Shanghai is known as a city that never sleeps with an eclectic underground music scene, gluttonous street food, and lively cocktail bar lineup – but there is also an active wellness community emerging from the debauchery.
Forget clubbing – Shanghai youth are now trading booze for balance, raves for reiki, and spirits for self-care, all in the name of health and wellness. And with a deep-rooted heritage in holistic health and well-being – from Traditional Chinese Medicine to yoga, tai chi, and meditation – it seems all the more natural that Shanghai locals and expats alike are making mental and physical health a priority.
Whether you’re after a wellness workshop, workout or some healthy eats, here are some of Shanghai’s top wellness spots to get your woo-woo on:
See also: Shanghai’s Best Bars
For the Mind
ŌRA Wellness Collective
Founded by Marseille native Julie Brument, ŌRA Wellness Collective focuses on stress management through something as simple as breathing. Their breathwork workshops and wellness products such as gratitude journals help anyone cultivate emotional awareness and resilience, so check them out @orawellnesscollective on Instagram.
SŌL Healing Sanctuary
Curated by Chiara Ye, SŌL Healing Sanctuary is a holistic wellness studio located in Xintiandi that offers intimate courses in reiki, sound healing, and more, along with free sharing circles every Monday. Need more? SŌL also provides a free online WeChat healing community and products that carry the same healing energy. Get in touch with Chiara via email.
Silver Root Apothecary
Located in the French Concession neighbourhood, Silver Root Apothecary merges East and West in food therapy where founder (ex-New York native) Zoey Xinyi Gong now offers cooking classes, nutrition consultations, TCM treatments, curated products, and classes. Learn more at silverrootapothecary.org.
Cliff Von Edge Spiritual Connection Classes
Take the edge off with Cliff Von Edge, a versatile spiritual teacher offering classes in rainbow light reiki, alchemy sound healing, and tarot reading. With classes available in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, both in-person and online, he’s sure to help you find your way back to your ‘divine essence’ (whatever that may be). Find Cliff on Instagram @cliffvonedgeart.
For the Body
Megaformer Lab
Hailing from Hollywood, Megaformer offers a high-intensity, low-impact workout that targets all muscle groups using a specialised Lagree machine. Get ready to shake and sweat in this 45-minute session that combines cardio, strength, and flexibility. Learn more at themegaformerlab.com.
UP Clinic
Dealing with some aches and pains? UP Clinic specialises in muscle, bone, and joint injuries with a focus on non-surgical pain management. Through a range of therapies including massage and acupuncture and multiple locations, they can help you recover pain-free. Learn more at upclinic.cn/en.
For the Tummy
Cosmic Rye Bread
If you’re missing some good sourdough for your daily avo, Jamie Pea’s Cosmic Rye Bread has you covered with their slow-fermented wholegrain sourdough loaves – no sugar spikes here. To place an order from the talented chef, message @jamie.pea.recipe on Instagram.
Cher’s Healthy Treats
Had one too many XLBs (aka. xiao long baos)? Cher’s Healthy Treats will balance you out with their all-natural snacks made from dates, nuts, and superfoods, all of which are free from refined sugars. The plant-based energy snacks come in various flavours and are perfect as gifts or on-the-go. Find them on Instagram @cherchanglin.
Looking for more insider tips? Pick up a copy of the LUXE Shanghai guide:
