HOME > CENTRAL TAIWAN > TAICHUNG > ARTICLES >

COMPASS MAGAZINE, November 2001. VOL. 8 ISSUE 11

PAMPERING YOURSELF INSIDE AND OUT: Getting Healthy At Taichung's Many Spas

By Chen Ni-ang Translated by Cheryl Robbins

The word 'spa' comes from the Latin phrase,'Solus Par Aqua', which means "healing by water". Spa also originates from Spau, a small town in the southern part of Belgium, famous in the 16th century for its natural, healing hot springs. Today, spas are making a comeback, providing water therapy facilities. Water therapy does not only include changing from hot water to cold water and back again, but also sitting under a column of water or next to a jet stream and other forms of water massage. Modern spas have evolved to also include steam rooms, body massage and aromatherapy. There are even spas focused on improving internal or emotional health.

Today, Taichung is exploding with spa options. Below, is a small but diverse sampling of places to indulge yourself, all in the name of health and beauty. With so many types of spas, it might be more interesting to start a spa tour with non-traditional spas. In addition to the more commonly-known "external spas" (noted below), there is also a growing number of 'external spas' meant to detoxify the body. One good example is Spa Chyuan Min, also known as I-ACT Colonics Spa (1F, 78-6, Ta Ya Rd.; tel. 2205-8655, 2208-2032). This spa specializes in colonics, or the cleaning of the colon using water. Colonics is used to rid the colon of built-up waste, serving to cleanse and detoxify the body as well as increase metabolism. The environment of this spa is clean and quiet. Each guest is given his/her own room for complete privacy. The colonics procedure takes about one hour and should be done on an empty stomach. After completing the procedure, guests relax in a traditional spa. Reservations are required. The cost for each colonics session is NT$5,000. Receive a discount price of NT$800 with a coupon (see coupons page in the back of the magazine).

One spa focused on both body and mind is the Cristal Day Spa (1F, 58-11, Chung Tai East Rd.; tel.2206-8001). With its large picture windows and simple but elegant interior design, it is a luxurious urban retreat. Cristal Day Spa promotes touch therapy, using gentle massage to increase positive energy. Cristal's massage therapists prepare essential oils for each guest according to individual circumstances and taking into account body, mind and beauty. This spa offers a total of 122 courses or programs costing from NT$800 for 30 minutes to NT$5,000 for 180 minutes.

Another high-end spa is the Pure Land Day Spa, located in a private villa (389, Kung Yi Rd., sec. 2; tel: 2259-5199). This spa possesses a unique personality, natural comfort and a clear devotion to quality and service. A visit provides a release from the pressures of the world, as professionally-trained massage therapists provide gentle massage to invigorate and energize, bringing guests in touch with themselves. A full spa package normally costs NT$4,000, but discounts are available. There are separate spa areas for men and women.

One other rather unconventional spa treatment can be found at the Grand Formosa Taichung Hotel's 15th-floor Oriental Fitness & Spa (1049, Chien Hsing Rd.; tel. 2328-8000, ext. 6727, 6728). Here, on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., one can try traditional Chinese Sword Healing, administered by Master Chen Jin Tang. Not as painful as it may sound, this ancient practice uses electricity, heat and pressure for physical therapy, awakening self-healing functions in the body. Those who have tried it swear that it cures a wide range of ailments, from standard aches and pains to more serious problems. The cost for a 40 to 50-minute session is NT$1,500 for members and NT$1,800 for non-members. The high-end fitness and spa facility also offers flat acupuncture treatment, body release treatment, various massages, sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and hot and cold plunge pools for men and women.

There are plenty of more traditional "external spas", focused on improving skin tone and providing muscle massage or various forms of water massage. Most of the cityÔîÐ<·îÈ

One of the newer additions to the spa market is the Tian-Chyr Chinese Medicine Spa (440, Ta Tun 7th St.; tel: 2385-3288). Most spas do not allow children but Tian-Chyr is an exception, with private rooms that are perfect for families. Each room has steam bath and shower facilities, as well as an herbal pool and an area for massage via water columns. The membership fee is a very reasonable NT$800 per year. Several kinds of herbal baths are available for an extra charge (NT$170 to NT$250). There is also a restaurant serving herbal dishes, a gym, a skin care center and a reflexology center.

If you prefer expansive spa facilities over cozy private rooms, then the Tung Shan Amusement Park Spa and Garden World (151-2, Tung Shan Rd., sec. 2; tel. 2239-1435, 2239-3220) is worth a visit. Try out the various herbal pools, ultrasonic pool, water therapy pool, herbal baths and salt baths. For those who only want to use the spa and not visit the amusement park area, the cost is NT$300. After 5 p.m., the cost is NT$250. Children under 140 cm in height are not allowed to enter the spa. There are also private wooden cottages with spa facilities costing NT$2,000 for two hours. Those entering before 8:30 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday receive a free Chinese-style breakfast.

For an authentic outdoor spa experience, head to popular mountain hot springs town of Kukuan in Taichung County and the E-Daw Hot Spring (5, Fen Hsiao Lane, Kukuan, Ho Ping Hsiang [Township], Taichung County; tel. 2595-0315). E-Daw is located half-way up Kukuan Mountain and the beautiful green hillsides increase the feeling of relaxation at the pools. While Kukuan is famous for its many hot springs, E-Daw's unique Japanese-style facilities set it apart from the rest. There are large hot and cold spring water pools, and a waterfall area with a children's pool. Guests can also enjoy the massage-like effects of standing under a water column in bamboo-paneled partitioned stalls. Admission is NT$200 per person. There are also private rooms available for NT$300 per person.

Alexander Health Club (B1, La Cite Fashion Outlet Center, 87, Szu Chuan Rd.; tel. 2314-9008) has already earned an excellent reputation for its comprehensive gym facilities. In addition, it has recently added several new spa features including steam booths, healthy spa cuisine, and foot baths and massage, complemented with high quality essential oils. Alexander's indoor pool also has hydrotherapy facilities including water columns and whirlpools. One may also try the virtual reality booths or aromatherapy rooms where various essences are used for relaxation and lifting of the spirits. The spa is normally only open to members but, at various times throughout the year, Alexander holds an open house for non-members. Also within the La Cite complex, on the ground floor upstairs from Alexander, is the cozy Pure Plant Palace Day Spa and Salon (79-6, Szuchuan Rd.; tel. 2313-0188). On the ground floor is a variety of Clayo health, beauty and spa products from America and the three floors above contain Touch American spa facilities. However, even more unique is the spa's offering of Tibetan-medicine treatments, including the Tibeart Facial Treatment and exotic-sounding Yarlung Zangbo Treatment. Next door to the spa is another similarly-sized business, The Natural Shop and N.P.U.K. (Natural Products U.K.) Day Spa (79-7, Szuchuan Rd.; tel. 2312-7873). A quaint-looking shop on the ground floor, resembling an English cottage, sells N.P.U.K. products from beauty/spa items to herbal teas, while spa facilities are upstairs. Beyond a doubt, spas are more than a passing fad in Taiwan, as island residents have more time and inclination to enjoy healthy pursuits. Whether one enjoys a traditional water massage much like Europeans did centuries ago or would rather try Chinese sword healing, there's no better place than Taichung to spa-hop to your heart's delight.