The traditional bathhouses are an important part of Korean culture. Locals come to the jjimjilbang to relax, hang out and engage in a whole host of health and beauty rituals.
Young couples and grandmas are attracted to a Korean bathhouse. It would be normal for a group of friends to meet up at a jjimjilbang. It's a spa date and it's cheap. Smaller, neighborhood jjimjilbang is the cheapest entrance option, costing between 7000 and 20,000. The day and evening entrance rates are not always the same. There are restaurants, outdoor swimming pools, hair and nail salons, and karaoke rooms in the more elaborate joints.
A first-time visit to a spas can be intimidating for foreign travelers because of the codes of manners and customs. To experience the jjimjilbang, you should read up on towel techniques and Korean bathhouse manners.
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You'll get a new locker key, a towel, and a pair of cotton pajamas in exchange for this. If you add any services inside, the staff will note your locker key number and bill you at the end. The front desk staff can point you in the right direction. If not, it's yeo for women.
Your locker is where you'll store your clothes and anything else you're carrying, and you should have a number on your key.
The baths and sauna areas are only open to same-sex couples.
It's up to you, but most people prefer to wash up before they go. If you're going to the baths, you need to remove all your clothes and bring a small towel and toothbrush with you. Go to the saunas in the pajamas. You should have your locker key on you.
Before you get into the baths, you need to wash. Pick a faucet and grab a washing station at the same time. Most convenience stores in Korea sell single-use packets of various toiletries, and jjimjilbang sells them as well.
If you don't wash your hair, make sure to tie it up so it doesn't get wet in the bath. You should head to the tub once you are nice and clean.
The temperature will vary from 38C (100F, not too hot) to 45C (113F, pretty hot), as well as a cold tub. Most jjimjilbang have indoor soaking pools and open-air baths. Bathhouse regulars have their individual routines down to a science, but the average soaking time is 20 minutes. Keeping your heart above the water is the best way to stay in the water.
You can buy scrubbing towels and mitts at convenience stores and markets in Korea. You can get a professional scrub if you want to improve your game.
In a corner of the bathroom, there will be a few plastic tables manned by women in their underwear. You won't have smooth skin in your life. The steam from the baths loosens your skin. You can get a basic scrub for 20,000 and an oil massage for 60,000.
It's the most difficult part of being a first-timer. Koreans consider this a normal part of a jjimjilbang, and you are unlikely to be noticed by anyone else.
The towels are small, so this isn't easy, but you can use your towel to strategically cover yourself. You can keep your towel dry by wearing it on your head.
Splashing and loud talking can make you look dirty.
If you've never been to a Korean sauna, you might like these. Traditional Korean saunas are usually heated to between 50C (122F) and 90C (194F) and are very pleasant.
After about 15 to 20 minutes, the heated stone gently warms your body, and you begin to sweat. A cold, sweet sikhye is sold at jjimjilbang. Eggs that have been steamed in the saunas can be purchased.
For a few thousand won more than the entrance fee, you can spend the night in the sleeping room at many jjimjilbang. There are thin plastic mattresses and squishy plastic blocks on the floor in the sleeping room.
The sleeping rooms are similar to capsule hotels with two levels of cubbies. There are separate rooms for women and snorers in some places. The rooms are usually heated, but some have blankets that can be lent or rented.
A common room is where people congregate to watch TV, sit in massage chairs and generally hang out. The areas are not nude so make sure you wear your pajamas. Some of the jjimjilbang, such as Dragon Hill Spa, have outdoor swimming areas, hot tub and entertainment zones to keep sauna-goers busy.
If you have racked up any charges in the locker room, the front desk staff will give you a bill. You're good to go once you get your shoe locker key back. Some may allow you to stay multiple nights, but most expect you to stay no more than one night. It's possible that you want to come back.
The article was first published about three hours ago.
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