Chase Away Winter Blues at Hot Springs
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
In the middle of the winter when temperatures hover below zero, there's nothing more tempting than a relaxing soak at ``oncheon,'' or hot springs, a popular destination for those wanting to escape the cold.
Korea is known for its numerous hot springs, which are filled with various minerals and elements such as alkaline, radium, sulfur and sodium. The mineral-rich water is supposedly good for one's health by stimulating blood circulation, combating fatigue and helps cure various skin diseases like arthritis, anemia, neuralgia (painful nerve disorder), high blood pressure and certain gastrointestinal diseases.
There are now many resorts around the country that boast spas and pools filled with mineral-rich water. Resorts also have an array of leisure facilities such as water slides, massage pools, gyms, saunas, playgrounds and other attractions for the whole family.
Why not try to schedule a day trip or a weekend to one of Korea's many hot springs?
Hot Springs
Different kinds of minerals can be found in the hot springs around Korea. Admission ranges from 5,000 won to 10,000 won.
The hot spring closest to Seoul would have to be in Icheon, Gyeonggi province.
North Chungcheong Province, located around an hour and a half to two hours from Seoul, boasts several hot springs such as Asan (previously known as Onyang), Dogo, Yuseong and Suanbo.
Many have a long history. For instance, Asan, 1,300 years old, was reputedly the first hot spring discovered in the country. Its waters have a high concentration of radium and alkaline, both of which help treat arthritis, skin problems, liver disease and high blood pressure.
The Suanbo hot springs claims to have been in existence since the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392). Its water contains radium, calcium and magnesium and the temperature is 53 degrees Celsius
In Gyeongsang province, there are hot springs in Baekam, Bugok, Dongnae, Haeundae and Gyeongju. Baekam hot springs, located in Uljin, has been famous since the Shilla era (57 BC-935). The water temperature ranges from 32 degrees to 53 degrees Celsius.
In Gangwon province, the Osaek hot springs are filled with alkaline water that helps ease high blood pressure, diabetes, and neuralgia. It is also known for having positive effects on skin. Water at the Chiaksan hot springs are known to contain fluorine and radium to help treat skin and eye diseases and even tooth decay.
Spa Resorts
Many new resorts have sprouted up around Korea, offering a more luxurious and slightly more expensive spa experience.
Termeden, located in Icheon, is touted as the first ever German-style spa in Asia. German bathhouses are places where people can undergo water therapy to cure ailments. There are various pools with massage equipment, different medicated bathhouses and specific bath programs for those who are stressed out or trying to lose weight.
Termeden uses simple hot spring water to help ease sore muscles, and cure digestive and other gastric problems, as well as make skin smoother. Termeden recommends the following steps in bathing: Relax your body and warm up the muscles with light exercise and swim for 30 minutes. Then take a cold bath, immediately followed by a hot bath. The change in water temperature is supposed to stimulate blood circulation and speed up one's metabolism. The last step is to take a rest to calm the body.
From Dec. 20 to March 1, weekday admission is 26,000 won for adults and 18,000 won for children. On weekends, admission for adults is 30,000 won and 22,000 won for children. Add 5,000 won extra for access to the pool with ``doctor fish.'' Visit www.termeden.com (Korean, English) or call (031) 645-2000.
Spa Greenland, located in Gwangju, Gyeonggi province, is known for its ``doctor fish'' pools, referring to fish that nibble on dead skin, allowing it to be healthier and smoother.
Spa Greenland offers indoor pools, a bubble spa and special tubs filled with wine, tea and other herbs that supposedly have health benefits. On weekdays, admission is 23,000 won for adults, and 15,000 won for children. On weekends, admission if 28,000 won for adults and 21,000 won for children. Depending on your credit or discount card, you can get up to a 40 percent discount. Visit www.spagreenland.co.kr or call 031-760-5700.
Icheon SpaPlus is a hot springs theme park located less than an hour from downtown Seoul. It offers different themed hot springs, as well as a Health Zone offering personal consultations to determine which hot springs would be most suitable for each guest.
Couples can enjoy a Romantic Christmas package (starting at 229,000 won), including accommodations, meals and access to the spa, from Dec. 20-25. Visit www.mirandahotel.com or call (31) 633-2001 or (02) 549-4922.
Asan Spavis, located in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, is known for using hot springs water that contains 20 different minerals. There are skin care, weight management and Oriental medicine programs.
Adult tickets to the spa and hot springs costs 29,000 won on weekdays and 33,000 won on weekends. For children, the rate is 22,000 won on weekdays and 24,000 on weekends. Admission is only 8,000 won. Visit www.spavis.co.kr.
Water Parks
Water parks, a popular destination during the sweltering summer months, are now becoming equally popular in the winter, since many water parks and resorts also offer hot springs and spa facilities.
Vivaldi Ocean World, located in Daemyung Vivaldi Park, Gangwon Province, features a 4,000 pyeong indoor area with a Spa Village, hydro-massage facilities and various pools that will relax your muscles. From Dec. 20 to Feb. 1, tickets to Ocean World cost 45,000 won for weekends and 32,000 won for weekdays.
This winter, Ocean Park is offering special therapy and spa programs. Beauty-conscious women can pamper themselves by getting ginseng anti-aging facial treatment (100,000 won). Anyone can unwind with the signature body massage (150,000 won), back, neck and shoulder massage (60,000 won) or an anti-stress bath (30,000 won). Exfoliate with a black sesame seed rub (50,000 won) or tamarind and turmeric salt scrub (50,000 won). If you want the ultimate treatment, get the Spa Retreat special, which includes a full body scrub, massage and facial treatment for three hours
Other Daemyung resorts such as Seorak Resort, Danyang Resort, Gyeongju Resort and Sol Beach all have Aqua World swimming pools and spa facilities. Visit www.daemyungresort.com.
Seorak Waterpia, located at the foot of Mt. Seorak, Gangwon province, is one place where you can soak in an open-air hot spring tub filled with hot spring water while gazing at the spectacular views of the mountain and East Sea. Waterpia uses natural spring water with a temperature of 49 degrees.
There is a Well-Being Spa section with hot spring pools filled with jasmine and lemon scents, a cave sauna, a rain spa, mountain spa and a dragon spa (filled with 100 percent natural hot spring water). Children can have fun in the playgrounds and various swimming pools with artificial waves. There are also private spas for families and couples.
From Seoul, it takes around three hours and 10 minutes to Seorak Waterpia by car, or around three hours and 50 minutes by express bus. On weekdays, tickets are 27,500 won for adults 21,000 won for children. On weekends, tickets are 30,000 won for adults and 22,500 won for children. Visit www.seorakwaterpia.co.kr (Korean, English) or call (033) 635-7700