Communal bathing is not a common Western practice but once a newcomer faces the bare facts about a Chinese bath-house he or she will be in for a super treat.

The most challenging issue for many Beijing bath-house newbies may be the compulsory nudity required. But and I say but with no pun intended if you've seen one naked body, you've seen them all.

Relaxing in a giant hot tub and letting the cares of a busy day soak away is as good as it gets. After a long, hot soak, the skin is soft and body ready to be rubbed.

Full body massages can knead out those knotted shoulder muscles and foot massages can really hit the spot.

Afterwards, you might want to sip tea, or enjoy steamed pork dumplings and chicken soup at a five-star, hotel-style buffet.

Fancy a haircut or pedicure at the beauty salon? Or maybe you need to go online at the Internet bar.

After all this activity, you might need a nap on an extendable leather armchair in the sleeping room.

This is a typical visit at the Eight Spring Business Club. I stumbled upon this unique Beijing bath-house six months ago, after visiting the popular expat precinct, west of Chaoyang Park. The strip features Jenny Lu's grocery store, Annie's restaurant and two very popular bars, Suzie Wong's and the Goose and Duck. However another popular watering hole awaits nearby for the adventurous Beijing foreigner.

Although it's 100m off the road, the search-lights that beam from this monolithic building make it impossible to miss. However, be prepared to mix with the locals. On my six visits, I have not seen one foreigner. The meet-and-greet people at the reception do not speak English, so on my first visit, there was a lot of hand signaling.

Today I know the drill, I now stroll in just like a local. Upon entering the foyer, guests are led into a sitting room where shoes are replaced with slippers. There are no upfront fees, the bill is settled when leaving and will vary from 100 yuan to 1,000 yuan, depending on how much you pamper yourself.

There are separate areas for men and women, and I have been told the women's section is equally as good as the men's. A visitor is shown a locker, where all clothes are stored and a numbered wristband is allocated. You are also handed a towel. Now is the time to get naked.

The first sight of the huge bathing area is spectacular for a newcomer. There is a tropical feel to the main area, which is more like a resort swimming pool complex. The roof is three stories high, and sparkling stars are stuck on to the ceiling. Huge palm trees are scattered around the 60m by 30m area and the cement rendered walls are shaped to create a rock face. A trickle of water runs down one section of the wall, acting as a water-fall and the lighting is low, enhancing the effect of the twinkling ceiling star lights. Unless you live in Las Vegas, you're unlikely to have anything like this in your hometown.

Before hitting the hot tubs, in the same tradition of Korean and Japanese bath-houses, bathers shower thoroughly. Hot baths are for soaking, not for washing. There are at least five baths. The main semi-circular hot pool features television sets incorporated into the cement rendered walls. The locals seem to enjoy the CCTV contest shows, however most of the patrons chat among themselves and ignore the loud volume TVs.

An arched foot-bridge crosses over a pool into another area, where a bamboo swinging chair and tables and chairs are spread throughout the complex. A smaller pool has one of the most unusual bathing aids I have ever seen live fish. The small fish swarm around the bather nibbling at the skin. I am told the tiny black fish eat the dead skin. This extra bathing treat costs about 50 yuan.

Another hot pool is fitted with special jet sprays located at strategic positions. The bather sits in a plastic deck chair in the pool and swipes a red light activated switch, which fires up the jets. Bubbles blast away, massaging the receiver. In this big hot tub sits a marble bench top, which has overhanging shower nozzles. They emit a powerful spray of hot water on the back of the bather.

There is a cold pool, and also a very, very hot pool, heated to 45 C. Tables and chairs are scattered throughout and patrons can enjoy tea, which starts at 30 yuan a pot. The menu is only in Chinese, so remember to say cha (tea).

There are two saunas, a steam-like chamber in the shape of a huge beehive, and a dry sauna, which features wooden seats and a large glass window that looks out at the pool area. Body scrubs are available in the bathing area and a good soak, scrub and relax can take a few hours. It costs about 100 yuan for bath-house admission and there is no time limit, however after two hours you're fingers shrivel into prunes. It's advisable to limit soaking to 20 minutes at a time. Lay back on a swinging chair, cool down, and then jump back in the pool again.

Massages are the next item on the to-do list. A variety of massages are available, depending on your wants and your budget. They vary from 100 to 600 yuan. After leaving the bathing area, you slip into pyjamas and stroll to the massage areas. The massage rooms are on different floors of this six-story complex.

Feeling peckish? The buffet room, which is like any in a swish hotel, offers a wide selection of self-serve food, and drink.

(China Daily 01/11/2007 page5)