the complete dagu lu shanghai massage guide

7/24/2019 The complete Dagu Lu Shanghai massage guide

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The complete Dagu Lu Shanghai massage guide

One of the biggest issues locals and visitors in Shanghai face is where to get a massage.

With so many options dotting the city, do you choose the blind massage? Maybe your simple local

rub down or aluxe detox? Hard choices.

The main drag of Dagu Lu has just about any Shanghai massage you could want. The western side of

the two-block long street boasts almost a dozen massage places, making it one of the most massage-

dense areas of the city.

Heres the lowdown of which places to hit.

Taipan Massage

By all accounts Tiapan is a Dagu Lu anchor. This branch of the China-wide chain pioneered the

beloved formula of massage, TV and camaraderie.

Its the citys best hangover diversion: enlist a friend, grab a DVD from the savvy businessmen who

operate the wagon in the middle of the block, then settle in for Taipans signature 90-minute foot and

shoulder rub in front of the LCD.

Relative cost: Moderate

Perk we love: The menu of tea, fruit juice and beef noodles -- all free.

Go for: The 90-minute all-you-can-eat and foot and shoulder massage (RMB 138). But be sure to

book ahead. Walk-ins almost never make it past the door.

Taipan, 370 Dagu Lu, near Chengdu Bei Lu 370, , +86 21 6340 0366



Congen [Kangjun] Massage

Like a cheap motel without the kitsch, Congen has broom-closet rooms, a brown-on-brown color

scheme and a 45-minute hour.

That said, staff are organized, friendly and sensitive -- practitioners (who comes in two skill levels,

three and five stars) dwell on the tight spots and respond well to your incomprehensible grunting.

That thumb in your armpit? Feels better than it sounds.

Relative cost: Cheap to moderate

Perk we love: Congens saving grace (other than quite skilled masseuses) is the classic-rock Muzak

over the sound system. Particularly soothing: the pan-flute rendition of Foreigners I Want to Know

What Love Is."

Go for: The Royal Treatment (RMB 278), a 90-minute oil massage that covers head, feet and

everything in between -- though some swear the hour-long ear massage (RMB 146) will cure all that

ails you.

Congen, 436 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu 436, , +86 21 6340 1161

Damo Reflexology



Does anyone really go to Dagu Lu for Dragonfly? The nationwide operation seems a bit aspirational

for this no-frills stretch of concrete, more suited to its Xinle Lu location, perhaps.

The good news is that Jing'an Dragonfly keeps it real. Prices were reasonable for our first-rate

aroma oil massage (RMB 252 for an hour), which was served with a smile and a cup oftea. Though is

it too much to ask for a lounger on which to enjoy it?

Therapists even attend to your tummy -- theres no better alternative to a spoonful of Metamucil.

Relative cost: Moderate to expensive

Perk we love: The hot-cloth wipe-down at the end.

Go for: The 120-minute Give It to Me One More Time massage (RMB 530), which includes an hour-

long aromatherapy massage, plus an hour of foot, head or shoulder massage -- by four hands no less.

Dragonfly, 458 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu 458, , +86 21 6327 1193, www.dragonfly.net.cn

Peony Aroma

Customers get just the right balance of boudoir chic, friendly service and expert care at Peony, a

multi-level parlor near trendy Italian restaurant Nolita.

Hands are attentive and discerning, covering all the tender spots -- even our troubled elbows, which

had never seen such love. Much the same could be said of our pectoral region. Our craving for a

cigarette post-massagewas no surprise.

Relative cost: Moderate

Perk we love: Anyone who spends 10 minutes ministering to our head and scalp without our constant

hounding gets our vote.

Go for: Peonys raison detre: aromatherapy. The Vitality Aromatherapy massage (RMB 240) fills an

hour with slick, Swedish-style kneading.

Peony Aroma, 426 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu 426, , +86 21 5666 1776, +86 216340 0951



Sunny Massage

Were we the only fools to have ascended Sunnys steps that fateful evening? The rooms were frosty,

employees were barking down their phones in the corridor (then clearing their throats) and the guyperforming our Aroma Oil Massage (RMB 218) was outside with his buddies having a smoke before

we could pull up our pants.

A hot-towel rubdown that should have brought goodwill just made us colder.

Relative cost: Cheap

Perk we love: Ten minutes with our feet in a warm bath upon arrival was a nice, although a common,

touch. Considering the state of our feet as we sat down, we're unsure who benefited most from the

soak.

Go for: If you must, keep it short with one of the 60-minute oil massages, from RMB 218.

Sunny Massage, 500 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu 500, , + 86 216340 0636

Fino

What do you do about the prudish client who insists on wearing her underpants? Why, pull them



down, of course. But thats OK, Fino. We forgive you. Masseuse Tony, too, despite what some might

call his unhealthy obsession with our bottom.

Tony was all thumbs, in the nicest way possible, a Swede in Shanghai pajamas. The drab Motel 168

interior at Fino was a ruse-- this was the best RMB 198 we ever spent.

Relative cost: Cheap to Moderate

Perk we love: The deft abdominal massage and the rubber mallets they pull out to massage the pads

of your feet at the end of a foot massage.

Go for: The RMB 198 Health Meridian massage, or any of the acupressure massages (from RMB

138).

Fino, 486 Dagu Lu, near Shimen Yi Lu 486, , +86 21 6359 1155, +86 21139 1786 0903 (Japanese)

the complete dagu lu shanghai massage guide

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