Upon entering the new Qin The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, guests are transported to an enclave of high design that melds ancient Chinese mythology and astrology with innovative spa treatments. The new spa is the first of its calibre within Shanghai – in size, scope of services and design – and has been eagerly anticipated for some time.

Qin, which is pronounced “chin” and means “to affect deeply,” is an enclave of retreat from bustling Shanghai city life. Guests are first greeted by a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling lacquered door of aged elm wood, reminiscent of the enormous imperial palace doors common in the early Chinese dynasties. Within is a quietly stylish haven of textured black granite flooring, contemporary Chinese furniture and beautiful objets d’art distinctive to the destination.

Designed by Hirsch Bedner Associates, Qin The Spa occupies a sprawling 762-square-metre (8,200-square-foot) space that includes eight treatment rooms, a private manicure and pedicure room, a reserved consultation space for acupuncture and a separate domain for foot reflexology – a staple of Chinese wellness practices.

Each treatment room takes on a unique character based on the I Ching, a symbol system used to define order in an otherwise chaotic world. The I Ching is made up of eight symbols that signify the Universe’s eight defining phenomena: Sky, Earth, Thunder, Wind, Water (Moon), Fire (Sun), Mountain and Lake. The rooms are distinguished by richly ornate interiors and each represent one of these symbols, creating Ying/Yang or balance throughout the spa.

The menu and services at Qin The Spa bring rituals of long ago into modern-day living. Each treatment draws inspiration from ancient rites and healing methods based on the four celestial seasonal guardians found in traditional Chinese medicine. These include the Green Dragon Spring Rites, which incorporate a foot massage with warmed bamboo sticks, the Red Phoenix Summer Rites, the White Tiger Autumn Rites, with artistic t’ai chi and meditation, and the Black Tortoise Winter Rites. Also of note is the Imperial Dragon Massage, which uses warm poultices to prepare the muscles for a detoxifying deep tissue treatment. Over 37 treatments in total are available at the spa.

Complementing the unique treatments is a specially blended line of Qin The Spa products. Developed in Indonesia, the products are designed to pair with each of the spa’s signature therapies. The full list of products includes body scrub, face and body mist, body balm, essential oils and skin and beauty care. All are made using all-natural fruit and herbs, with no artificial colourings.