Wellness
Physical health and beauty have been important to the people of Korea throughout history. Korea offers a variety of ways to pamper yourself at spas and health resorts. The two main types of spas that are unique to Korea are mogyoktang and jjimjilbang. Both are places where bathing and relaxing become an all-day activity.
Spending the day at a Korean spa can be relaxing and therapeutic.
Jjimjilbangs resemble recreational complexes more than they do spas.
Mogyoktang are communal bath houses that can be found in many neighborhoods in Korea. Guests first shower, then they can enter the saunas and baths. Usually there are several saunas and hot baths with varying temperatures. Additionally, there are a variety of baths like cold, herbal, and even seawater baths.
After soaking in the baths, it’s typical for guests to exfoliate using roughly-textured washcloths called “Italy towels.” The name originates from the fact that they were first made from fabric imported from Italy. After the bath and body scrub, you’ll end up with noticeably smoother and softer skin.
In recent times, the mogyoktang concept has evolved into jjimjilbang. When they enter, guests first bathe like mogyoktang. But after bathing, they can enter a communal area where there are different sauna rooms. The rooms differ in temperature, humidity, and even decor. With all the choices available, you’re bound to find a room that suits you.
Korean saunas are not very humid so they’re comfortable enough to sit or lie down in for some time. After a sauna session, guests can cool off with refreshing beverages or by going into a cold room. As for other activities, there are beauty treatments, restaurants and even movie theaters. Since there are so many things to do, families and groups of friends come for an entire day or even stay overnight.
Going to jjimjilbang is a great way to spend a day but for more lavish and personalized experiences, luxurious beauty spas are more ideal. These posh establishments are focused on beauty treatments using the best products possible. Some of the most renowned spas can be found at luxury hotels and resorts.
Recently, there’s been more of a holistic movement in the Korean spa industry. At large dedicated health resorts, guests can spend days relaxing and receiving care instead of going to a day-spa for just a few hours. Besides the spa packages and health-focused restaurants, the resorts offer other services like yoga classes, skin treatments, and even dermatological procedures.