Those who have watched Journey to the West or The Legend of the White Snake surely remember the alms bowls carried by Tang Monk and Fa Hai.

The bowl is both a container for food and a ritual tool — in myths, a magic weapon used by enlightened monks to subdue demons.

Today, the singing bowl has transformed into a new wellness obsession for urban white-collar workers. Its unique shape produces a deep, lingering "hum." Studies show that the vibrational frequency of this sound easily resonates with the human body, triggering theta and delta brain waves that promote a "trance-like" relaxation and faster entry into a restful state.

In first- and second-tier cities where "night owls" and sub-health groups are common, this has become a necessity for mental relaxation. The China Sleep Research Report 2023 by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences shows that up to 38.2% of Chinese suffer from insomnia. First-tier cities have the worst sleep quality, averaging only 7 hours per night, with an average of 4.7 sleepless nights per month — the highest among all city tiers.

Nearly 70% of respondents said their insomnia stems from overwhelming pressure and the rat race.

For those chronically suffering from insomnia and anxiety, the idea of improving sleep through sound and olfactory stimuli — without medication — feels like a blessing.

Thus, singing bowls, aromatherapy, and meditation have grown in popularity. According to Meituan data, searches for "healing" surged 256% this year, while searches for "singing bowl healing" jumped 423%.

Of course, new trends always attract skepticism. When searching for healing services on various platforms, the recommended related searches often include "Is X a scam?" — indicating that many remain half-doubtful about the quasi-mystical aspects of healing.

Nonetheless, this niche way of balancing body and mind is expanding quickly. Even established sectors such as yoga studios, SPA salons, and beauty clinics are gradually introducing healing as a signature offering. A trillion‑dollar market is quietly emerging.

Young People Longing for "Soul Massage"

Healing is increasingly taking the top spot in the wellness gatherings of young people.

Once-popular social trends like tea brewing over charcoal embers, scripture copying, and yoga are no longer enough to earn "likes"; they are being replaced by more immersive modalities such as singing bowls, aromatherapy, and meditation.

These young people may face career bottlenecks, performance pressure, emotional challenges like heartbreak, or family tensions — all of which create a pressing need for "soul massage."

On Meituan in Shanghai, searching for "aromatherapy," "singing bowl," or "meditation" returns 199, 75, and 113 results on the map screen. Among them are boutiques dedicated to these practices, as well as yoga studios, SPA centers, and psychological counseling rooms that use these services to help clients unwind.

Unlike yoga or group fitness, which rely on exercise to release dopamine and boost energy, singing bowls and aromatherapy rely on auditory and olfactory "magic healing" to induce deep relaxation.

For many first-timers, the singing bowl feels like a remedy for insomnia. Among the 100+ reviews for the "WuChen Singing Bowl Healing & Meditation Space" in Shanghai, many mention sleep: "Woke up feeling light and energized — I haven't slept this well in months" and "Lying under the starry sky dome, listening to the singing bowl and other instruments... my friend slept so soundly that we almost couldn't wake her."

For office workers living in concrete jungles, nothing feels more luxurious than falling asleep to the sounds of nature.

Ya Nan, a doctor at a Beijing hospital who helps countless patients recover but suffers from burnout herself, tried healing for the first time at Yiyan Sound Healing Space in Chaoyang District this August. The healer used singing bowls, handpans, rain sticks, wind chimes, and other instruments to simulate natural sounds, gradually guiding her body into relaxation. The tranquil environment helped Ya Nan enter deep sleep; she woke up feeling excellent.

"The sound evoked strong imagery — like walking through a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, listening to sacred chants. Within about 10 minutes, I fell asleep," Ya Nan said. "In this hectic world, it was a true release — incredibly stress-relieving."

Aromatherapy works in a complementary way, using plant fragrances to regulate physiology and emotions and restore balance. When combined with massage, it provides a dual sensory pleasure — touch and smell.

In Shenzhen, Wang Jie discovered a high-end aromatherapy spa on Meituan but hesitated because the cost was nearly 1,000 RMB per person. In mid-November, she finally tried it. The refined wood decor, sunlight filtering through wooden blinds, and the overall atmosphere gave her a strong sense of healing.

Before the session, a certified aromatherapist asked about the sources of her recent stress and custom-blended an essential oil. The aroma filled the room, creating a sense of comfort and safety — it felt like the tension dissolved instantly.

At a meditation studio near Wenzhou's government compound, the ceiling of the meditation room is hemispherical. When people sit on cushions to meditate, the lights go off, a few scented candles are lit, and a starry-sky projector turns the ceiling into a cosmic map, immersing participants in a vast, quiet universe.

The immersive lighting, scent, and sound make it easier to enter a meditative state. Many clients report significantly better sleep after just one or two sessions, leading them to return for more.

Compared with these emerging practices, other forms of healing — thermal spas, personal care, nutrition and weight loss, wellness travel, and personalized medicine — are more common. The Global Wellness Institute's Global Wellness Economy: Beyond COVID report estimates that the global healing market was worth US$5.6 trillion in 2022, with an expected growth rate of 8.6%, reaching US$8.47 trillion by 2027.

Rapid work pressure and a need to mentally disconnect, combined with the vast potential of the healing market, make this an obvious trend. With strong supply and demand, the healing economy is spreading like wildfire.

Is Healing a Good Business?

"My initial intention wasn’t to start a business. Most aromatherapists get into it because they've been personally healed — their pain points resolved, their lifestyles improved — and they want to share that goodness," said Shen Shen, an aromatherapist at a dōTERRA精油 wellness studio in Wenzhou.

Before discovering aromatherapy, Shen Shen was a classic case of sub‑health: frail since childhood, work stress led to recurring health issues, mood problems, and insomnia. At first, the idea that inhaling scents could improve her condition seemed beyond belief.

She first tried aromatherapy for rhinitis. Though essential oils are not a substitute for medication, their pure plant-based compounds have unique active properties that help balance body and mind.

Unlike conventional medical treatments, "preventive" healing focuses on releasing stress and negative emotions. Its distinct effects, coupled with curiosity, have made it popular. According to the Global Wellness Institute, China's healing market was worth approximately 299.6 billion RMB in 2022.

Observers note that the main participants in healing consumption are predominantly post‑85s and post‑90s — younger generations who are willing to spend money to alleviate emotional stress. For example, those most interested in singing bowls are aged 20–35, accounting for more than 75% of the audience.

From Shen Shen's perspective, the people most attracted to aromatherapy are mothers aged 30–50. They have a certain level of financial stability and shoulder responsibilities for both aging parents and children, making them more likely to appreciate the value of aromatherapy.

As the backbone of Chinese consumption is willing to pay for health, healing‑focused stores are becoming a promising business. +- Singing Bowl Healing & Meditation Center has three locations in Shanghai and is a leading local brand, offering sound healing and mindfulness courses. Its best‑selling course is an 185.9 RMB singing bowl meditation session — not far from the price of a conventional massage or SPA, serving primarily to attract new customers and drive foot traffic.

For deeper immersion, clients can enroll in more expensive programs: a two‑day natural sound workshop for 2,972 RMB, a corporate custom salon for 872 RMB, or a one‑on‑one singing bowl private session for 1,272 RMB. These prices are significantly higher than typical massage or foot massage services, giving healers and studios higher revenue than yoga or reflexology.

Besides increasing revenue, many healing centers favor simple, natural décor, reducing renovation costs and lowering the barrier to entry. On Meituan, most healing studios feature Japanese or wood‑style interiors, few large professional devices, and relatively small footprints — lower investment compared with yoga studios or foot massage centers. Industry insiders say that with good operation, new stores have a good chance of recouping their investment within six months.

The head of the +- Singing Bowl Healing & Meditation Center noted that the industry is still in a bonus period, but competition is expected to intensify next year. Many healing practices have been carved out of the yoga segment — similar to how yoga once separated from gyms, though yoga leans more toward physical healing.

As the market heats up, adjacent businesses will inevitably enter the space. Therefore, it's crucial to gain a first-mover advantage, capture consumer mindshare, and build a defensible brand before the eventual industry shakeout.

Is a New Wave of Local Consumption Coming?

The healing economy is rapidly spreading from first‑tier cities to second‑ and third‑tier markets.

On Meituan, from Taizhou in Zhejiang to Dali in Yunnan, and from Urumqi in Xinjiang to Harbin in Heilongjiang, searching for "meditation" or "singing bowl" brings up many distinctive healing stores. The healing economy has the potential to become the next growth engine for local consumption.

Many assume that cities like Urumqi and Dali, thousands of kilometers from Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, would experience a time lag in adopting new trends. But on Meituan, there are at least four studios offering singing bowl services in downtown Urumqi, and more than 12 aromatherapy stores in tourism hotspot Dali. Digital platforms are leveling the differences between cities.

The flourishing of the healing economy reflects a match between supply and demand. Take singing bowls: a map view of Shanghai shows more than 30 studios evenly distributed across central districts, roughly three to five kilometers apart — as if by tacit agreement. With the rise of online services, delivery‑focused "to‑home" businesses increasingly rely on fulfillment, while "to‑store" services rooted in physical space are hard to replace.

Since the healing market has no well‑known national brands and most locations serve nearby residents, healing studios need LBS (location‑based services) to reach potential customers.

A user might open Meituan to look at nearby "foot massage," "beauty SPA," or "yoga/Pilates" deals, but accidentally stumble upon a healing offering. With the help of prices, reviews, photos, and package descriptions, the decision can be made quickly. Compared with other customer acquisition channels, Meituan and Dianping are particularly effective at building a loyal customer base and driving repeat visits — essential for new stores.

Overall supply in the healing sector remains modest, but strong growth is attracting more beauty salons and SPA centers to add healing services. On Meituan, most aromatherapy stores combine massage or SPA treatments, using both touch and scent to relieve stress.

For urban workers, insomnia and anxiety are increasingly common sub‑health conditions. Investing time in healing — preventing these issues from escalating into disease — is becoming a popular choice.

In this sense, the rise of service‑based consumption not only provides fertile ground for healing but also allows consumers to enjoy a higher quality of life, contributing to the vitality of city economies.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics shows that in the first three quarters of this year, total retail sales of consumer goods grew 6.8% year‑on‑year, while service retail sales rose 18.9%. Services now account for 46.1% of per capita consumer spending. Service consumption has become a key driver of consumption growth, structural upgrading, and economic expansion.

Nevertheless, the healing industry is still in its infancy, and quality varies. Some "quick‑fix" healers are certified after just a few days of training. In reality, effective healing requires depth — often one‑on‑one or small‑group sessions, sensing each person's energy to provide customized formulas.

"Some clients carry very heavy negative energy or are very stubborn; even the same essential oil can smell different to them," Shen Shen explained. "It's all about the vibrational field — it really tests the healer's skill."

Some bloggers capitalize on traffic and even manufacture anxiety to attract students and orders, but the anti‑anxiety nature of healing contradicts that approach. Rapid commodification could accelerate growth but also ruin the industry’s reputation. For such a niche, emerging market, serving each customer well offline and letting word of mouth spread naturally may be the only path to sustainable development.

(The names Ya Nan, Wang Jie, and Shen Shen are pseudonyms at the request of the interviewees.)