For many elderly citizens in Beijing, taking a bath with several good friends in a public bathhouse, enjoying traditional rubdown, chatting and enjoying tea together probably are the most enjoyable or even indispensable things in their daily lives.
Recently, the century-old Xinyuan Bathhouse, a traditional bathhouse in Beijing, announced plans to completely shut on September 20 because the rising costs of water, electricity and gas have sent their operating expenses through the roof. The manager of the bathhouse says it will be converted to a small inn.
Located on the Yandaixiejie Street of Xicheng District in Beijing, the Xinyuan Bathhouse is one of the oldest in Beijing. It was founded in Guangxu Years of the Qing Dynasty (1875-1909).
The initial founder of this bathhouse was Li Fuqing, the foster son of renowned eunuch in Qing Dynasty Li Lianying. The bathhouse gained popularity at that time as lots of significant politicians and merchants flocked to bathe there. The bathhouse was under new ownership after Li Fuqing's death in 1928. In 1959 it became a joint state-private endeavor, which it remained to the present day.
Many residents living around the bathhouse said that it had become an essential part of their daily routines.
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