SPAREX sweat sauna experience share Went shopping and got tired, so I tried a Korean way to relax
小惠
2 days ago
On this self-guided trip to Seoul, I stayed near Dongdaemun. My original itinerary was packed with attractions, food, and shopping. The Dongdaemun shopping district stays open very late, and many clothing wholesale markets even operate until dawn, so my feet were sore pretty much every day. Before leaving, I saw lots of people on Creatrip recommending the SPAREX jjimjilbang in Dongdaemun. It is affordable, easy to get to, and lets you experience Korea’s unique jjimjilbang culture, so I decided to set aside half a day to properly unwind.
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After arriving at SPAREX, the first thing that really impressed me was the huge floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge area. I bought a drink first, then sat by the window watching the Seoul street scene, it felt especially relaxing. When traveling, I am usually rushing from place to place, so I rarely get the chance to stop and truly enjoy the city views. Outside was a lively Seoul neighborhood, while inside was calm and laid-back, a really interesting contrast.
Sipping my drink, scrolling on my phone, and watching the crowds come and go, it felt like the whole pace of my trip slowed down.
After entering, I first went to the locker area. The staff provide a key wristband that you use to open your locker. The overall environment was much cleaner than I expected, the floors, lockers, and shared areas were all kept very tidy.
Since it was my first time at a Korean jjimjilbang, I was actually a bit nervous, worried the process would be complicated. But once I was there, I realized the layout and flow are very clear, you just follow the signs. Even if you do not know Korean, you will not run into many difficulties.
After changing into the facility clothes, I headed to the bath area first.
One of the biggest differences between Korean jjimjilbang and hot spring facilities in Taiwan is that the bathing area is usually nude. It felt a little unfamiliar at first, but once inside, I saw everyone was totally natural about it, and I gradually relaxed too.
Inside the bath area there are hot pools, a cold pool, and shower facilities. You can wash up first, then soak in the hot water to warm up. After walking all day, soaking my legs in the hot pool felt unbelievably good, it is hard to put into words.
After the bath, when your whole body is nice and warm, going to the jjimjilbang rooms feels even better.
The public lounge was one of my favorite spots.
There are lots of open relaxation areas here, some people nap lying down, some chat, and others quietly scroll on their phones. The whole place is not noisy like a tourist attraction, it feels more like everyday life.
Watching Korean families, friends, or couples spend their downtime together at a jjimjilbang made me feel even more that this is truly part of everyday life in Korea, not just something for tourists.
If your itinerary is pretty packed, I really recommend setting aside half a day to rest at a jjimjilbang. Compared to constantly rushing to attractions, sometimes slowing down is also part of the fun of traveling.
Inside, there are different types of jjimjilbang rooms, and each one has a different temperature.
I started with a lower-temperature room, then moved on to hotter rooms after I got used to it. When you first walk in, you can feel a wave of heat hit your face, but after a few minutes, once you start sweating, your body actually feels much lighter and more relaxed.
During this trip I walked over 20,000 steps every day, so my shoulders and calves had built up a lot of fatigue. After jjimjilbang, that tight, tense feeling in my muscles definitely eased up.
I cannot prove whether there is any kind of magical effect, but just the process of sweating and relaxing was already incredibly comfortable.
One of the most iconic facilities here is this traditional red clay jjimjilbang room.
From the outside, it looks like a small dome-shaped building, very characteristically Korean. Many people come to a jjimjilbang specifically to try it, and of course I did not miss it either.
Once inside the red clay room, you can feel a kind of heat that is different from typical steam rooms. The temperature is high, but it does not feel unbearable, instead it is a warmth that slowly seeps through your whole body.
Sitting inside with my eyes closed, thinking about nothing, just focusing on how my body felt, those few minutes were genuinely relaxing.
After coming out of the room and resting again in the public area, I felt like I had fully recharged.
This visit to SPAREX in Dongdaemun was originally just to experience Korean jjimjilbang culture, but it ended up becoming one of the most memorable stops of my Seoul trip.
Maybe it does not have flashy interiors, and it is not some trendy photo spot, but it let me genuinely experience a slice of everyday Korean life. Especially for independent travelers, after several consecutive days of sightseeing, setting aside time to soak, do jjimjilbang, and rest really helps both your body and your mood relax.
If you are staying near Dongdaemun like I did, or you happen to be planning a Dongdaemun shopping day, I highly recommend adding SPAREX to your itinerary. Whether you come during the day to rest, or stop by after an evening of shopping to ease your fatigue, it is a great fit.
Next time I come back to Seoul, I think I will schedule another jjimjilbang visit. Because besides exploring new sights and foods, occasionally slowing down and taking good care of yourself is also an important travel experience.
