Winter Spa... `Hot pleasure`

Season of spa, winter has come. People who consider spa as public bathroom are now behind of times. World is getting changed, spa is also not excluded. There is Water Park and Notenburo (open style of spa), which is famous in Japan. On the west coast high way on Saturday, there is less traffic on it, comparing with Sunday, especially morning.

Destination is Byunsan bay at Buan-gun, Geonbuk. It is good for one day Journey as it takes three and half hours till Buan IC(250.6㎞). There are many things to enjoy at Byunsan. Drive following coast road, walking through forest at temple Naeso, breakwater and lighthouse which comprises of raw fish restaurant, sunset on the river and trekking in Jikso waterfall, etc.

● Spa

There are four spas near West Coast high way.

From North to South, Asanspavis, Asanspa, Byunsan spa, and Sukjeong spa.

● Asanspavis (www.spavis.co.kr) = Spa like four season water park that opens outdoor pool in winter. Its good thing is Bade Pool (treatment room) that is coor house style of German Baden Baden, which was the first water treatment. In 20m diameters round bathroom, there are various water pressure massage facilities which uses only spa water. Health guide provides Bade Pool program (back pain, inflammation of a joint, fatness course) to people. And swimming pool, Jakuji, event bathroom are outside. There is indoor Sauna as well as food Court. It provides Shuttle bus from Seoul (www.spavis.net). 041-539-2000 △how to visit = West Pyeongtaek IC ∼ 39 read ∼ Asan bay sea wall ∼ Injung junction ∼ Asan spa district

● Asan spa = There is the most beautiful Notenburo in nation. The best Netenburo is Hinoki room that Japanese engineers built by Japanese wood. Hinoki room is the last order of spa bathing and dries body without towel. It has housing system (Asan leisure hotel), too. 041-541-5526 △ how to visit = same as Asanspavis.

● Byunsan spa = It is like general public bathroom, however, water quality is very good. People can recognize significant change in their skin. If you start from Buan at 8:00 P.M, there would be no traffic Jam for Seoul, even on a holiday. 063-582-5390 △ how to visit = Buan IC ∼ 30 road ∼ Buan ∼ Byunsan bay

● Sukjeong spa = Germanium bathroom. Go to Buan IC in order to via Byunsan bay. Course is Chaesuk river ∼ Gyeokpo harbor ∼ temple Naeso ∼ temple Seonun ∼ Gochangeub. 063-564-4441 △how to visit = Gochang IC ∼ Gochangeub ∼ 3㎞

● Let`s go together

Travel for health and taste with open spa. △Course = Seoul ∼ SeoSan MaeSamjon Buddhist statue ∼ Seoul △Restaurant = Byunsanbay Bajirak Soup ① island Gyewha Oyster, flatfish, raw fish & fish soup ② Asan galbi soup ③ temple Suduk Sanchae jeongsik. Start on 19th, 22nd. 128,000 won (four/one room). SeungWoo tour (www.swtour.co.kr) 02-720-8311

summer@donga.com