Now that the Vaccinated Travel Lane to South Korea has been established, we’re sure many of you are starting to plan your trips there. While you are planning your itinerary of what you’re going to do there, we would like to suggest that you also pay a visit to a Korean bath house, also known as a jjimjilbang. But of course, don’t just go to any bath house near your hotel, instead, opt for unique jjimjilbangs so that you get to experience something different.
For the uninitiated, a typical jjimjilbang will offer a hot bath service where you will most likely be naked as an ahjumma (old lady) or ahjussi (old man) scrubs you down depending on your gender, various sauna rooms such as red clay or ice rooms with their unique health benefits, snacks like a traditional boiled egg, and some form of entertainment like books, computer games, and movies – all to help you relax. That’s a lot in one place!
However, like we said earlier, we’re not interested in a typical jjimjilbang. With the hundreds around South Korea, we want to really nail down those unique ones that not only provide a place for you to relax, but give you an experience. Read on to take a look at our roundup of eight unique jjimjilbang you can visit!
1. Cheongna Sparex
The architecture of this jjimjilbang is its main attraction. Designed as a traditional Korean village, Cheongna Sparex gives a communal vibe the moment you enter and its amenities make it family-friendly. There is an outdoor pool for the kids and various indoor spas for the parents to detox.
After all these fun-festivities, the family can return to the camping zone with literal tents and cushions for a meal and some bonding time. In addition, the jjimjilbang has a “Cypress Forest Park”, a room made entirely of cypress wood, making it one of the most unique jjimjilbangs. Dwelling in natural wood is a known practice for relaxing and the fragrance emitted by the trees provides natural aromatherapy.
Address: 15 Cheongna Canal-ro 260beo-gin, Gyeongseo-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon
Admission Fees: KRW8,000 to KRW11,000 (~S$9.18 to S$12.62)
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
2. Paradise City’s Cimer Spa
One of the most unique jjimjilbangs is Paradise City’s Cimer spa. It is an ocean-themed spa and jjimjilbang that offers you an all-rounded jjimjilbang experience from themed rooms to outdoor pools to relaxing spas. It has three levels of relaxing activities for you to de-stress and have fun including an outdoor infinity pool, water slides, and even a “cave spa” where the pool is designed to look like a cave.
One of its main attraction, however, is the odourless, colourless, and weak alkaline seawater hot spring that boasts great skin-improving properties.
Address: 186, Yeongjonghaeannam-ro 321beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon
Admission Fees: KRW30,000 to KRW70,000 (~S$34.42 to S$80.32)
Opening Hours: Open 10am to 10pm (Mon – Sun)
3. Hwanggeum Sauna
One of the main attractions of jjimjilbangs is the ability to unwind, rejuvenate, and pamper yourself after weeks of non-stop work. Hwanggeum Sauna understands this well, and has therefore thrown in spa packages to give you not only a relaxing time, but one that transforms your entire appearance.
This unique jjimjilbang is particularly popular amongst Japanese visitors, and you’ll see evidence of this when you spot the Japanese signatures on the wall at the reception counter.
You can choose from four spa packages – Basic Sauna, Chocolate, Pearl and Collagen – and simply lie down while the attendants work their magic. Each spa package targets different areas to give your skin the glow you’ve always wanted to achieve.
Address: B1/F, Designers Building, 19-27 Myeongdong 10-gil, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Admission Fees: KRW36,000 (~S$41.31)
Opening Hours: 9am to 6.30pm
4. Supsok Hanbang Land (Traditional Oriental Forest Land Sauna)
The name itself already tells you that this is a getaway from the city! This traditional jjimjilbang is located very accessibly at the base of Ansan Mountain and you can get a great view of the mountainous lands from the rooftop sauna.
Indeed, it is a perfect place to relax and de-stress. What’s so unique about this jjimjilbang is that it is one of the few left to use a traditional charcoal heating system by burning oak and pine wood. The old tale is that the heat generated from the wood has healing abilities and is therefore preferred to modern electrical heating. If you want to test out the validity of this tale, head down and find out for yourself!
In addition to the common snacks such as boiled eggs and tea, this unique jjimjilbang also allows you to grill samgyeopsal (pork belly) if you want to really fill your tummy.
Address: 75-7 Bongwonsa-gil, Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Admission Fees: KRW10,000 to KRW11,000 (~S$11.47 to S$12.62)
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
5. Spa Lei
Unfortunately for our male readers, Spa Lei is open to females only. Interestingly, the jjimjilbang pumps water from the nearby sea for their special seawater tub!
Spa Lei boasts a Korean sauna experience with an Eastern European and Hungarian twist, something that is not seen elsewhere, making it one of the most unique jjimjilbangs. Indulge in the high-quality Korean traditional treatments and unique services with your girl pals and let your stress and tensions melt away.
At Spa Lei, you’ll get to experience snacks and facilities offered at all the other jjimjilbangs, but since this is a women’s jjimjilbang, there are special services here that are specifically tailored for the ladies. This includes body scrubs, facial treatments, facial threading services, and manicure services. Many South Korean women would spend the night there to rejuvenate and pamper themselves after a long day of work or after clubbing, before heading back to work the next morning.
Address: 8-22 Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Admission Fees: KRW16,000 (~S$18.36)
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
6. Songdo Haesupia
Jjimjilbangs are usually located right in the central city, which keeps you within the hustle and bustle of city life. This could be because few want to head out to somewhere more remote because – let’s face it – convenience matters!
However, Songdo Haesupia offers its visitors a getaway from the city while being in the city. With its strategic location beside a river, you get a full water view and the peace that comes with it. Moreover, there are over 20 rooms and saunas for you to select from.
Address: 134 Chungmu-daero, Nambumin 2(i)-dong, Seo-gu, Busan, South Korea
Admission Fees: KRW10,000 to KRW12,000 (~S$11.47 to S$13.77)
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
7. Siloam Bulgama Sauna
Siloam Bulgama Sauna is said to be one of the best and most unique jjimjilbangs in South Korea, and after looking through the amenities it provides, we can see why!
Unlike other jjimjilbangs that only offer floor space, a blanket, and a wooden block pillow for you to rest on, Siloam Bulgama Sauna actually offers sleeping rooms with individual beds so that you can have maximum comfort when you rest. And that’s not all, the rooms also have air purifiers, humidifiers, and thermometers that you can make use of.
For the bathhouse, you get to choose from three heated medicinal baths that target different concerns you might have. Choose the wormwood bath if you’re looking to help ease your menstrual pains, the charcoal bath if you’re looking to boost your metabolism and defend against ageing, or the jade bath if you just want to channel some peace.
If you’re in South Korea, you definitely should pay a visit to Siloam Bulgama Sauna, and while the exterior of the building looks old and perhaps a little shady, enter it to uncover a treasure trove of sauna rooms that will leave you feeling satisfied.
Address: 49 Jungnim-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Admission Fees: KRW9,000 to KRW17,000 (~S$10.33 to S$19.51)
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
8. SPALUX
SPALUX is the largest jjimjilbang in Gyeongju City, and it doesn’t only offer bath house amenities. This unique jjimjilbang is also equipped with saunas, fitness facilities, a library, a playground, a gaming area, and a restaurant. And here’s the best part, it is conveniently located near Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal, making it very accessible.
Pamper yourself with the different therapeutic rooms that feature salt, charcoal, and coral stones that are known to have lots of healing properties.
SPALUX is definitely the place to go if you’re looking for a relaxing spa retreat with lots of facilities.
Address: 14-1 Wonhyo-ro, Noseo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Admission Fees: KRW6,500 to KRW13,000 (~S$7.46 to S$14.92)
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
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