By Lee Hyo-sik
Jangheung county in South Jeolla Province will open the nation’s first nudist area, the “nude forest bath,” on July 30 where people are allowed to walk through the trees naked, officials said Monday.
The county has been building the area, called Vivi Ecotopia, inside the Jangheung Woodland, famous for hundreds of 40-year-old cypress trees on 33 hectares of land.
Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to experience the forest bath each year where they will be exposed to phytoncides released by the trees. The antimicrobial, allelochemic, volatile organic compounds are known to relax the human body.
“We will open Korea’s first nude forest bath area to the public on July 30,” a Jangheung county official said.
Another official at the Jangheung Woodland management office said there will be a dozen huts built with tables and other facilities necessary for outdoor relaxation at Vivi Ecotopia.
“We will charge those who want to experience the forest bath nude an entrance fee. But we have not yet decided on the amount. The visitors will receive disposable panties and gowns free of charge. But they can also wear their own clothes if they want to,” the official said.
“With clothes on, visitors can go anywhere they want to. But those who want to take part in the experience naked should remain inside the huts or in a designated outdoor area. Men and women will be also separated from each other,” he said.
The official said the nude forest bath will only admit up to 200 people at a time.