Public bath can offer authentic experience, lodging

Dragon Hill Spa & Resort's common hall is where people gather to talk and sleep. The two domes are heated rooms, and sweating inside is believed to be good for people's health.
/ Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

By Kim Se-jeong

Park Yong-chul, 54, a Seoul resident, visits Dragon Hill Spa, a Korean-style public bathhouse, called "jjimjilbang," every month. He goes there during weekends and either his son or wife tags along.

Last weekend, he was with his teenage son. "He is in high school and super busy," he said. This summer, the family took a vacation to the jjimjilbang. "It's too hot wherever you go. Here, it is cool and relaxing. Why go somewhere else?"

A jjimjilbang is probably one of the most common elements in ordinary Korean life. They are everywhere in the city, from affluent districts to the least privileged quarters. People come for a short stay of a couple of hours or to spend the night with friends or family as an outing. It is also often an option for travelers who can't afford a hotel room.

For travelers looking for a true Korean experience, this is a must, and here is what you can expect from a jjimjilbang.

Guests eat baked eggs, one of the representative snacks in jjimjilbang, in Traditional Oriental Forest Land.

1. Clothing

Upon arrival at the counter, you will receive a shirt, pants and towels. Keep a hold of the towels; they will be useful later in the tub or in the heated rooms.

2. Heated rooms

You will see several rooms around the common hallway. Rooms are mostly hot, and they're intentionally kept hot for health reasons. Each room is heated with different materials which are believed to have different health effects. Take your pick, and give it a try, but don't try too hard. It takes practice to get used to it, and if you try too hard, you can end up in an emergency room. In most jjimjilbang, you won't see wood burning, but there are places where you can, including Traditional Oriental Forest Land in Sinchon near Yonsei University.

Visitors sweat in a heated room of Traditional Oriental Forest Land. A shirt and pants are given to all patrons, along with towels.

3. A lot of food, but pricy

You can sample different Korean food at jjimjilbang, from simple snacks to a full meal. Dragon Hill has a canteen where you can pick up cookies, chips, beer and other drinks, and restaurants that serve bulgogi, bibimbap, ramen, cold noodles, and chimaek (fried chicken and beer). At the Traditional Oriental Forest Land, you can try baked potato, sweet potato and pumpkin. But bear in mind that you will pay more for food there than outside. In all jjimjilbangs, you are allowed to bring your own food, so if you are a budget traveler, it can be a good idea to bring food with you.

4. Crowds and sleeping on the floor

People will be sleeping on the floor and surrounded by strangers at all times, even when lying down for a nap. It is a very ordinary Korean scene. It can be uncomfortable at first, but worth the experience.

5. Entertainment

A jjimjilbang is full of entertainment to try. If you haven't tried a singing room, or karaoke, it's time to do so. Dragon Hill has one of the city's most diverse entertainment options. Other than karaoke, it has a swimming pool, a gym, a library and a game room where you will find all types of computer games.

Visit www.dragonhillspa.com for more information about Dragon Hill Spa. For Traditional Oriental Forest Land, visit http://www.hanbangland.co.kr. For other spots in the city, visit www.visitseoul.net and type "jjimjilbang."

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