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Wu Lim Qi Gong Master
Rating Details »
- Nearest Transit:
-
Canal Street (J, M, Z, N, Q, R, W, 6)
Grand St (B, D)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 10:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Accepts Insurance:
- No
- By Appointment Only:
- No
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13 reviews for Wu Lim Qi Gong Master
Having just finished dinner in the East Village, I had walked my cousin back to near Union Square when I felt a twinge of soreness from carrying a grossly overweight backpack around Manhattan for a week. I had read about this place on Yelp last year and decided, why not? and promptly headed to Grand Street.
Upon arrival, I found this place was located down a short stairwell and I immediately hesitated. But if this place was sketch, why would it have a good Yelp rating? Using this slightly flawed logic, I descended into darkness.
There was a small waiting area in which waited a few Chinese folks, one of whom promptly walked up to me. She asked if I wanted a massage and after nodding, she escorted me inside. The actual massage room is a slightly longer room, dark to preserve the atmosphere of privacy, and a bit scary if you've never been to a tui na (massage) place. But it was safe, comfortable, and the massage was fantastic. I asked the woman in broken Mandarin if I could get an hour of mixed massage - 40 minutes of back and 20 minutes of feet, and she was happy to oblige. When I asked her to push harder, she obliged again.
At the end I paid $42 for an hour of massage plus a tip. As usual, I passed out about half way through as the darkness plus soothing music plus pain put me under.
All in all - a great experience. The next time I'm in NY, I'm coming back here! Plus they have a $28 hour long foot massage. Must do that next time...
p.s. No happy endings here. For that, go deeper into Chinatown. :-P
Having lived in Little Italy for quite some time and decided to try a massage here because people all recommended it, especially a Chinese guy named Jack. I have had pain everywhere for quite some years because I play basketball, and sometimes it prevents me from falling asleep. I went there after work and asked if there was a Jack, and luckily he was there because he only worked during Fri, Sat and Sun. I've been to China and I have to say, the masseur Jack's skill was exactly the same as those guys in China, really a massage master.
What a relief! Great skill, great guy, and great price.
$21 for 30 minutes of "WTF that is so good.. never stop." I loved my masseur. I have had a few massages in and around Chinatown and this was the best. It was so good I am going back tomorrow before I return to SF.
The Low Down:
- clinical looking dark room with many tables
- down a steep staircase
- clothed massages & I was covered you with towels
- quiet, especially considering the amount of people there
- quiet Chinese music playing in the background
First off, let me explain that I give this place 5 stars because I have no requirements for fancy spa settings or gold star service, so I can base my rating solely on the amazing price and the amazing massage.
The place itself is kind of sketchy looking, and having done my share of wandering around Chinatowns seems to have taken over what used to be one of those tucked-away asian "malls"--hallways lined with tiny shops. Each one of those tiny shops has been converted into a massage room and filled with any number of massage tables. Even though I'd made an appointment (turns out it's not necessary!) they asked me what I wanted and then shuffled me into one of those rooms that already contained another stranger (there were 4-5 beds in the room). Lights were off, light music was playing, and my masseuse got to work.
The whole time my masseuse and my boyfriend's masseuse were conversing with each other in Chinese, so it wasn't exactly peace and quiet, but I didn't mind, I was busy melting into the table. She started out a little light for my taste and I was worried I'd leave without feeling loosened up, but then she did a 2nd and 3rd pass, and by the 3rd pass she was using just enough pressure that it would have really hurt had she not known exactly when to back off and give me a break. In short, it turns out she knew exactly what she was doing, and by the end of it I was almost drooling and absolutely didn't want to get up off the table.
We paid about $30 each for about 45 minutes each, and the masseuses recommended that next time we get the 60 minute and have the last 15 minutes be a foot massage. From the 2 minute preview I got during my massage I definitely think I'll take her advice next time. They do take credit cards, but I had a really embarrassing moment when I went to tip them and realized that neither of us had much cash (you can only tip in cash). I handed them what little I had ($5) and they actually said, "do you have 5 more?" I've never had someone ask me for a larger tip, so I was a bit taken aback, but they really did deserve it. Next time I'll make sure to hit up the ATM first.
There was a moment when I thought the small asian woman beating me up would snap my neck, but she backed off just in time. I was left with a newfound appreciation of how my pizza dough must feel when I knead it into chewy splendor.
After 15 minutes of this, I was so relaxed I nearly fell off the table when I tried to sit up. It's beyond me how anyone can go for a full 60 minute massage, unless they had someone to carry them home. I'd be jellied after 30 minutes, I'm sure.
All the magic happens in a communal, dark room with faint green glow from the neon and flourescent lighting in the reception area. There are about 20 tables, a safe distance apart.
It seemed pretty clean. The tables were covered & they changed the towels around the face holes for each person.
It's all done fully clothed. The masseuse throws towels over your shirt and pants so that her hands move more easily. That's great if you're squeamish about stripping for clinical strangers and/or don't like feeling greasy from massage oil.
You can pay for the massage with cash or credit. All tips must be in cash. Tip well. These women work hard. And they're also strong enough to mug you if you try to leave a weaselly 10-15%. (People whose work requires them to touch you deserve bigger tips than people who refill your water glass.)
Wow. First time I ever cried "Uncle" (inside, quietly, of course - I will not be defeated!) during a massage.
At my masseuse's request I pointed at the 60 (or was it 61?) minute massage (they are in odd increments), the max offered, and then did some gesturing/charades combo indicating that I work at a computer and my neck and right arm/wrist were... not so good. She was incredible, both her precise skills and strength. Next time I think I won't say a word and will just let her have at me, letting my knots be her guide.
My friend received an equally stellar massage from a different woman, and we were both quite sore the next day (a first for me).
For the price and quality, hands down the best value I've had thus far. I'd prefer a great massage here to a shitty massage in an outdoor pavilion on a mosquito-less Thai beach (were those my only 2 options in a game of 'would you rather...?')
Both me and my mommy loved how they massaged our tense backs and coming back for sure!
My shady chinatown massage place of choice.
Upon descending the steep stairs, you're quickly ushered into a large dimly lit room resembling a crematorium. Motionless bodies lay scattered on narrow tables around the barren room and above each a masseuse hovers, pressing and squeezing and kneading and oh-my-god-that-hurts-so-good-ing.
Wu Lim Qi Gong is no frills massage at its best -- you're paying for strong hands, not scented candles, relaxing music, and heated stones. As with all asian massage places, there's a large language barrier between the customers and employees but they understand "softer" and "harder" and with a little pointing to various body parts and charades-like demonstration, you'll get by just fine. Soon, miniature fireworks are going off in your brain, and your body starts to feel like jelly (this is a a positive thing) When you're finished and you return to the street, you'll feel like you're floating in the clouds and your vision will be a bit blurry from all the endorphins.
Minus one star for the room being a little too warm for my liking, and for putting uncomfortable paper towels around the face-hole in the tables. And the cheesy asian instrumental renditions of american songs playing is just awful.
They've got two fairly clean bathrooms and they give water after you're done (albeit in the smallest paper cups you've ever seen!). They also have a buy 10 - get 1 free card. They DO accept credit cards but they'll charge tax, so bring cash instead. I generally tip 15-20%. You should too.
There's nothing like sitting on a plane for 6 hours to make my body ache. So as my flight is making it's final descent into the New York area, I'm already dreaming of Chinatown massage. Now, if you're expecting a fancy-schmancy spa with essential oils and Enya playing in the background, you're in for a rude awakening. This place is a dimly lit basement room with about 10 massage tables. No frills, but it is a clean and orderly locale.
What it lacks in decor and privacy, it more than makes up for with it's strong massages. Holy crapola batman! The power in those hands and arms just working away at all my crazy knots and kinks. Hurts soooooo good. I walk out of there in a daze and ready to float away.
The pricing is odd in a chuckle-worthy way. 61 minutes ($42), 46 minutes ($32), 31 minutes ($21), 16 minutes ($11), 10 minutes ($7). Cash only.
I found this place accidentally b/c I was looking for a relfexology studio called Foot Heaven. I was making my way thru Chinatown towards Pell St and I randomly spotted this place and figured I'd check it out.
When you first walk down the steep staircase (seriously, hold the handrail) you come to a bunch of price signs and posters outlining accupressure points on the body and the feet. This made me feel reassured that it wasn't just some Chinatown sex basement, they appear to know what they're doing. As soon as you walk into the front door there's a narrow, brightly lit waiting area (a few folding chairs, water cooler) and whatever available staff is free.
I got helped by a nice Asian guy who didn't speak much, just motioned for me to come and quickly led me to this really big dark room with dim lighting and soft oriental trancey music playing. There were about 15 full massage tables laid out in long rows along the space (only a few were occupied), all of them had fresh clean linens. I pointed to the price list on the wall and let him know what service I wanted, he nodded and had me remove my shoes and roll my pant legs up to my knees, used a fresh wet hot towel on my feet and his hands, then pretty much went straight to work. His touch was attentive and firm, he really sought out the sore spots along the soles of my feet and around my heels --- he was sure to pay attention to how I was reponding, i.e. any discomfort or releif. When we were done he did a breif rubdown of my calves and legs, made sure to stretch and pull them a bit. Also gave me a quick 5minute shoulder/chest rub. He offered to continue with a back massage but I opted out. Overall, the session was REALLY GOOD, probably not a top of the line experience but way better than I expected it to be.
You have to remember that this isn't a spa, it's a basement-level body work studio, so you can't walk in with Elizabeth Arden expectations. $28 for a 45min foot relexology session, hello! What's not to like? I left a $7 tip and he was so thankful, so I get the impression ppl tend to not tip which is too bad. I will absolutely go back again.
I came here after reading reviews and was not disappointed! An authentic, clean, no frills/pampering, not for wimps, deep tissue Chinese massage place. It will hurt so good!
Descending the steep staircase into the sketchy basement initially made me question my decision. As soon as I stepped into the fluorescent lit front room, a man (manager?) yelled for someone available and I was whisked away to the darkened back room. Yikes!... I was definitely reassured by the communal massage room. Paper towels were laid down for my face, you take off your shoes and they place towels over your clothed body when you face lie down. My masseuse asked me what I wanted and got to work right away.
I don't know how she knew where to focus through towels and clothes, but her ability to hone in on problem areas was amazing! She never let up on her pressure and was super efficient in divvying up the time for my quick (30') whole body massage.
You can't get a better massage for these prices! I will be back to fill up those little squares on my buy 10 get 1 free card!
Heads up:
~Knowing Chinese will make things easier, but is definitely not required.
~There will be intermittent talking as other customers move in/out of the room & the masseuse tries to figure out what other people want.
~There's another establishment called Wu Lim down the street.
After reading the reviews here, my friends and I (5 total) deicided to give it a try at 8:30pm one night. It was a bit scary walking down into a basement, but well worth it. $21 for a 30 minute massage - WOW! We all lay in beds with clean paper towels over the face holes and got a wonderful back massage. It is a community room, but no disrobing as they put towels over you. The man who I had massaged knots I didn't know I had----he also stood on a stool to get the really tight spots out. We asked for 15 minutes to be a foot massage....SO great....they make you feel like you can walk 10 miles after that massage. Make sure you tip well, they deserve it. We tipped $9 each.
NYC residents---they have a frequent buyer card---buy 10 masages, get 1 free!
This morning I woke up with the most back pain I've had in a very long time, so I finally decided to go for my first NYC massage. I work in SoHo, so Chinatown is walkable -- and the massage places there are cheap.
I paid $11 for 16 minutes here, and it was very relaxing. The setting is good (very dark room, but not private), the people were nice and respectful, and the massage felt pretty good. It wasn't amazing, but it was nice and relaxing. I enjoyed the piano music in the background. I tipped an additional $2 (I had no idea what was fair -- but that's what I tip at haircut places typically).
