ahead.

For the traditionalist: Blooms are a classic for a reason, Studio Flowers will make sure a perfect bouquet shows up just in time to brighten mom’s day. Bonus points if you send one to the home and one to the office.

For the Domestic Goddess: She makes it look easy (it’s not).  Between work, online learning, and trying to use all the food we panic-bought before it rots, mom is likely to be more than a little stressed. Some aromatherapy might be in order. Local teachers and owners of Tallow Candle can put together a homemade box of candles that smell like anything from baking cookies to fresh-cut grass. All are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

For Super Mom: Unwinding at the spa isn’t the only way of de-stressing. Sometimes you just gotta’ hit something. Help mom finds her inner warrior and shake up her fitness routine with Warrior One.

For the Cosmo Mama: It’s about the little luxuries. Whether mom has a signature scent, a favorite face mask, or just loves the latest MAC lipstick line, Marsha will hook you up. Send a photo of the product and she will track it down for you!

PRO TIP: Get a few of mom’s favorite indulgences and arrange them into a gift basket for a little extra wow factor.

For the Fashionista: The carpool lane is her runway. For a new Hermès scarf, a classic pair of Channel sunglasses, or chic Kate Spade earrings Po & Liz are my first call. They always let me know what is in stock and available fast. The quality has always been great with easy returns if something is not quite right.

For the Spa Mama: Anything that gives mom one less thing to worry about is always a good idea. Alice Beauty is offering a special on laser hair removal so she can cross shaving off her to-do list this summer. They also offer amazing facials, manicures, and a host of other beauty services. Contact for details, appointments or to get gift certificates.

For the Bunch Mama: …Because she probably is missing free flow right now: If brunch out isn’t an option this weekend, make sure mom has a perfect breakfast in bed cocktail to go with her eggs and waffles with the help of Jacqueline. Whether you need a bottle (or case) of prosecco for the makings for a perfect Aperol spritz or if mom has a discerning palate for Italian reds, Jacqueline will help you find the perfect poison (so to speak) and ship them right to your door in time for a lovely Mothers’ Day tipple.

Images: Pexels, Studio Flowers, Tallow Candles, Canva, Weheartwine

KEEP READING: Panic Groceries About to Go Bad? Try this.

They’re gone! After several weeks of online learning, you finally sent them back to campus. The house is in shambles, the laundry is piling up, and your kitchen looks like it was the site of a science experiment (because it probably was). But let’s focus on the most important thing first – a little self-care! Whether you just need a fresh coat of paint on your nails or are four weeks overdue for your laser hair removal treatment, you need to spend a little time on yourself.

Here are some of Beijing’s best beauty treatment facilities to help you get your glow back.

Alice Beauty and Nail

Alice provides an assortment of high-quality facials, massages, nail treatments, and many other services. Right now, she is partnering with Yoga Spirit for a special health and wellness package. Scan the QR code for more information.

Hummingbird Spa

Hummingbird is the best of East meets West, offering everything from traditional Chinese massage to modern radiofrequency facials in clean and calm facilities located in the CBD. Scan the QR code for more information.

Dragonfly Spa

Along with the usual massages and facials, Dragonfly is known for its pretty cool nail art and eyelashes. Multiple locations across the city mean plenty of options to choose from. Scan the QR code to reach customer service.

Bodhi Spa

Traditional and upscale, they specialize in Thai therapies and offer multi-service packages. I strongly recommend their body scrub and massage to slough off the worst of the winter weather. Scan the QR code for locations and details.

Marina Studio

A small studio located inside Laurent Falcon, Marina offers everything from laser hair removal to body sculpting treatments. Bonus, all employees speak perfect English so there is less risk of miscommunication. Scan the QR code to learn more about services and get location information.

Images: Alice Beauty and Nail, Dragonfly, Bodhi Spa, Marina Studio, Canva

KEEP READING: Can ‘One Night Stand’ Shake Up Your Date Night?

Did you know that there is a g-spot in the ear canal? I didn’t. And after my supposed ear orgasm experience recently, I’m not sure that mine is working.

享耳空间 Xiǎng ěr kōngjiān is an ear cleaning and sensory experience specialist center, which simply translates to Ear Orgasm in English. For the price of a one-hour massage, you will get a deep ear cleaning and massage, which includes one upper body part (head, shoulders or back) of your choice. Watch the video below for a glimpse of the whole ear orgasm experience, and then keep reading. Because who doesn’t want to know more about this?!

They start by peering into your ears with little finger-sized torches to assess how much they need to clean, then proceed to tease your senses by running feathers over your face before the cleaning begins. A pair of tweezers does most of the dirty work, and at the end, they use what felt like a pipe cleaner to softly brush the insides of my ear. I was both thrilled and disgusted by the stuff she pulled out, and if you want to experience the same sensations (that is, equal parts disgust and thrill), then definitely go watch that video! My specialist also used a small video camera to show me what the insides of my ear looked like after. It was rather red and irritated – which is apparently perfectly normal for a first-timer – but squeaky clean without a hint of ear wax or dead skin in sight.

To put your mind at ease, they use brand new instruments for every client, and are always sensitive to your needs, ready to stop any time you feel uncomfortable.

Scientific research shows that an ear massage triggers the release of the body’s natural painkillers, a.k.a endorphins. So basically, when your ear gets stimulated, you feel pleasure. Accordingly, my friend promised that I would have such an incredible time that I got pretty excited myself, but in the end, it was mostly cleaning catharsis that I felt. The ear massage was good and the upper body massage was decent, but you can tell that’s hardly their area of expertise. I’m not surprised that I failed to experience an ear orgasm, since I’ve never been particularly good at listening and sometimes think I’m prematurely going deaf. Which is to say my ears are probably a bit dead inside. But if you’re sensitive to sound, or if you just want to see if they can find your ear g-spot, go ahead and book an appointment!

Ear Orgasm has several outlets all over Beijing, including ones in Dongzhimen, Shuangjing, and Haidian district. Find the outlet closest to you by searching the name (享耳空间) in Dazhongdianping.

KEEP READING: YuSpa Indulges All the Senses With Forest Air, Organic Oils and Singing Bowls

Images: Vivienne Tseng-Rush

We did it! We made it through Golden Week with our kids home by our side 24/7, plagued by far too many cold and rainy days. Suffice to say, I’m quite thrilled and proud of myself for not having lost my temper, even coming to thoroughly enjoy my kid’s company on the best days. Now that we survived this period, however, we deserve some serious R&R. How does a spa treatment that will completely transport you through a soothing sound bath and delicious scents while you get a lovely massage, followed by a yummy snack bar, sound?

Yes, please! Join us on an indulgent afternoon as we discover a spa that goes beyond the ordinary in the video below.

YuSpa, conveniently located at Chaowai SOHO in the heart of Beijing, was introduced to me by a friend and dubbed her favorite spa in the capital. When you enter its elegant black and gold premises, you are ushered into a MUJI-esque waiting room and served a refreshing drink. Your masseuse will also introduce herself (mine was called Clover) and assist you in choosing your own personalized massage oil blend. Each wooden table holds a tray of some 30 essential oils, many of which are organically sourced and expertly curated. You get to mix in two or three scents depending on which level of spa experience you pay for, along with a base oil: grapeseed for dry skin, avocado for aging skin, so on and so forth.

Before stepping into the massage room, our masseuse made it a point to show us that the air within the rooms had been filtered to pass for forest air. The temperature is tightly regulated to hit that sweet spot between warm and cold. When you step into the minimalist massage rooms meant to resemble infinite space, you don’t quite know where the walls start and the ceiling begins. You feel endless.

Included in the price at YuSpa are fluffy room slippers that my friend likens to stepping on clouds, which you are welcome to bring home. The amenities were truly extraordinary, and even include an eyebrow pencil for after-massage touch-up, contact lens cases, and solution for storage.

Big on allowing you to be in charge, the spa also empowers you to choose the background music for your massage. Choices include rain, ocean, and forest sounds, or a classical piano soundtrack.

The massage started with a clear ringing from a Tibetan singing bowl, a familiar sound for me as I have attended several sound baths in the past. The masseuse struck the bowl again, placing it gently on the soles of my feet to allow the reverberation to echo through my body. It is the vibration of these sound waves that possess the purported healing effects, you see.

At the end of the 60-minute massage, we were treated again to a melodious symphony, this time with a rainmaker and wind chimes. These delightful noises were a welcome distraction from the faint, low thumping beats radiating through the walls from the nearby dance studio. No matter how much you try to create a refuge within your own walls, you can’t control your neighbors…

After we were clothed and left the room, our masseuses greeted us and led us on a short “tour” through the hallways, showing us the various certifications and licenses the spa holds. They also proudly display their staff’s names and smiling faces, almost like a family portrait. We passed by the bathroom, decked out in black and gold again, and sporting a rain shower. Then we were back in the MUJI waiting room, with a pleasant spread of snacks and refreshments. We stayed for a full hour, just chatting and going back and forth to the snack buffet. I am not even ashamed to say I had multiple servings of the rice cereal boat, which was a yummy fusion of Western and Asian tastes.

YuSpa currently offers a DianPing promotion for first-timers to the spa, so the one-star 60-minute massage experience will cost RMB 288 instead of the usual RMB 636. The higher level two-star massage of the same length (which I detailed in this article) is only a little more at RMB 358, which is totally worth the price tag.

YuSpa Chaowai SOHO Address: Chaoyang District Hujialou Street Chaowai SOHO Block A B1 Floor B107-108
中国北京市朝阳区国贸朝阳门外大街乙6号A座B107

KEEP READING: A Little Pre-Baby Pampering: Blissful Spa Day for Mom-To-Be

Images: Pexels, Vivienne Tseng-Rush 

I’ve been in Beijing for almost two years now and it never ceases to amaze me how many beautifully groomed women live in the capital. Growing up as somewhat of a tomboy (do we still say that anymore?) in sunny, sweaty Singapore and being blessed/cursed with little body hair, I never really bothered with plucking my eyebrows or waxing my legs (even though my husband tells me I have hairy knees). What’s more, I’d never had a manicure before my husband brought me to a nail salon on one of our first dates. 

It wasn’t until my 20 or 21st birthday that I was finally inducted into the ever-changing world of female beauty standards when my best friend bought me a Groupon for laser hair removal. I continued with the sessions for a couple of years until I had no more hair in unwanted places (I still never did my legs). I started facials the same way: with a special trial price, then got sucked into the beauty black hole to “cure” all my imperfections, from pimples to freckles. Then, after childbirth, it was my postpartum tummy and jelly thighs… it just never ends.

But the Beijing belle takes things to a whole new level. I spoke to a few well-kept Beijing ladies about how they maintain their picture-perfect selves and worked out their grooming schedule and costs at the salon/spa: 

Facials: Weekly, RMB 380
Eyelash extensions: Every three weeks, RMB 300
Eyebrows: Every four weeks, RMB 200
Hair removal (Underarm or leg being the most common): Every four weeks, Starting from RMB 150
Hair Cut: Every four weeks, RMB 350
Hair Color: Whenever the mood strikes/every six weeks for maintenance, RMB 800
Hair Care: Every four weeks, RMB 350
Manicure and Pedicures: Every four weeks, RMB 600 for both

Phew. And that’s before we delve into more invasive procedures such as Botox, which is surprisingly common here. But that’s a whole other Pandora’s box all its own. No wonder women are always pictured at the salon or in the midst of some kind of beauty regimen (think Julia Roberts with the cold cream and cucumber eye masks in My Best Friend’s Wedding). If we are to look anything like how we are imagined to look, we would have to dedicate an incredible amount of time to the pursuit of pretty. 

I’d like to point out that I’m typing this as I sit in a hair salon getting my hair colored and cut, so I’m a complete victim of the endless pursuit. 

But what if you could do it all from home and for a significantly lower cost?

That’s where the 河狸家 Hé lí jiā app steps in. This decade-old app is the secret that a Beijing belle and good friend of mine shared with me. Its mainstay is dedicated to providing at-home beauty services, though there is also an option to book appointments at over 5,000 beauty salons and spas through the app.

When you first download the app, it will ask you to choose the categories that you are most interested in – from nails to make-up to body treatments.

Booking an appointment on the same day is easy, just click the button circled below to view available time slots! I was able to book an appointment for eyelash extensions within three hours.

They also claim to provide 24 hour service, though I have yet to test that myself…

The lowest price I saw for eyelash extensions was RMB 99, and the most expensive was RMB 488, so how much you spend is really up to you.

Pro Tip: My Beijing belle friend used the app until she discovered a particular service provider that she really clicked with, and has since personally set up appointments with her, in order to enjoy more exclusive service.

So there you have it, a beauty app that will hopefully save you some time and money!

KEEP READING: In Favor of Guasha Over the Knife

Images: 河狸家

After a very busy week of moving home and unpacking 40 boxes, I was in need of a well-deserved break. I left my new home just as it was, and headed over to the Hummingbird in Central Park, CBD area. I was surprised by a sunny and good air day, but gosh, I was so tired, overwhelmed, and had no energy.

I spoke with the manager about this and she recommended I do the Super Taiji Spa Journey (80 minutes for RMB 898). The Super Taiji Spa Journey is a warm massage with a natural electrothermal ball. This special heating stone is used to massage all over the body, and let me tell you that feels very good.

This special massage relieves joint pains and muscle pains, dredges the meridian, and can be used during menstruation. To add a bit of extra energy to my life we added a cupping session for around RMB 98. Cupping therapy is a method using glass cups to apply pressure by a vacuum. Chinese medicine believes that the body contains Meridians: paths in the body through which the energy of life, called Qi, flows. When these meridians are opened, the internal energy is able to flow through the whole body. I needed all of this.

The massage was especially pleasant. I was scared it would be painful, but my therapist took care and was gentle, and would ask me if the pressure was OK. I’ll be honest, I was surprised by the cupping as I had done it once before but it was not as hard; however the feeling is actually quite special. I was left to relax with a bunch of jars on my back, and after he removed them he massaged the front of my body.

When I left the spa I was still tired; I thought I would be energized. But then I went to eat some hot soup and drink tea, I was ready to continue with the organization of my home. After 90 minutes in the spa I felt able to attack all the troubles in the world again, and I have some really cool cupping bruises to show for it.

Hummingbird Spa is a cozy and warm environment with therapists that are kind, some of whom speak basic English. I would be happy to return to this special place of relaxation in the middle of the Beijing hustle and bustle anytime.

Photos: Hummingbird and pixabay 

In late 2014, I started to have these crazy migraine episodes. My fingertips would numb, my lips would numb, and I would be bedridden for about 6 to 8 hours as I slept off this migraine that would cloud my vision and make me dizzy and sick. I investigated the possibility of anemia, pollution, too quick of weight loss, and dehydration. But still, I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I had a history of migraines due to sinus and eyesight issues before, but they were never this terrible and frequent.

Lesson learned here is that I should have just gone to a doctor straight away, but I thought it was just a phase. Sometimes the migraines would disappear for months only to resurface again for a while. Then this past year, these terrible migraines started to haunt me again and disturbed my workflow.

Long story short, a massage therapist friend happened to hear about my migraines and the symptoms. “That sounds like pinched spinal nerve in your neck.”

That assessment was spot on. I began to start to notice how tight I was in my neck, shoulders, and back. When I would go to get massages, everyone would tell me my muscles were really tight and my back was really tired. Skeptical, I mentioned to my friend, “But what if my back just has more muscles than most?” She laughed. “I can attest to how tight your back is. You’ve got big knots.”

I couldn’t be more thankful to be in China with this problem. My father had a traumatic car accident when I was in Grade 3. He had a slipped and pinched disc due to the accident and has been on back pain medicine for years. Through all the surgeries, shots, and treatments Western medicine has to offer, he still doesn’t have relief. But alternative medical options in the US are hard to afford or to find.

So, this new knowledge of my neck issues led me on a quest (given by my massage therapist friend) to find proper neck exercises and to loosen up those tense back muscles.

Finding the neck exercises was easy! Did you know there are a handful of virtual chiropractors that make YouTube videos to help get back healthcare to the masses? These exercises helped so much.

The harder part has been finding affordable, clean, and nice massage parlors. Thus far, the most luxurious massages I’ve had have been at Nuo Hotel and China World Hotel. I would definitely recommend these both as treats, but for regular therapy reasons, obviously the price isn’t sustainable (follow the links to hear about my staycations and review).

Lucky for you, I don’t mind having this problem and reviewing every massage parlor I can find in the city until I find one that’s perfect for me. I’ll expose the duds and help you find gems in the city, great for your own needs or for visitors who stay for a season.

Dirty Ashtray Parlor (Yizhuang, Daxing)
The first is found in a Maili Mei supermarket area in Yizhuang. It’s popular because of its location and convenience near to many favorite eateries, but beware, you should steer clear if you ever find yourself in the area. The parlor is in a basement level and prices are reasonable in comparison to its competitors (RMB 200 per hour per person range). But the smell of cigarettes is not only in the air, it’s also in the furniture and clinging to the tacky wallpaper. The place is dirty, and I wouldn’t even be so cruel as to suggest this parlor as a prank. It’s too bad because the massage isn’t too bad once your headache clears. Chinese practices are mixed into the massage, with cupping being practiced on the soles of your feet at the end of the full body massage.

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars. Don’t go. I paid for this massage, but I won’t be paying again.

Lower-Mid Range Rustic Spa (Yizhuang, Daxing)
The other is found next to a popular Yizhuang coffee shop, Oly Café. As far as lower-middle range spas go, this one isn’t bad. The ambiance of this spa is nice once you enter into the actual rooms, though the lobby is tacky. The price is good at RMB 180 for 45 minutes for a back massage with two essential oils.

For the most part I enjoyed this massage because the woman had some strong hands and really worked on my back. She pointed out to me that my back was tight and that I needed to relax more. She was genuinely very concerned about me, which was sweet considering most other ladies don’t really talk about the state of your back. Another friend went with me and she also really enjoyed her experience, though she doesn’t have the same issues I do.

Unfortunately, during the course of the massage, I smelled a strange sewer smell wafting from the bathroom, like the plumbing needed to be fixed. It wasn’t a strong smell, but I think those with sensitive noses might find it unpleasant.

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars. Though it’s no Nuo, the price and the aggressive pressure makes this a great spa for me. The location would make it hard for anyone coming from the city, though.

克缇护肤生活馆
Everyday, 10am-10pm. Yizhuang Development Zone Central mansion Deshang. 亦庄开发区中央公馆底商. (67897040)

Clean, Crisp Chinese Medicine Spa in Ocean Garden (Sanyuanqiao)
I was invited to come review this spa (百会能量养生SPA会所), and why on earth would I pass up the chance to do this considering my issues?

Unfortunately, this was my first real experience with Chinese Medicine massages, and I didn’t enjoy the harder scrapping aspect of this massage. I asked the woman several times to stop applying so much pressure, and I had to make a bit of a fuss to get her to stop. This was a small painful part of the massage, but the other aspects before the scrapping, (the regular massage, cupping, light exfoliation, and heat pressure), were all enjoyable. They gave me this massage because I told them about my back and neck issues, and to the massage therapists defense, she did give my neck plenty of attention.

The spinal red streak was formed with heat pressure, not scrapping. That heat pressure actually felt really great.

I wouldn’t knock this spa just on my experience, though. Another friend who came with me had a typical massage and almost fell asleep.When we were finished, she stretched and said, “Ah! Such a great way to end the work day.” Therefore, if Chinese medicine is or isn’t your thing, you’ll find that this spa is a nice option.

The price was free for me, but the price range of services is from RMB 300 to 900 with varying limits from one hour to two hours. This spa lets you buy in bulk, making the price average very affordable. They have several other services available, from bladder and kidney massage techniques to breast care to a full beauty treatment. The bonus is that one of the attendants here speaks English and German, so you can make your reservations in advance.

百会能量养生SPA会所
Everyday, 10am-10pm. Room 2001, block A, Yuanyang Shinkansen. 远洋新干线A座2001室. (13522495152)

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars. The prices are reasonable, especially in bulk. The location is convenient for those in the city, and the place is very clean. I suppose I’m a bit more strict than their other customers because they’ve got a 5 out of 5 rating on dianping (which you should check out for their deals).

Photos: Vanessa Jencks

More stories by this author here.
Email: vanessajencks@truerun.com
Twitter: @vanessa_jencks
WeChat: vanessajencks

What better way to kick the dry Beijing winter than to give your skin, especially your face, a little bit of extra love? That’s exactly the aim of the game at Hummingbird Skincare Center’s newest Central Park location, part of The Wellness Spa by Hummingbird, and one of our favorite spas in town.

We went to check out their new location, which was clean, tidy, and is made up of several private rooms at the back where the treatments take place. The reception area has plenty of example products laid out, which the staff are happy to demonstrate and explain if you’re unsure as to which is most suitable for your skin type or needs.

I tried an aqua peel oxygenating purifying treatment, a 50-minute session (at an original price of RMB 880) involving cleaning and moisturization of your face. The treatment was performed delicately, and the refreshing effects more than noticeable for the days following, my skin now markedly more bouncy and less dry. There is also a short face massage included to increase your blood circulation and send you on your merry way.

I can hear you worrying about your wallet, but they do have a fairly good deal on right now: try it for only RMB 198 on your first visit to their new location – go on, treat yo’self!

Hummingbird Skin Care Center
Daily 10am-10pm. 102, Central Park, Bldg 17, 6 Chaowai Dajie, Chaoyang District (6597 0457)
朝阳区朝外大街6号新城国际17号楼102

More stories by this author here.

Email: margauxschreurs@truerun.com
Instagram: s.xuagram

Images courtesy of Hummingbird Skin Care Center

This post originally appeared on our sister-site, thebeijinger.