Abstract
The development of bathhouses means new space appears and the habits of bath change. The bathhouses are different from homes, and people have more contacts with one another. The bathhouses are not only for bath, but also for social contacts. The rise of cities and changing population help the development of bathhouses. Generally speaking, bathhouses began from Song Dynasty. They were continued in Yuan Dynasty and then more blossomed in Ming and Qing Dynasty. Bathhouses usually located at where there was water, and it would be better with convenient traffic. The interiors of bathhouses in Ming and Qing Dynasty met people’s needs, and bath was joyful. They differed because of their types. The interiors of common bathhouses were simple while special bathhouses provided separate rooms. Those who came to bathhouses included not only travelers but common people, scholars, businessmen and even officials. But that people took a bath nakedly together made privacy gone. It’s the biggest difference between bathhouses and other public places. Scholars disliked bathing with common people, therefore they had some opinions. They thought it was not proper manner, and they wanted to be separated from common people because they had sense of superior. Special bathhouses met their needs, and bathhouses could divide people into different groups.