| The increasing concern over health and beauty has even influenced the
tourism industry. In Korea there are many popular health venues such as
sweat-rooms (jjimjilbang and hanjeungmak), and beauty treatments like massage,
nail care and hair removal. The sweat-rooms and massage centers are great for
relaxation, while the beauty treatments such as nail care and waxing attracts
many women. |
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| Sweat It Out! |
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Jjimjilbang and Hanjeungmak
Jjimjilbang and hanjeungmak are two types of
Korean sweat-rooms that are leading health tourism. They are the most popular
because you can experience them only in Korea. Both work on the same
principle-they make you sweat in warm rooms. The temperature and the room
conditions differ according to the diverse materials used for treatment.
The
most popular places are the jjimjilbang. These rooms have a hot jade or stone
floor where one can relax and sweat. Jjimjilbang are especially favoured by
stressed office workers, housewives and travelers. There are various types of
jjimjilbang rooms according to the materials in the rooms: ocher, charcoal, jade
and elvan. Jjimjilbang uses thermo-therapy causing the body to sweat, excreting
wastes and toxins, increasing metabolism and relaxing the body. Jjimjilbang is
relatively inexpensive compared to other treatments, costing about 10,000 won.
Also, you can get a good night's sleep too because they are usually open
overnight.
The hanjeungmak is just as popular as the jjimjilbang. Also based
on thermo-therapy, the room is made of heated stone domes. The temperature is
much hotter than jjimjilbang, which makes the treatment more invigorating. To
attain maximum treatment at a hanjeungmak, avoid staying in the room for too
long: about ten minutes each time you enter the room is best. |
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Jjimjilbang and hanjeungmak are gaining
popularity among young people and has become a favoured destination for dates.
These places also have cafeterias, snack bars, massage rooms, and rest areas-it
is a place for rest and entertainment. Open 24 hours a day, some office workers
even head over after work to unravel (bathe, eat, and sleep), heading back to
work directly from the jjimjilbang in the morning. You do not need to bring
anything because white shorts and t-shirts are provided. |
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Massage
Massages are popular among female tourists.
There are various types of massages according to body part from the facial area
to the whole body. Facial and body massages are good for beauty care and foot
massages are excellent for relaxation. Foot massages are the most popular these
days. A foot massage might be just the thing for you to relax your tired body
after a long day of sightseeing. You can easily find massage centers in every
famous tourist areas such as Myeongdong, Itaewon, and Apgujeong. Also there are
massage shops inside several major department stores and shopping malls.
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Nail Art and Hair Removal
Nail art and hair removal
are latecomers to beauty tours. Treatment with polishing, painting or using
artificial nails is popular to the young generation who color their nails to
match their personalities. Hair removal is to eliminate any excess hair you feel
you don't need. This is popular in the summer when many people wear sleeveless
clothes and shorts. Along with the development of medicine, perpetual hair
removal is also becoming popular. These shops are easily found in department
stores, shopping malls and tourist areas. |
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| *To find health and beauty facilities, please refer to the business
list on our T2K Directory. |
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