If you’ve watched Korean dramas or reality shows, you’ll be familiar with Korean jimjilbangs.
They’re where family members sometimes share heartwarming moments, anguished teenagers escape to stay the night, and fun-loving friends crack hard-boiled eggs on one another’s foreheads for a good laugh.
Korean jimjilbangs are traditional bathhouses that are furnished with baths and saunas, and they’re where locals, young and old, go to unwind and reap a bevvy of health plus beauty benefits.
Translating literally to “heated room”, it follows that Korean jimjilbangs have pools that are heated to a variety of temperatures, from warm to hot, and saunas too.
Since these public bathhouses are where locals and visitors alike go to, well, bathe, you’re not allowed to wear anything in the baths but your birthday suit – not a problem as these baths are segregated by gender.
If the stripping down rule surprises you, we’ll let you in on a secret: there are lots more unspoken codes for when you visit a jimjilbang in Korea.
To help you really relax and enjoy (rather than feel awkward and embarrassed at) your first Korean jimjilbang visit, we’re sharing what you need to know.
Keep reading, because we also share the best Korean jimjilbangs to look out for when you’re planning a holiday to Seoul, Busan, or Incheon in South Korea!
What Is a Korean Jimjilbang?
A traditional Korean jimjilbang (짐질방) visit involves a trip to the bath, where you’ll soak for about 20 minutes, and the sauna, where you’ll lie down on heated stones as your body relaxes and detoxifies.
One activity that’s central to Korean jimjilbangs is exfoliation. The hot water softens the skin so that dead skin cells can be sloughed away easily, so you shouldn’t be surprised to find locals scrubbing at their skin with mitts or towels inside the bathhouse.
@hoonkorean 3 Things You Can Do In Korean JJIM JIL BANG
If you’re daring enough, you can even ask for a deep scrub and let the jimjilbang staff exfoliate you from head to toe, as you lie naked on the treatment table. Your skin will be so smooth and radiant after that you might deem the discomfort all worth it.
There are also communal sleeping rooms where people can take a nap during the day or even stay overnight. Since Korean jimjilbangs are affordable and open for 24 hours, they’re common places for visitors to “crash” just to tide through the night.
While a jimjilbang used to be a place that locals visited only for the baths and saunas, the modern bathhouses now include a plethora of facilities including outdoor pools, nail salons, and restaurants.
What to Take Note of at a Korean Jimjilbang?
Hurshimchung Spa. Photo source: Klook
Even though you should be stripped down completely when entering the baths, you’ll lounge in a T-shirt and shorts at the saunas or in the other communal areas.
The jimjilbang will provide you with the attire you need when you collect your towel and keys to your locker after paying the admission fee. You should also note that shoes are not allowed in a Korean jimjilbang.
@onlykairo Once you get past the nakedness it’s actually pretty cool! #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #korea #korean #studykorean #learnontiktok #kdrama
One important thing to note when you’re at a jimjilbang is to wash up before entering the baths. There are washing stations and soap is often provided, but it’s best to bring your own just in case.
You’ll also hardly find other toiletries like shampoo or conditioner, so pack your own if you’re planning on washing your hair too. If you don’t want to wash your hair, you don’t have to. However, you should tie your loose hair up into a bun instead of letting it trail in the bath water.
Korean Jimjilbangs to Visit in South Korea
Insadong Spa & Sauna
Credits: @Relax808650/TripAdvisor
This is the Korean jimjilbang to visit if you want to have an authentic experience because it is modelled after traditional Korean jimjilbangs that you’d see in K-drama scenes and has a high 4.6 out of 5 stars rating on Google with over 120 reviews.
The room is also heated with a unique yellow archer stone and pine trees, and it has its own chimney system, so it does not smell like smoke.
Aside from the warm saunas, their traditional body scrub is a must-try while visiting Korean jimjilbangs.
The entry fee to Insadong Spa & Sauna is KRW8,000 to KRW11,000 (~S$8.04 to S$11.05) at the time of writing.
SPA LAND Centum City
Photo source: KKday
A luxurious Korean jimjilbang located within Shinsegae Centum City in Busan, Spa Land is a two-storey spa that’s furnished with 22 baths and 13 uniquely-themed saunas.
There’s an outdoor hot spring that’s lined with rocks and under soft sunlight so that you’ll feel like you’re relaxing in nature, and, for saunas, you’ll find a Pyramid Room, Hard Wood Charcoal Room, and Wave-Dream Room, just to name a few.
Since it’s not your typical cosy Korean jimjilbang, you’ll be in for the ultimate spa day treat. Even block out an entire day to spend at this decadent jimjilbang, because there’s a restaurant, cafe, and snack bar for when you’re feeling peckish.
Book a ticket to Spa Land for S$22.03 at KKday.
Traditional Oriental Forest Land (Supsok Hanbang Land)
Photo source: The Korea Times
Nestled at the foot of Ansan Mountain in Seoul, the Traditional Oriental Forest Land is a Korean jimjilbang that’s away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You’ll have to walk through the natural forest (just a little) to get to this traditional jimjilbang.
What sets this spa apart is that it’s one of the last Korean jimjilbang to be heated by a charcoal-fired kiln. It’s said that charcoal-generated heat has more healing benefits than modern electrical heating.
The entry fee is KRW10,000 to KRW11,000 (approximately S$10.05 to S$11.05).
Damyang Hot-spring
Credits: Korea Tourism Organisation
The Jeonnam Damyang Resort Hot Spring Sauna is another great Korean Jimjilbang for families to visit in Korea because it is large and spacious.
This Korean jimjilbang is a relaxing haven, with up to 13 different hot spring baths of varying temperatures to wash away your worries while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
You’ll be filling your stomach with delectable treats around the cafes and restaurants on the premises, making it a must-visit when you’re in Seoul!
The entry fee to Insadong Spa and Sauna is KRW10,000 (~S$10.05) at the time of writing.
Paradise Hotel Spa Cimer
Credits: Klook
Paradise Hotel Spa Cimer is a Korean spa in Paradise City, Incheon, that has a modern Jjimjil Spa Zone.
There you can enjoy a variety of Korean jimjilbang-style hot baths, including a hot stone foot spa, as well as saunas, such as a salt room. Since this is a modern jimjilbang, you can also find other entertainment facilities like outdoor pools, an indoor infinity pool, and a cave spa too.
Not where we’d go for a traditional jimjilbang experience, Paradise Hotel Spa Cimer is the place to visit if you’re looking to really have fun whilst enjoying just a taste of Korean jimjilbang.
Book a Paradise Hotel Spa Cimer Experience for S$37.56 on KKday.
Spa Lei
Popular for great restaurants and cafés, Sinsa-dong is also home to one of the more unique Korean jimjilbangs in Seoul: Spa Lei.
Spa Lei is a luxurious women-only Korean spa that has a menu of pampering treatments including scrubs, herbal beauty baths, and full-body massages. It’s even equipped with diet rooms, a jewellery store, and – you’d be surprised – a lingerie shop too!
The ultimate pampering destination for women, Spa Lei is where many of Seoul’s urbanite population go to rest and recuperate after a long work week.
The entry fee to Spa Lei is KRW19,000 (approximately S$19.09) at the time of writing.
Sinbuk Spa Resort
Credits: Korea Tourism Organisation
Sinbuk Spa Resort is well-known for its hot springs containing sodium bicarbonate, making it one of the best Korean jimjilbang to visit while in Korea.
Its water, which comes from 600 metres below ground, has anti-aging properties, which is why some visitors choose to go there every day after their intense shopping sprees in Korea!
This Korean jimjilbang is suitable for people of all ages and families can easily spend a relaxing day there with various amenities available, including an open-air bath!
The entry fee to Sinbuk Spa Resort is KRW10,000 to KRW40,000 (~S$10.05 to S$40.20) at the time of writing.
Songdo Haesupia
Photo source: Tripadvisor
This traditional Korean jimjilbang might be located at the heart of the city in Busan, but you’ll still get to enjoy the most wonderful view of the natural river as you lounge within the spa!
When you’re dressed in the comfy T-shirt and shorts provided by the jimjilbang and laying down in the communal lounge area, you’ll have a floor-to-ceiling view of the tranquil waters outside.
Songdo Haesupia also has what every Korean jimjilbang should: heated baths and saunas for you to relax, boost your blood circulation, and detoxify – in complete Korean style.
The entry fee to Songdo Haesupia is KRW10,000 to KRW12,000 (approximately S$10.05 to S$12.06) at the time of writing.
Hurshimchung Spa
Photo source: Klook
Another spa that lets you enjoy a taste of a Korean jimjilbang but with a luxurious, modern twist, Hurshimchung Spa is home to over 40 different baths with unique themes too.
You’ll find a Longevity Bath that sits underneath a dome ceiling, which allows for natural light to stream through. There is also the Cave Bath, Sitz Bath, and other outdoor baths for you to soak in.
Of course, the modern Korean jimjilbang doesn’t leave out sauna rooms, also designed with different themes. There’s the Yellow Orchid Room, Gem Room, and Aromatherapy Room, to name a few.
Book a ticket to Hurshimchung Spa for S$12.62 on KKday.
Hwanggeum Sauna
Credits: Klook
Hwanggeum Sauna is one of Myeongdong’s few remaining traditional Korean jimjilbang, and it offers spa packages for the ultimate pampering experience after a long day of shopping.
You can choose from four spa packages: Basic Sauna, Chocolate, Pearl, and Collagen, each of which targets different areas of your skin to help you achieve the radiant glow that Koreans are known for.
All you have to do is simply lay down while the attendants work their magic, and we can see why it’s so popular with Japanese visitors, as evidenced by the Japanese signatures displayed at the reception counter!
The entry fee to Hwanggeum Sauna is KRW12,000 to KRW20,000 (~S$12.06 to S$20.10) at the time of writing.
Riverside Spa Land
Credits: @ispaland/tripadvisor
Riverside Spa Land is one of the most accessible Korean jimjilbangs in Seoul, conveniently located near Dongseoul Bus Terminal and Gangbyeon Station.
They have a sulphur spa rich in germanium, an igloo area, and a silver pyramid room, and the fun doesn’t stop there! A computer lab, a fitness centre, karaoke rooms, a nail salon, and an on-site restaurant are also available.
You can spend the entire day at this Korean jimjilbang as it’s the ultimate one-stop destination with all the facilities you could think of.
The entry fee to Insadong Spa and Sauna is KRW9,000 (~S$9.04) at the time of writing.
Sparex Good Morning City
Credits: @piousfaith/TripAdvisor
The highlight of this Korean jimjilbang is its architectural resemblance to a traditional Korean village, which creates a communal vibe the moment you enter.
It is geared towards families, with an outdoor pool for kids and indoor spas for adults to detox and unwind. The facility also has a camping area where families can eat and spend quality time together in literal tents.
The “Cypress Forest Park” is a must visit as it’s made entirely of cypress wood, which is known for its relaxing properties and natural aromatherapy, making Sparex Good Morning City one of the most unique Korean jimjilbang to visit.
The entry fee to Sparex Good Morning City is KRW8,000 to KRW11,000 (~S$8.04 to S$11.05) at the time of writing.
Related read:
