Want to know how locals in South Korea relax after a hard day’s work? The best way to find out is to experience it yourself. Spending time in Korean spas or Jimjilbang is a popular way to get some R&R in South Korea. It’s a unique experience you mustn’t miss out while visiting this wonderful Asian country.
What's Unique About A Korean Spa?
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©Official Photo from SeaLaLa Waterpark and Jimjilbang[/caption]
For a lot of people, the idea of a spa involves medicinal baths, saunas, facials, and massages. Korean spas have some similar qualities to the normal idea of a spa, but they have their own quirks that make your time at one interesting. Despite all the quirks many tourists may not be used to, it’s still a good place to relax and sweat.
The Korean spa, jimjilbang as locals call it, we refer to in this article is more akin to a bathhouse. To put things simply, it’s a segregated Korean bathhouse where you can spend time to unwind and pamper yourself.
Usually, spa establishments in Korea have all the amenities you’ll need to pamper yourself and even rest for the night. Many of the people who visit this place often stay for the night. It’s a popular place to take a break for both locals and tourists, both young and old.
There’s one thing of note that a lot of tourists, just like you, might be intimidated by. When you enter the bath and sauna of Korean spas, you must be in the nude, just like everyone else. Rules on nudity in the sauna area vary by spa, so check the establishment's policy. And because it’s normal, people inside the baths and saunas with you will pay you no mind.
Inside The Korean Spa
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©Official Photo of The Spa in Garden 5[/caption]
If you’re planning to spend some time at a Korean spa, you need to familiarize yourself with some of the areas in the establishment. Here’s a rundown of the areas you need to know. There may be some variation among different spas, but the following are the rooms they usually have in common.
Basic Rates: 9,000 – 17,000 KRW for Siloam Bulgama Sauna Spa; 8,000 – 12,000 KRW for The Spa in Garden 5; 8,000 – 10,000 KRW for SeaLaLa Waterpark and Jimjilbang; and 15,000 – 18,000 KRW for Spa Land Centum City. While you unwind, consider what souvenir to buy in Korea or plan your visit to Korea's JSA & the DMZ tour for a complete trip.
Lockers
Since you can’t take most items into the nude baths and saunas, Korean spas provide lockers for valuables. Shoe lockers are typically located before the front desk, while lockers for bags and clothes are in the changing rooms; some spas have a separate locker room. Your shoe and changing room lockers may share the same key, and some establishments use keycards instead of traditional keys—don’t lose them.
Changing Rooms
When you’re in a jimjilbang, you need to change and undress before going to the bath and sauna. For this purpose, changing rooms are available. Men and women’s changing rooms are segregated, and there usually are lockers for your clothes located inside for every customer’s convenience.
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©Photo by Spa Land in Busan, South Korea[/caption]
Baths
This is one of the places where the people in Korean spas unwind. The communal baths are segregated for men and women. The bath area in a jimjilbang is made up of different tubs filled with waters of varying temperatures, which can go up to 40°C. Before hopping into a tub, head to the shower area first to clean up.
After bathing, you might explore other things to do in Korea, like visiting a jimjilbang's shared lounges.
Sauna
Like the baths, the sauna area for Korean spas is made up of different saunas, with varying temperatures. It’s a good place to relax and sweat. If you’re lucky, the jimjilbang you visit may even have a cold room that you can try out.
Korean spas are diverse and many of them offer a wide variety of themed sauna rooms as well, so be sure to check unique sauna rooms on your trip to the spa.
Sleeping Area
As mentioned before, many patrons stay in a Korean spa overnight. They rest in the designated sleeping area, but these areas may not be what you’d imagine. Instead of beds or bunk beds, you usually sleep on the floor in a hall with a sleeping mat. Some Korean spas have bunk beds or capsules, but don’t always expect this option.
Basic Rates: 9,000 – 17,000 KRW (Siloam Bulgama Sauna Spa)
Basic Rates: 8,000 – 12,000 KRW (The Spa in Garden 5)
Basic Rates: 8,000 – 10,000 KRW for the spa (SeaLaLa Waterpark and Jimjilbang)
Basic Rates: 15,000 – 18,000 KRW (Spa Land Centum City)
Common Room
Not all rooms in a Korean spa are segregated. Usually, there’s a common room open to both men and women, with a lot of fun activities you can do while not relaxing in the baths or resting in the sleeping area. Some spas have common rooms with arcades, PC Bang, massage chairs, TV areas and snack bars where people can hang out and have fun.
What To Do While Visiting A Korean Spa
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©Official Photo of SeaLaLa Waterpark and Jimjilbang[/caption]
This section of the article will walk you through the things you must do and must try out while in a Jimjilbang. If you’re going to visit one, looking for an authentic experience, why not make the most out of it?
1.
Start with a soak in the hot baths. After soaking, try a body scrub for deep exfoliation—a signature treatment. Then head to the dry saunas or heated rooms, each with different temperatures and materials like jade or clay. Many spas also offer snack bars serving sikhye (sweet rice drink) and boiled eggs. For a full experience, spend a few hours rotating between baths, saunas, and relaxation rooms. If you’re planning a longer trip, consider other things to do in Korea to complement your spa day.
Siloam Bulgama Sauna Spa
Basic Rates: 9,000 – 17,000 KRW
The Spa in Garden 5
Basic Rates: 8,000 – 12,000 KRW
SeaLaLa Waterpark and Jimjilbang
Basic Rates: 8,000 – 10,000 KRW for the spa
Spa Land Centum City
Basic Rates: 15,000 – 18,000 KRW
Check-In At The Front Desk
The first thing you need to do when visiting a Korean spa is to check-in at the front desk. There are two usual ways to do this. First is to go directly to the front desk, talk to the receptionist and check-in. The second one involves an entry ticket vending machine right in front of the establishment. Get your ticket and present it at the front desk.
Once you’ve checked in, the person at the front desk will give you a wristband, the keys for your lockers, spa outfits you can change into, and a clean towel for you to use. Leave your footwear inside one of the lockers in the shoe locker area, and then head on over to your designated changing room area.
Change Or Strip Down
Whether you plan on lounging around or heading over to the baths, you must head to the changing room after checking in. There, you’ll find lockers where you can leave your valuables. If you plan on immediately going to the baths, strip down and leave your clothes inside the locker. However, you can also opt to lounge around the common room first. If you plan on doing this, change into the comfortable spa clothes that the jimjilbang provided.
Try Out The Different Baths And Saunas
The main attraction of a Korean spa is its baths. As mentioned before, when going to a Korean nude bathhouse, you can usually find many different baths, some of them are medicinal baths, containing water in varying temperatures. Many of which are within the 38°C – 42°C range.
Before you try out the baths, though, make sure to wash thoroughly first. You must be clean before joining any communal baths. Usually, the establishments provide the soaps and shampoo you need, but many also allow their patrons to bring their own. The practice of washing up before heading to the baths is a common courtesy practiced in all Korean spas.
After washing up wrap your hair with your towel and try out one of the baths and unwind. You can try out different bathtubs during your time there to see what most relaxes you. We recommend alternating between hot and cooler ones so that you can avoid getting dizzy while you’re there.
If saunas are more your thing, the idea of a sauna in a Korean spa is similar to what you’ll usually think of in the spa world. However, you’ll get to choose which type of sauna you want to stay in, which temperature and what theme.
While in a bath or in a sauna, always remember to know your limits. Hot and even scalding temperatures can affect you greatly, so don’t stay for too long at a time. Also, remember to drink water and keep hydrated all the time.
4.
Try Out A Korean Spa's Body Scrub And Massage Services
After soaking in the baths, you can opt for a Korean body scrub. Many Korean spas have designated areas where you can lie on a table while an attendant scrubs and exfoliates your skin with rough brushes or cloth.
When you get a Korean scrub, expect to shed like a snake. The primary reason is to remove dead skin cells. After your scrub, your skin will feel smoother and look clearer.
Apart from a scrub, many Seoul spas also offer therapeutic massages, such as hot stone and oil massages. Go to the massage area, talk to a therapist, and get on the table.
5.
Hang Out And Rest
Once you’re done with the baths, scrubs, saunas, and massages, change back into your spa outfit and take advantage of the common room and sleeping areas. There’s a wide array of activities you can do in the common room as Korean spas provide amenities for you and your companions to have fun.
Want to play some games? Head on over to the arcade or the PC Bang. Usually, there’s also a TV room where you can watch a movie or your favorite K-Dramas. If you want to sing, there are also karaoke rooms you can use. You can also get some awesome Korean food and drinks while in the common room. Try getting Sikhye, a sweet drink made from rice that you can usually get at a Korean spa.
If you plan to stay overnight, you can go rest at the spa’s sleeping hall. Traditional sleeping halls are usually just an open area where you’ll sleep on mats on the floor. However, there are more modern spas offering sleeping capsules where you can catch some Zs.
6.
Time To Check Out Of The Korean Spa
Once you’ve done everything you wanted to do, it’s time to check out. Change back into your own clothes and empty your lockers. Leave your used spa outfits and towels in the designated bins and head on over to the front desk. There, return your locker keys and wristband, and pay your tab. Done? Then you’re ready to leave.
Korean Spa Recommendations
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©Official Photo of Siloam Bulgama Sauna Spa[/caption]
Siloam Bulgama Sauna Spa
Location: 49, Jungnim-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
Basic Rates: 9,000 – 17,000 KRW ( $8.2-15.5)
Reasons to Visit: It’s a traditional jimjilbang that provides patrons with the best Korean spa experience.
The Spa In Garden 5
Location: 10, Chungmin-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea 138-962
Basic Rates: 8,000 – 12, 000 KRW ($7.3-11)
Reasons to Visit: An affordable jimjilbang with upscale amenities, The Spa in Garden 5 also offers a wide and diverse menu of medicinal baths, saunas, and treatments you can try out.
SeaLaLa Waterpark and Jimjilbang
Location: 164 Mullae-ro Yeongdeungpo-gu Seoul (B2)
Basic Rates: 8,000 – 10,000 KRW ( $7.3-9.5) for the spa
Reasons to Visit: It doubles as a waterpark where all members of the family, young and old, can have fun.
Spa Land Centum City
Location: 35 Centumnam-daero, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
Basic Rates: 15,000 – 18,000 KRW ( $12.50-15.20)
Reasons to Visit: One of the most modern jimjilbang and it opens from 6 AM onwards and all the way to 12 AM.
Experience Another Type Of Cultural Immersion In A Korean Spa
Tourists like you are often interested in the culture of the country you’re visiting. If you’re visiting South Korea, you’d want to know how everyone lived or is living their lives in that area. Of course, the usual way to get to know another country’s culture is through their food, learning about traditions and history.
However, finding out how the locals spend time to relax and experiencing it yourself is another great way to get to know a culture. Korean spas give you that opportunity. When you visit one, you get to know more about the locals, all while spending some time to unwind. So, on your next trip to South Korea, take some time to relax and pamper yourself by visiting a Korean Spa.
