The Origins of Bathing in Ancient China
Bathing has long been considered a pleasurable and essential activity, particularly during harsh winters when warmth and relaxation were highly valued. Historical records reveal that even in ancient times, people cherished the act of cleansing the body. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), government officials were granted a special bathing holiday called xiu mu (休沐), which allowed them to wash their hair and bathe every five days.
The earliest evidence of bathing practices comes from oracle bone inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BCE). The character for “bath” (浴) depicts a person standing in a large basin with water droplets, indicating that private bathing was the norm. Unlike modern public bathhouses, early Chinese bathing was a solitary activity conducted at home, often with the assistance of servants for the elite.
Archaeological discoveries, such as the Western Han Dynasty tomb of Liu Xu, the King of Guangling in Yangzhou, provide fascinating insights into early bathing facilities. His private bathroom contained bronze basins, scrubbing stones, wooden clogs, and even a stool for bathing—an impressive setup that underscores the importance of hygiene and comfort in aristocratic life.
The Rise of Public Bathhouses in Imperial China
While private bathing dominated early periods, the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) marked a turning point with the emergence of communal bathing. The most famous example is the Huaqing Pool (华清池), a luxurious hot spring bathhouse used by Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved consort Yang Guifei, immortalized in Bai Juyi’s Song of Everlasting Sorrow.
By the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), public bathhouses flourished alongside urbanization and the growth of a prosperous merchant class. Marco Polo noted that during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE), people would not eat breakfast without bathing first—highlighting how ingrained the practice had become in daily life.
### The Golden Age of Yangzhou’s Bathing Culture
Yangzhou, a bustling trade hub at the intersection of the Grand Canal and the Yangtze River, became synonymous with refined bathing culture. The city’s bathhouses, known as hun tang (混堂), were so renowned that even today, many high-end spas in northeastern China claim to employ “Yangzhou-style” attendants.
A local saying captures the city’s bathing obsession: “Morning is for ‘water wrapped in skin’ (tea), evening is for ‘skin wrapped in water’ (bathing).” These bathhouses were social hubs where merchants, travelers, and locals relaxed after long journeys.
Bathing Rituals and Social Customs
Ancient bathhouses were more than just places to wash—they were centers of leisure and wellness. Patrons followed a careful routine: drinking hot broth to prevent dizziness, resting before entering the pool, and enjoying additional services like haircuts, foot care, and massages.
### The Art of Scrub Bathing (Kai Bei)
Scrubbing, or kai bei (揩背), was a revered service. Even the famous Song poet Su Dongpo celebrated it in his whimsical Dreamlike Song, humorously instructing the attendant to scrub gently since he was “naturally free of grime”—a metaphor for his political innocence.
Historical price records from the Song Dynasty show that a basic bath cost around 10 wen (equivalent to 10 modern yuan), while a full-service experience with scrubbing and grooming could reach hundreds.
Legacy and Modern Parallels
China’s bathing traditions have left enduring marks. The Japanese adoption of the character 湯 (hot water) for bathhouses traces back to Chinese influence. Meanwhile, Yangzhou’s legacy lives on in today’s luxury spas, where the rituals of relaxation remain strikingly similar.
From royal hot springs to bustling urban bathhouses, bathing culture reflects broader societal shifts—privacy to community, necessity to luxury, and hygiene to hedonism. As we unwind in modern spas, we partake in a tradition millennia in the making.