By Jeong Ji-su
If staying warm is your ideal way of spending winter, how about making your way to hot springs for relaxation and a nice treatment for your body? Here are five personal recommendations for the best hot springs in Korea.
[ Paradise Spa Dogo ]
Located in the heart of Korea's No.1 hot spring town Asan, Paradise Spa Dogo is a family-style multi-purpose resort boasting leisure facilities suitable for both children and adults alike. There are 15 spa baths ― both indoor and outdoor ― with special outdoor spas comprising of Acanthopanax, ginger and mandarin peel in winter. Paradise Spa Dogo in cooperation with Daejeon University's Oriental Medicine Hospital provides special baths for treatment purposes. No wonder it is designated as one of the recuperation hot springs (boyangoncheon) for its outstanding physical and mental health benefits.
Address: 176, Dogo spa-ro, Dogo-myeon, Asan, South Chungcheong Province
Phone number: (041) 537-7100
[ Seorak Waterpia ]
Nestled near Mount Seorak, Seorak Waterpia is one of Korea's largest hot spring resorts affiliated with Hanhwa Resorts Seorak. As Korea's first hot spring-themed water park, SeorakWaterpia offers both exciting water rides and nourishing outdoor spa and sauna facilities such as a wood spa, scent therapy spa and "mountain spa" to enjoy Mount Seorak's wonderful views while bathing. Originated from the water formed during the Mesozoic Era, SeorakWaterpia's hot springs is rich in both cations and anions, effective for stress-relief and disease treatment.
Address: 88, Misiryeong-ro 2983 Beon-gil, Sokcho, Gangwon Province
Phone number: (033) 630-5500
[ Suanbo Hot Springs ]
Suanbo Hot Springs is Korea's first naturally yielded spring which started to flow 30,000 years ago. According to records, it was another go-to place for kings during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The alkaline spring water rich in calcium, sodium and magnesium, is brought up from 250 meters underground with a temperature of 53 degrees Celsius. The local government controls the quality of the water, guaranteeing Suanbo Hot Springs' water quality.
Address: 500, Mireuksonggye-ro, Suanbo-myeon, Chungju, NorthChungcheong Province
Phone number: (043) 846-3605
[ Bugok Hot Springs – Bugok Hawaii ]
Bugok Hot Springs is another hot spring town designated as a Special Tourist Complex in 1997. It is famous for its high water temperature reaching up to 78 degrees Celsius. Raw spring water goes through a cooling system before supplying the baths. There are plumbers assigned to each spa facilities controlling the water quality. Bugok Hot Springs contains the highest concentration of sulfur among Korea's hot springs. Sulfur is effective for treating skin problems, neuralgia and breathing difficulties. The area's most famous hot springs is Bugok Hawaii, with different types of spas and a water park.
Address: 77, Oncheonjungang-ro, Bugok-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, SouthGyeongsang Province
Phone number: (055) 536-6331
[ Onyang Hot Springs – Sinchuntang ]
Onyang Hot Springs is Korea's oldest hot spring, founded about 1,300 years ago and the go-to place for kings during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) for relaxation and treatment purposes. The water temperature peaks around 57 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest among hot springs in Korea. The water contains high concentrations of radium and is alkaline, which means it is effective in treating skin problems, high blood pressure and liver disease. Attracting five million visitors yearly, there are 120 accommodation spots in the area. The most famous and one of the oldest hot springs in Onyang is Sinchuntang, which has been open since 1960.
Address: 221-2 Oncheon-1-dong, Asan, South Chungcheong Province
Phone number: (041) 545-7777
The author is a freelance writer based in Seoul, Korea. She can be reached at jisujennyj@gmail.com.
If staying warm is your ideal way of spending winter, how about making your way to hot springs for relaxation and a nice treatment for your body? Here are five personal recommendations for the best hot springs in Korea.
[ Paradise Spa Dogo ]
.jpg/dims/resize/740/optimize) |
| © Paradise Spa Dogo |
Located in the heart of Korea's No.1 hot spring town Asan, Paradise Spa Dogo is a family-style multi-purpose resort boasting leisure facilities suitable for both children and adults alike. There are 15 spa baths ― both indoor and outdoor ― with special outdoor spas comprising of Acanthopanax, ginger and mandarin peel in winter. Paradise Spa Dogo in cooperation with Daejeon University's Oriental Medicine Hospital provides special baths for treatment purposes. No wonder it is designated as one of the recuperation hot springs (boyangoncheon) for its outstanding physical and mental health benefits.
Address: 176, Dogo spa-ro, Dogo-myeon, Asan, South Chungcheong Province
Phone number: (041) 537-7100
 |
[ Seorak Waterpia ]
 |
| © Seorak Waterpia |
 |
Nestled near Mount Seorak, Seorak Waterpia is one of Korea's largest hot spring resorts affiliated with Hanhwa Resorts Seorak. As Korea's first hot spring-themed water park, SeorakWaterpia offers both exciting water rides and nourishing outdoor spa and sauna facilities such as a wood spa, scent therapy spa and "mountain spa" to enjoy Mount Seorak's wonderful views while bathing. Originated from the water formed during the Mesozoic Era, SeorakWaterpia's hot springs is rich in both cations and anions, effective for stress-relief and disease treatment.
Address: 88, Misiryeong-ro 2983 Beon-gil, Sokcho, Gangwon Province
Phone number: (033) 630-5500
 |
[ Suanbo Hot Springs ]
.jpg) |
| © Suanbo Hot Springs |
Suanbo Hot Springs is Korea's first naturally yielded spring which started to flow 30,000 years ago. According to records, it was another go-to place for kings during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910). The alkaline spring water rich in calcium, sodium and magnesium, is brought up from 250 meters underground with a temperature of 53 degrees Celsius. The local government controls the quality of the water, guaranteeing Suanbo Hot Springs' water quality.
Address: 500, Mireuksonggye-ro, Suanbo-myeon, Chungju, NorthChungcheong Province
Phone number: (043) 846-3605
 |
[ Bugok Hot Springs – Bugok Hawaii ]
 |
| © Bugok Hawaii |
Bugok Hot Springs is another hot spring town designated as a Special Tourist Complex in 1997. It is famous for its high water temperature reaching up to 78 degrees Celsius. Raw spring water goes through a cooling system before supplying the baths. There are plumbers assigned to each spa facilities controlling the water quality. Bugok Hot Springs contains the highest concentration of sulfur among Korea's hot springs. Sulfur is effective for treating skin problems, neuralgia and breathing difficulties. The area's most famous hot springs is Bugok Hawaii, with different types of spas and a water park.
Address: 77, Oncheonjungang-ro, Bugok-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, SouthGyeongsang Province
Phone number: (055) 536-6331
[ Onyang Hot Springs – Sinchuntang ]
Onyang Hot Springs is Korea's oldest hot spring, founded about 1,300 years ago and the go-to place for kings during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) for relaxation and treatment purposes. The water temperature peaks around 57 degrees Celsius, making it one of the hottest among hot springs in Korea. The water contains high concentrations of radium and is alkaline, which means it is effective in treating skin problems, high blood pressure and liver disease. Attracting five million visitors yearly, there are 120 accommodation spots in the area. The most famous and one of the oldest hot springs in Onyang is Sinchuntang, which has been open since 1960.
Address: 221-2 Oncheon-1-dong, Asan, South Chungcheong Province
Phone number: (041) 545-7777
The author is a freelance writer based in Seoul, Korea. She can be reached at jisujennyj@gmail.com.
