Travelers who have visited a South Korean sauna often say that it is one of the most fascinating experiences of their entire trip.
Korean saunas are called jjimjilbang, and they are large, health-center–like complexes where you can not only enjoy various types of saunas, but also visit cafés, use fitness rooms, watch TV, play computer games, enjoy massages, and try different beauty treatments. It is a place for relaxation, rest, and socializing. Since many jjimjilbangs are open 24 hours a day, both locals and tourists sometimes even spend the night there.
All visitors are given special clothing — a T-shirt and shorts — which must be worn in the shared areas. The bathing and washing areas for men and women, however, are separate, and in those sections people are nude.
There is no set order for activities. You can start with a snack, watch some television, relax in the lounge areas, and only then move on to the saunas. If you start to feel tired, you can simply choose a comfortable spot on the heated floor and take a nap.
A jjimjilbang is a place where families often come together, spending an entire day or, if needed, even the whole night.
Photo: https://vinwonders.com/en/
