Korean sauna (Jjimjilbang)
Jjimjil (steam) bang (room) is a Korean style sauna where you can relax on the massage chairs and sauna in different efficacy steam rooms, enjoy bath and Jacuzzi.
Scrubbing is the highlight at the bathhouse. Koreans usually use a scrub towel to help each other to scrub out the dead skins which is part of their culture as well.
Going to Jimjilbang is part of the Korean culture especially at night and during weekends, most of them open 24 hours and unlike other Thai or Western spa, Jimjilbang is affordable and you can stay for long hours.
Price range: ₩6000-14,000 (£3.40-£7.90) depending on the time, day and types of bathhouses
Jimjilbang
5 Things to Do at Jimjilbang
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Spend a day visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, Samcheong-dong and Bukchon Hanok Village
If you wish to visit cultural attractions in Korea, I recommend this itinerary
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace → 2. Samcheong-dong
→ 3. Bukchon Hanok Village
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first royal palace built in the Joseon Dynasty (Visit Seoul, 2014). Gyeongbokgung provides a glimpse into Joseon’s royal culture and architecture. The National Folk Museum of Korea and the National Palace Museum are also located on the palace grounds, where visitors can learn about traditional Korean culture and explore the life of the royal family of the Joseon Dynasty.
Admission: Adult ₩3000 (£1.70) Youth (7-18) ₩1500 (£0.85)
Changing of the Royal Guard Ceremony
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After visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, I recommend having Samgye-tang (ginseng chicken soup) for lunch at Tosokchon Samgyetang which is 10 minutes walk from Gyeogbokgung Palace.
Samgye-tang
Haemul Pajeon (green onion pancake with seafood)
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2. Samcheong- dong
After lunch, walking through Samcheong-dong heading to Bukchon Hanok Village is the most perfect route.
Samcheong-dong is a unique place in Seoul where you can’t find any shopping malls but full of modern local designers’ boutiques, small distinctive restaurants and cafés operating in traditional architecture at this area.
A combinition of modern and traditional architecture in Samcheong-dong street
Starbucks in a modern building next to a traditional architecture
Street art creates a more chic atmosphere in Samcheong-dong
Boutiques in Samcheong-dong
Boutiques in Samcheong-dong
There is a “5 Dollar” shop in Samcheong-dong where all cloths and accessories are in good quality and starting at ₩500 (£0.30), skirts go for 5900 won (£3.50), pretty earrings at ₩3,900 won (£2.27) and bracelets around ₩5,900 (£3.30).It is a good place to shop for souvenirs and searching for unique accessories and they are all made in Korea with a good price.
5 dollar shop at Samcheong-dong
A good place to search for sourvenir
Earrings in a reasonable price
Cute socks perfect for souvenir
3. Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon refers to the old capital city where the aristocratic classes and the royal family lived during the Joseon Dynasty (Seoul Metropolitan Government, 2015). This is a traditional Korean houses village, the area preserved to show off the 600 year old urban environment with over 900 Hanoks and it is still a residential area. It is a must visit place in Seoul.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village
Roof of Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village
Korean Food
There are numerous of mouth watering and unique food in Korea, click on the videos below to have an idea of what you will expect to eat in Korea.
Introduce the TOP 5 Korean food
What can you eat in Korea