What is wellness for you? Five Destinations And Their Wellness Stories

For me, wellness is about being in a certain state of body and mind where I feel relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated enough to take on my daily endeavours. However, my vision of wellness is not limited to modern-day spas or retreats; it expands to the horizons of unique traditional and cultural practices used since ancient times. For instance, some would feel that sand on the skin isn’t soothing on the soul, but locals from the urban oasis of Siwa have a different take on wellness. 

Siwa isn't the only place where you can experience unique traditional wellness techniques; our endeavours across the globe have led us to experience some of the most unique wellness journeys for you to add to your bucket list.

Rishikesh, India

Rishikesh has long been known as the Yoga Capital of the World, drawing seekers to its serene banks along the River Ganges. Legends and local scriptures link this Himalayan town to sages who meditated in hidden caves and forests centuries ago. As yoga spread globally, Rishikesh became a hub for ashrams and schools teaching traditional Hatha and Kundalini practices. Travellers arrive year-round for teacher training courses, daily classes and immersive retreats that promise more than just physical flexibility — they offer a chance to reconnect with one’s breath and calm a restless mind.

Alongside yoga, Rishikesh has embraced the ancient art of sound healing, a practice rooted in Indian spiritual traditions. Using gongs, Tibetan singing bowls and chanting, healers here guide visitors into deep states of relaxation. Many believe that specific vibrations help balance the body’s energy, clearing stress and promoting emotional well-being. With the quiet flow of the river and chants echoing from nearby temples, Rishikesh remains a gentle reminder that sometimes stillness, not striving, is the true path to wellness.

Hokkaido and Mt Kurama, Japan

Japan’s reputation as an Asian wellness haven is richly deserved, and nowhere captures this better than Hokkaido’s vast forests and the spiritual slopes of Mt Kurama near Kyoto. Zen meditation, or zazen, developed centuries ago in Buddhist temples across Japan, invites practitioners to sit silently, focus on their breath, and observe thoughts without attachment. Today, travellers join monks for meditation sessions in tranquil temples or hidden garden pavilions. The practice has spread worldwide, but experiencing it at its source — with crisp mountain air and a simple tea ceremony afterwards — remains unmatched.

Hokkaido and Okinawa are also celebrated for another healing ritual: forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku. Officially recognised as a wellness therapy in Japan since the 1980s, it encourages slow, mindful walks in natural woods to lower blood pressure and calm busy minds. Mt Kurama, meanwhile, holds special significance as the birthplace of Reiki, a spiritual healing method using gentle touch to guide life energy. Visitors can hike ancient cedar trails, meditate near sacred shrines and book Reiki sessions guided by local masters. Together, these practices place Japan firmly as Asia’s leading wellness destination, blending nature and tradition in a way few places can replicate.

Beijing and Suzhou, China

China’s traditional approach to wellness dates back thousands of years and remains deeply woven into daily life. In Beijing, many visit clinics for acupuncture — a practice where fine needles stimulate points along the body’s meridians to restore balance and ease ailments ranging from back pain to insomnia. Suzhou, famed for its elegant gardens and canals, offers a gentler pace, where visitors combine acupuncture with moxibustion. This warming therapy burns dried mugwort close to the skin to boost circulation and strengthen the body’s defences, especially during damp or cold seasons.

Along China’s eastern seaboard, thalassotherapy — treatments using seawater and seaweed — has gained popularity as locals reconnect with coastal traditions. While not native to China, this method has found a place in high-end spa resorts near Suzhou’s scenic lakes and riverbanks, where mineral-rich marine ingredients soothe skin and help relieve joint tension. Together, acupuncture, moxibustion and these modern sea-based therapies illustrate how China blends its ancient wisdom with newer global trends, offering travellers both trusted remedies and fresh ways to rejuvenate mind and body.

Marrakech, Morocco

In Morocco, the hammam is far more than just a bath — it’s a social ritual and a deeply cleansing tradition passed down through generations. Marrakech, with its bustling souks and hidden courtyards, boasts some of the country’s most exquisite hammam spas. Here, visitors step into steamy, tiled chambers where the air is heavy with eucalyptus or rose water. Attendants scrub away layers of dead skin with black olive soap and rough mitts, then rinse the body with buckets of warm water, leaving skin soft and the mind surprisingly clear.

Historically, hammams in Marrakech served as important community spaces, where neighbours gathered weekly to cleanse, gossip and relax away from the desert heat. Today’s wellness travellers flock to both historic public baths and luxurious private hammams tucked within boutique riads. Treatments often include aromatic oils, clay masks and herbal infusions, combining ancient Berber techniques with modern comforts. For many, a hammam session in Marrakech is not just about physical cleansing but about letting go of mental burdens in an atmosphere that feels timeless and soothing.

Siwa, Egypt

Hidden deep in Egypt’s Western Desert, Siwa Oasis is one of the country’s most unique wellness spots, known for its age-old practice of sand bathing. This ancient Berber therapy sees locals and travellers alike buried up to the neck in warm desert sand for short periods, believed to draw out toxins, ease joint pain and treat rheumatic conditions. The tradition is usually done during peak summer, when the sand naturally reaches optimal heat levels under the fierce sun, turning the dunes into a natural treatment centre.

Siwa itself is a remote, palm-dotted settlement famous for its salt lakes, fresh springs and centuries-old mud-brick forts. Visitors come not only for the sand baths but also to experience a slower pace of life far removed from Cairo’s crowds. After a session in the dunes, guests often soak in cool springs or indulge in local dates and herbal teas to complete the healing ritual. For those seeking a wellness escape that feels truly off the beaten path, Siwa offers a rare blend of desert silence, ancient wisdom and nature’s own warmth.

Across continents and centuries, these destinations show that true wellness does not come from the latest gadget or trend. It grows from old wisdom, local nature and simple rituals that invite us to slow down, listen and heal. As wellness tourism continues to rise, these places remind travellers that sometimes the oldest ways still offer the most lasting peace.