Uljin | 울진

The small East Coast town of Uljin in the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do is a very pleasant place to spend a winter weekend. Its quaint provincial feel is as relaxing and reinvigorating as it is disarmingly charming.

The town is home to not just one, but two major spa resorts. Baekam Spa 백암온천 is Korea’s only radioactive sulfur spa. Nestled on the slopes of Mt. Baekamsan (1,004m), this spa has tons of places to stay and soak in the water, which is rich in potassium chloride, sodium hydroxide, and magnesium hydroxide and is said to be good for various nervous disorders, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, stomach disorders, and a lot of other ailments. It’s also good for soothing muscles fatigued from the daily grind.

The newer Deokgu Spa 덕구온천, on the other hand, is Korea’s only natural open-air spa. Surrounded by beautiful mountains that become a winter wonderland after a heavy snow, Deokgu Spa is the place to come to soak and enjoy the beautiful outdoors at the same time. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more relaxingly blissful way to pass a winter afternoon.

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The small port of Jukbyeon is a major center for Korea’s snow crab trade. Go in the morning to catch the daily market. Prices fluctuate, but expect to pay anywhere from 7,000 to 30,000 won per crab.

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Along the coast between Uljin and Hupo are several beautiful Korean pavilions that overlook the East Sea. The Mangyang-jeong Pavilion, a few minutes south of downtown Uljin, provides a panoramic view of the East Sea and is an outstanding spot from which to enjoy the sunrise.

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Bathe your troubles away.

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The spas are surrounded by places to stay.

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Baekam Spa: T. 054-787-7001, www.hanwharesort.co.kr/irsweb/resort2/eng
Deokgu Spa: T. 054-782-0677, www.duckku.co.kr

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Buses to Uljin depart from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (travel time: 4 hours)

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Dragon Hill Spa & Resort  | 드래곤힐스파

The Dragon Hill Spa may be Korea’s best-known jjimjilbang, or Korean spa. Essentially, it’s a seven-story relaxation center, with various hot tubs and pools, an assortment of saunas, massage rooms, a fitness center, sleeping rooms, and even a small theater. The first floor alone has a traditional Korean charcoal sauna, a traditional pine firewood sauna, a yellow earth steam room, a crystal salt sauna, a hinoki forest bath, an ice room, a spa, an outdoor pool and sauna, and more. The spa is so well known that it’s been featured in CNN and the New York Times. It’s extremely foreigner-friendly as well—a plus for those new to the Korean sauna scene.

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There’s a food court in the spa, and even bigger collection of restaurants in the nearby I’Park Mall.

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The spa is right next to I’Park Mall, one of Seoul’s best-known shopping centers.

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The sprawling Yongsan Electronics Market is a short walk away.

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Hours: 24 hours a day
Admission: 10,000—12,000 won (2,000 won discount coupon included inside of SEOUL Magazine)
T. 02-798-0114, www.dragonhillspa.com
(40-712 Hangangno-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul | 서울시 용산구 한강로동 40-712)