Suanbo Hot Springs

Suanbo, south of Chungju, is a spa village where weakly alkaline water at around 53°C rises from 250 m underground. The springs have a long history: they appear in Goryeo-era records, and King Taejo, founder of the Joseon dynasty, is said to have come here to treat a skin condition. In the hot-spring quarter, designated a Special Tourist Zone in 1997, you can get a taste of a spa trip simply by soaking your feet in the free foot baths and wandering the streets.

A spring recorded for a thousand years

Suanbo first appears in the Goryeosa (History of Goryeo) under the year 1018, as a place "with a hot spring". Joseon records say King Taejo visited to treat a skin disease, and scholars and officials, including Prince Consort An Maeng-dam, King Sejong's son-in-law, are said to have stayed here often. An open-air bath was built in 1885, and modern drilling in 1929 led to separate public bathhouses and inns, giving the village its present shape. Under Japanese rule the Governor-General stayed here, and after liberation President Syngman Rhee bathed in the springs and planted a commemorative tree; later presidents also came here to rest. The Suanbo Hot Spring Festival has been held every year since 1985. Hotel bankruptcies and ageing facilities later cost Suanbo many visitors, but new foot-bath trails and a railway station are helping to change its fortunes.

The water

The spring water is weakly alkaline (around pH 8.3), colourless, odourless and tasteless, and feels silky on the skin. Unusually, Chungju City manages the water centrally and pipes the same supply to every establishment, so there is no "original bath": the water is identical wherever you go. More than 4,800 tonnes are drawn every day.

Things to do

• Foot-bath trail: open-air foot baths that anyone can use for free. Sit with your feet in the warm water and watch the stream go by.
• Multang Park: the park at the heart of the spa quarter and the main stage for events such as the Suanbo Hot Spring Festival.
• Bathing: around 20 hotels and bathhouses in the zone offer hot-spring bathing, with indoor baths, open-air baths and private family baths.
• A stroll through the village: follow the walkways and stepping stones along the stream and browse the shopping street. In spring, cherry blossoms line the spa quarter.

Tripto tips

• Foot-bath hours: March–November 12:00–20:00, December–February 12:00–17:00. Closed on Mondays, and on Mondays and Tuesdays in winter. Free of charge; bring a small towel.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for the foot baths and a walk; half a day with a proper soak and a meal.
• Getting there: Suanbo Oncheon Station on the Jungbu Inland Line opened in November 2024. By car, the Goesan and Yeonpung exits of the Jungbu Inland Expressway are close by.
• Best time: late autumn and winter are the natural season for hot springs. The foot baths close early in winter, so go in the early afternoon.
• Prices: bathhouse and hotel spa prices vary by establishment.
• Nearby: Woraksan National Park is close, so a hike plus a soak makes an easy overnight trip.
• Information: Suanbo Tourist Information Centre, +82 43-845-7829