Revitalizing at Damyang Spa

Photos courtesy of Damyang Spa

Damyang, well known for its bamboo-lined roads and dozens of organic restaurants, also gives Gwangju a nearby top-notch spa and resort. A day visit to the spa is a scant 8,000 won. The outdoor pool costs 13,000 won, but it’s two pools in one, with a nice deck and chairs to sunbathe in. This warm-weather outdoor pool is the very best place to swim laps in the area; it is deep enough and cool enough to swim for a long time.

But, in the cold weather, the indoor spa, with four hot Jacuzzi-laden pools on each gender’s side is even better, and only two short bus rides away. (The men and women switch sides daily at the spa, as the two experiences are different.) But is the extra effort of two bus rides worth it, considering there are many other “wet spas” in Gwangju?

As a comparison, the Cinus spa in Buk-gu, near Chonnam National University offers three pools ranging from 36 to 44 degrees Celsius, and one cold bath that a polar bear might find chilly. Only the cold bath offers a straight-down heavy blast acting as a shoulder massage. There is only one pool with Jacuzzis, and there are only two seats for Jacuzzi users, but at 39 degrees the pool is also heat therapy. They also have wet and dry saunas, and a heat-lamped area for lying down in. The locker room also offers a barber shop and shoe shine. The cost is 4,000 won, with discounts if you buy ten tickets or more.
The Damyang Spa has all of that, plus Jacuzzi jets in every bath, and a powerful plunging hot-water “waterfall jet” that can work out any shoulder or back muscles’ tightness, provided you can withstand its force. It also has a hot pool outside surrounded by bamboo, and gives bathers fresh cool air to breathe, a relief from the super-humid air inside. Damyang Spa calls these “event” pools, and the concept is fairly accurate, as each pool has a different body part targeted for Jacuzzi-massage relief.

Damyang Spa has one major health advantage to offer as well: mineral water. The spa is full of revitalizing mineral water, but not the odorous sulfur variety. Also, as mentioned, the two sides of the spa are considerably different. The same amount of saunas and baths are offered, but the atmosphere changes, both inside and out.

Between the two sides is a full-service Korean-fare restaurant, and a very small convenience store. The restaurant looks out on the outdoor pool, and thus is the site of much family activity in warm months.
For those new to public baths, be prepared to hang out in the nude. Anywhere from 20 to 250 people might be skipping from one pool to another, as the ample locker rooms in Damyang handle over 300 per side.

The spa opened July 19, 2003 according to hotel and resort manager Park Sang Jin. “Presidents Noh and Kim Dae Jung have stayed here, as well as the wife of Mr. Lee of Samsung,” Jin said. “We welcome visitors from all over the world, but Japanese and Chinese people lead the list of foreign guests.” The hotel, with luxury rooms that are western-style or Korean-style(with or without beds) opened in November 2003, and sports a gourmet restaurant.

This cheap getaway starts with a ride on regional bus 311, which stops at the U-Square bus terminal, out in front where the city busses are. The 311 bus travels north through town, also stopping at Malbau Market and many other stations before traveling on to Damyang. Once in Damyang, a bus runs every 30 minutes right to the spa. Thus, transportation plus spa fee will come to less than a 3-D movie at CGV.

Staying in the hotel is a wonderful experience, but not on everyone’s budget, as rooms range from 131,000 won to 352,000 won depending on season, size and style. The hardest thing about a day visit though, is having to leave.
Damyang also offers a Family Spa experience, which costs 80,000 won and comes with a personal TV room and stairs that directly connect to the swimming pool area. The outdoor pool also has mineral water in it, one Jacuzzi and a winding, river-shaped pool that children and adults can float in on inner tubes. It is open during good weather.

The spa is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 365 days a year. To get a complete look at the facilities you can visit www.damyangspa.com