Call of hot springs

By Baek Byung-yeul

It is winter, the season for visiting "oncheon" or hot springs. Immersing in the hot waters will relieve accumulated fatigue and stress. According to the Korea Hotspring Association, water with temperatures naturally rising above 25 degrees Celsius and containing alkaline substances, sulfur, calcium, or magnesium are defined as hot springs good for the body.

Among some 400 hot springs here, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) recommended five hot spring districts in December. It chose the Asan area in South Chungcheong Province; Hwaseong area in Gyeonggi Province; Cheoksan area of Sokcho, Gangwon Province; Suanbo area in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province; and Bugok, Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province where water containing sulfur can rise to temperatures as high as 78 degrees Celsius.

Asan oncheon area

Asan, South Chungcheong Province:There are three hot spring areas here where the 2013 Korea Hotspring Festival will be held in early October. They are Onyang oncheon area, in existence since the Joseon Kingdom period (1392-1910); Dogo oncheon area, designated as a good spa for recuperation by the government; and Asan oncheon area famous for its germanium and other abundant minerals in its waters.

Paradise Spa Dogo in Dogo oncheon area offers Siberian ginseng-filled water that helps blood circulation as well as providing a venue for caravan camping. Tickets cost 26,000 to 35,000 won for in and outdoor spas. For caravan campers, a 308,000-won package provides caravan rentals, and admission to all spa facilities. For more information, call (041) 537-7100 or visit www.paradisespa.co.kr.

Asan Spavis in the Asan oncheon area offers a pool modeled after water therapy bathhouses in Germany. The pool has diverse features allowing the whole body to be massaged including a "water fall" for the whole body; a "neck shower"; and "fish therapy" — letting fish eat dead areas of skin.

Admission to the spa costs 29,000-39,000 won. Snow sledding is available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (041) 539-2000 or visit www.spavis.co.kr.

Other attractions at Asan include Dangrim Art Museum where there is an art experience space for children, Maeng Sa-seong House which is the oldest private house in Korea, and the Asan Botanical Garden where people can enjoy various flowers, even in winter.

Hwaseong oncheon area

Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province: Hwaseong oncheon area is located only an hour-and half drive on the No. 15 Seohaean Expressway from Seoul.

There are various hot springs water parks here.

Entry to Miracle Water World costs between 4,000 to 6,000 won to enjoy the spa water. There is also a camp site which costs 30,000 won for a night. For more information, call (031) 353-1860 or visit www.miraclewaterworld.com.

There is also a water park, Hapy Land, offering types of spa and water slides for adults and children. Admission fees cost 20,000 to 33,000 won depending on people's ages and whether they go on weekdays or weekends. For more information, call 1577-5752 or visit www.hapyland.co.kr.

Cheoksan oncheon area

Sokcho, Gangwon Province: The hot springs area here features more dynamic outdoor activities with its nearby pine forest trail and a travel course like Mt. Seorak National Park.

Cheoksan Foot Spa Park, operated by local residents with free admission, is the optimum place to go after climbing or taking a walk around Mt. Seorak National Park. The hot springs at this area keep the water temperature at around 50 degrees Celsius and their alkaline spa water is widely known to be good for skin and neuralgia.

Cheoksan Spa World and Cheoksan Spa are representative spa facilities in this area. At Cheoksan Spa World, it costs 3,000 to 7,000 won for public spa. Families can choose either to opt for a 40,000-won spa for two or 60,000-won spa for four. For more information, call (033) 636-4000 or visit www.cheoksan.co.kr. At Cheoksan Spa, it costs 3,000 to 6,000 won for spa. For more information, call (033) 636-4806 or visit www.chocksanspa.co.kr.

Seorak Waterpia is a theme park, nestled in Seorak Hanwha Resort near Mt. Seorak, with its own spa. Indoor fees are between 8,000 to 10,000 won. Admissions for Waterpia ranges from 45,000 to 60,000 won. For more information, call (033) 630-5500 or visit www.seorakwaterpia.co.kr.

Suanbo oncheon area

Chungju, North Chungcheong Province: Suanbo oncheon area was a honeymoon destination in the resort during the 1970s, and the best traveling site for family in the 1980s.

There are three hot springs areas in Asan, South Chungcheong Province where the 2013 Korea Hotspring Festival will be held in early October.
/ Courtesy of Paradise Spa Dogo

Records about these hot springs go back to the Goryeo Kingdom period (936-1332).

Ranging up to 53 degrees Celsius in temperature, the water here abounds in minerals such as calcium, sodium, and magnesium.

For caravan campers, a 308,000-won package provides caravan rentals, and admission to all spa facilities. For more information, call (041) 537-7100 or visit www.paradisespa.co.kr. / Courtesy of Paradise Spa Dogo

Suanbo Park Hotel provides one-night packages that include a room, breakfast buffet, and outdoor spa at 119,000 won for weekdays and 139,000 won for weekends. For more information, call (043) 846- 2331 or visit the Korean only webpage www.suanbopark.co.kr.

Bugok oncheon area

Bugok hot springs, Changnyeong, South Gyeongsang Province: First developed in 1972, the district is reviving due to the recent well-being trend. Newly remodeled facilities, the nearby Upo wetland and convenient access via KTX are attracting visitors.

The water here is so hot — peaking at 78 degrees Celsius — that they supply spa water after lowering the water temperature. It contains mostly sulfur and is said to be effective in curing skin ailments and neuralgia.

Apart from the hot springs, visitors can visit and enjoy some 5,000 liquor artifacts at Liquorium, the worl's first liquor museum in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. / Korea Times file

Around 1,700 rooms are available including: Bugok Hawaii, Bugok Spadium, and Rainbow Tourist Hotel. Bugok Hawaii offers special winter deals that include events such as an Ice Sculpture Festival and snow sledding. With entrance fees at between 25,000 won to 38,000 won, you can enjoy the outdoor and indoor spas, the botanical garden, and the wildlife taxidermy museum. Other activities can also be paid for separately. For more information, call (055) 536-6331 or visit www.bugokhawaii.co.kr.

Another tourist attraction in this area is Gwanryong Temple which is one of the eight biggest temples of the Silla Kingdom (57B.C.-935A.D.).