South Korea is starting to appeal to tourists not only because of the rich culture that it possesses, amazing cuisine that you can sample or because of the great shopping adventure that one may experience during each visit. Nowadays, Korea is starting to be known to a specific group of travellers for its numerous hot springs. These travellers are specifically those who seek rest and relaxation during their vacation and they make it a point to sample the massage parlors and aromatherapy clinics of the country that they are visiting.

In South Korea, one may find quite a number of hot springs that offer not only rejuvenation but a lovely scenic view of countryside that can already help melt your tiredness away. These natural hot springs are produced when the water from the underground is heated by geothermal forces and mixed with cold water on its way to the surface of the earth. These hot springs are becoming popular to tourists as the water is believed to have a lot of medicinal properties that have therapeutic powers over diseases.

One example of these hot springs is the Bugok Hot Springs which can be found at the base of the majestic mountain, Mt. Deokamsam. You can reach this sulfur hot spring by taking a bus from the Seoul Gangnam Express Bus Terminal. Prepare yourself for the long trip as the bus ride will last for about 5 hours!

The temperature of the water reaches a high 78 degrees celsius which is enough to cook food items like eggs. The water offers different forms of inorganic materials that includes calcium, iron, silicon, etc that help provide aid for breathing problems, rheumatism, some skin diseases, prickly heat, etc.

Another great thing about the Bugok Hot Springs is that it is actually a multi-complex resort that offers other facilities to guests aside from the hot springs. Visitors can enjoy the spa facilities, both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hotels, a botanical garden and a lot of shopping centers. The Bugok Hot Springs spa is also a favourite most especially during winter. These wonderful offerings make this place a perfect excursion destination for the entire family and this is why the giant pool is usually crowded with people who are taking a refreshing dip. Furthermore, an event called the Bugok Hot Springs Festival is held here every October each year and is attended by people from all over Korea as well as foreigners. It is open from 6:00 am up to 9:00 pm.

If you would like to visit another hot spring then you can go try the Dogo Hot Springs which started to gain popularity back in 1975. It is specifically located at Gigongni, Dogo-myeon, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do Province. It is one of the four biggest sulphur hot springs in the Orient and its waters contain minerals like calcium, magnesium, etc. People visit the hot springs as soaking in the warm water is believed to prevent blood vessels and arteries from hardening, some skin diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, diabetes, digestive disorders, etc. The water is also has enough minerals to help clear skin of acne and blemishes.

Just like the Bugok Hot Springs, the entire Dogo Hot Springs complex offers tourists other facilities like lodging wherein one can choose from hotels, condominiums or inns. There are also various sports facilities perfect for the sporty type like swimming pools, tennis courts and golf courses.

A lot of Koreans and tourists also frequent another one called the Onyang Hot Springs which is the oldest hot spring in Korea as it was founded more than a thousand years ago. The natural spring water is at 57 degrees celsius and helps provide major stress relief and can treat a number of skin diseases, rheumatism and can increase one’s metabolism. There are about four indoor pools and one outdoor bubble tub. The men’s tub can accommodate over 400 people while the women’s tub can accommodate almost 300 people at a time. Aside from the hot tubs, there is a spa and a sauna room that will help visitors relax even more.

Another place called Suanbo is commonly known as a resort town with hot springs and ski slopes that are fantastically set against green rolling hills. You can reach the Suanbo Hot Springs by taking several modes of transportation like buses that travel from Seoul and other major cities. From the Chungju Intercity bus terminal, you may take a bus headed for Suanbo, Songgye Woraksan, and get off at the Suanbo post office. Alternatively, you can also choose to take a taxi but that is, of course, more expensive.

The water, that has an acidity level of 8.3, has minerals known to combat certain skin diseases, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, etc even in the absence of color, taste and odor. Aside from the hot springs, you can also enjoy other tourist facilities such as hotels, restaurants, the spa and even a sauna bath.

There is another one – the Yuseong Hot Springs which is located at the center of Daejeon. Locals would tell you that the Yuseong hot springs gained popularity because the water that comes from here contains about 60 different minerals and substances like calcium, potassium, etc. This alkaline hot springs can cure ailments like rheumatism, skin diseases, reproductive ailments, etc.

It is easy to reach the Yuseong Hot Springs by taking several buses from the Daejeon Station and stopping at Oncheon. There are also nearby accommodations that offer facilities that tourists can enjoy during the visit to Yuseong.

If you have tried relaxing in your hotel bathtub like the one that you can enjoy at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul, then maybe it is high time that you give yourself a chance to experience a different form of pampering that will surely bring you closer to nature. Try and visit any of these soothing hot springs during your visit to South Korea. Just a few minutes spent in these hot springs would certainly relax you and make you “feel brand new.” You will be rejuvenated, revived and recharged for yet another adventure filled day that awaits you.

Posted in Korea, Things to do

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 at 1:01 am and is filed under Korea, Things to do. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.