valley cold compresses are a traditional natural remedy to beat the sweltering Korean summer. experience the natural air conditioning effect by soaking in the cold water of a valley!
hello, everyone! Korean summers can be really hot and humid, especially if you’re from out of the country. but don’t worry, there are many wonderful places in Korea where nature provides natural air conditioning
today, we’re going to introduce you to **5 outdoor valley cold compress spots in Korea** that will cool your body and mind in the summer heat. Experience the natural cooling system created by the cold water of the valley and the lush forests! 🌿💧
📋 Table of Contents
1. what is a Korean summer valley cold compress? The appeal of traditional valley therapy
summers in South Korea are known for their sweltering heat, with average temperatures reaching **25-30°C** and humidity reaching **70-80%**. but Koreans have been living with nature for thousands of years and have learned to beat the heat
**Valley Cooling is one of them, a traditional way of cooling off that takes advantage of the natural air conditioning effect created by the cold water and dense forests of deep mountain valleys. valley temperatures are typically **5-10°C** cooler than the surrounding area, creating a natural cooling effect
💡 Health benefits of cold compresses
- regulates body temperature: the natural drop in body temperature prevents heat stroke
- improves circulation: cold water helps to constrict and relax blood vessels
- relieves stress: natural negative ions improve mental health
- enhanceimmunity: Increase body resistance by adapting to temperature changes
2. yongso Valley – Korea’s best summer cold compress spot – Gangwon-do’s top valley
🐉 The mysterious valley where the legendary dragon lived
**Yongso Valley is one of the best summer cold compress spots in Korea, located in Inje-gun, Gangwon-do. It is characterized by a deep blue pool that is legendarily said to have been inhabited by a dragon, hence the name ‘Yongso’
the water temperature here stays at **15-18°C** even in summer, acting as a natural refrigerator. In particular, the water flowing down from Yongso Waterfall is like a natural shower, instantly cooling your body in the heat
| information item | details |
|---|---|
| location | yongdae-ri, Buk-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do |
| access | 2.5 hours by car from Seoul, 1 hour from Chuncheon |
| water Temp | 15-18°C (summer) |
| recommended Season | june-September (Summer) |
🌟 Why we recommend Yongso Valley
why it’s perfect for foreign tourists: It’s a day trip from Seoul, and the pensions and cafes around the valley are well-equipped with amenities. It’s especially popular as an Instagram photo spot!
3. seonyugugok Valley Summer Cold Compress Experience – 9 off the beaten path in Jeollabuk-do
🧚♀️ Nine secret spots where Seonyeo used to play
**Seonyu Valley is a valley located in Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, and is named after the legend that a fairy goddess used to play there. It consists of a total of nine valleys, each with its own charm
the most famous ones are Gyeongcheonwol (No. 1) and Seonyudam (No. 2), where the water is deep and maintains a temperature of 16-19°C, acting as natural swimming pools. the sound of clear water flowing through the rocks is the best **healing sound** nature has to offer
| information Item | details |
|---|---|
| location | samin-ri, Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do |
| access | 1 hour drive from Gwangju, 1 hour 30 minutes from Jeonju |
| water Temp | 16-19°C (summer) |
| entrance Fee | adult 3,000 won, Youth 2,000 won |
🚌 Using public transportation
jeonju Station → Gochang Intercity Bus Terminal (1 hour) → Village bus or taxi (20 minutes)
🚗 By car
seohaean Expressway → Gochang IC → National Route 22 → Seonyugugok Parking Lot
| gugok Number | name | characteristic | depth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 tune | thunderwall | sky-high cliffs | 2 meters |
| 2 songs | seonyudam | a deep cow where a fairy bathed | 3m |
| 3 songs | okryudong | a stream of jade-clear water | 1.5m |
🌟 Reasons to visit Seonyugugok
explore the 9 Gugoks: You can enjoy trekking and cold therapy at the same time by going around the 9 cows in sequence, each with its own charm. In particular, Seonyudam, the second cow cave, is a popular diving spot due to its deep water depth, and the surrounding Gochang tidal flats are designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve!
4. cheonggyesan Valley Cold Compress – Best Accessible in Seoul Suburbs
🏙️ Natural air conditioning in the city center
cheonggyesan Valley is one of the most accessible cold compress spots near Seoul, especially for expats. it’s a 20-minute bus ride from Seonbawi Station on Subway Line 4
despite its proximity to the city center, the water temperature stays at **16-20°C**, making it a great place to cool off after a tropical night in the summer. there are **traditional Korean pavilions** around the valley, so there’s plenty of space to relax
| information Item | details |
|---|---|
| location | galhyeon-dong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do (bordering Seocho-gu, Seoul) |
| access | 40 minutes by subway + bus from downtown Seoul |
| water Temp | 16-20°C (Summer) |
| opening Hours | open 24 hours (no night lighting) |
| parking Fee | 2,000 KRW/day (3,000 KRW on weekends) |
🚇 By public transportation
option 1: Subway Line 4 Seonbawi Station → Exit 2 → Take Village Bus No. 02 → Get off at Cheonggyesan Entrance
option 2: Subway Line 4 Gwacheon Station → Exit 1 → Bus No. 7 → Get off at Cheonggyesan Canteen
🚗 By car
yangjae IC → Gwacheon direction → Cheonggyesan Road → Cheonggyesan Parking Lot (300 cars)
| section | features | water depth | recommended Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| entrance valley | family picnic area | 0.3-0.8 meters | foot soaking, water play |
| middle Valley | small waterfall and cow | 1.0-1.5m | cold bath, half bath |
| upper valley | secluded and deep cows | 2.0 m | full body cold compress, swimming |
🌟 Special features of Cheonggyesan Valley
an oasis in the city: Many foreigners are surprised to find such a pristine valley just 30 minutes from Seoul. it’s quiet on weekdays and a great opportunity to observe the **picnic culture** of Korean families on weekends, especially since you can buy traditional Korean snacks and drinks at the **stalls** around the valley!
5. cold compresses in the Wonhyo Valley of Mudongsan Mountain – Gwangju Honam’s signature attraction
🏔️ The Pearl of Honam, at the foot of Mudongsan Mountain
located in the Gwangju metropolitan area, the Wonhyo Valley at Mudongsan Mountain is one of the best summer cold compress spots in the Honam region. the legendary Wonhyo Valley, which is associated with the Great Wonhyo, boasts a spectacular scenery of rock formations and clear water
the Wonhyo Waterfall is particularly spectacular, plunging from a height of 20 meters, and the deep creek below the falls acts as a natural Jacuzzi. The water temperature stays between 14-17°C year-round, making for the coldest cold compress experience you’ll ever have
| information item | details |
|---|---|
| location | at the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain in Geumgok-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju |
| access | 30 minutes by car from downtown Gwangju |
| water Temp | 14-17°C (summer) |
| entrance Fee | free (2,000 won parking fee) |
| best time to visit | june-September, 9am-5pm |
🚌 By public transportation
option 1: Gwangju Station → Nokdong Station on Subway Line 1 → Bus No. 1187 → Get off at Mudeungsan Entrance
method 2: Gwangju Airport → Airport bus → Transfer to Gwangju Station → Same as above
🚗 By car
honam Expressway → Gwangju IC → Muudeung-ro → Wonhyo Valley Parking Lot (200 cars)
| attractions | features | water Depth | recommended Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| wonhyo Waterfall | a majestic waterfall 20 meters high | 3 meters | hitting the waterfall, meditation |
| win-Win Cow | a peaceful circular cow | 2 meters | full body bath, swimming |
| jusangjuli | rocky terrain unique to Mt | 1 meter | geological observation, Foot bath |
🎯 Unique to Wonhyo Valley
- cultural experience: Experience Korean Buddhist culture at nearby Wonhyo Temple
- geological exploration: Observe the unique Jusangjeri terrain of Mudongsan Mountain
- food culture: Enjoy Gwangju’s top 10 foods in the valley
- photography: Beautiful photo zones at sunrise and sunset
- benefits for foreigners: English guidebooks are available at the Wudengshan National Park Information Center
6. salt River Twelve Seonyeo Bath Extreme Cold Bath – Gangwon-do 12-step experience
🧚♀️ A mysterious valley where the Twelve Good Maidens are said to have bathed
the **Sogeumgang Twelve Fairy Pools**, located in Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do, is considered one of the most beautiful valleys in Korea. there are twelve large and small pools in a row, hence the name ‘Twelve Fairy Pools’
each pool has a different depth and water temperature, allowing for a **graded cold bath**. the deepest pool is 3 meters deep, with a water temperature of **12-15°C**, where you can experience the most powerful cold compress effect
| information item | details |
|---|---|
| location | gwangdeok-ri, Naesan-myeon, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do |
| access | 2 hours drive from Seoul, 1 hour from Chuncheon |
| water Temp | 12-15°C (coldest time of year) |
| entrance Fee | adult 4,000 won, Youth 2,500 won |
| opening Hours | summer 05:30-18:00, Winter 06:00-17:00 |
🚌 By public transportation
option 1: Seoul → Chuncheon (ITX-Cheongchun) → Bus to Hwacheon → Get off at Twelve Seonyeo Baths
method 2: Dong Seoul Terminal → Direct bus to Hwacheon → Transfer to a village bus
🚗 By car
jungang Expressway → Chuncheon IC → National Route 46 → Hwacheon direction → Twelve Seonyeotang parking lot (150 cars)
| name of Seonyeotang | water Depth | water temperature | recommended Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Seonyeotang | 0.5 meters | 15°C | foot soaking, Beginner |
| 6th Fairy Bath | 1.5 meters | 13°C | half-body bath, Intermediate |
| 9th Fairy Bath | 2.5 meters | 12°C | full Body Bath, Advanced |
| 12th Fairy Bath | 3.0 m | 12°C | full body cold compress, professional |
⚠️ Safety Guidelines
- caution for heart patients: Due to the very low water temperature, those with a weak heart should consult a doctor before visiting
- gradualacclimatization: start in shallow water and gradually move to deeper water
- warm-up required: stretch for at least 10 minutes before entering the water
- companion required: do not visit alone, always with at least two people
- time limit: 5-10 minutes at a time, no more than 30 minutes in total
🌟 What makes Salt River Twelve Seonyeo Bath so special
korea’s best cold compress sanctuary: A rare natural spa in the world where you can experience step-by-step cold compresses in 12 different cows. Especially famous for foreigners, it’s a place where you can experience the essence of **traditional Korean hydrotherapy**. Visit during the nearby **Hwacheon Tomato Festival** or **Sancheon Fish Festival** to experience even more Korean culture!
7. tips for visiting a Korean summer cold jjimjil – how to do it safely
🎒 What to bring checklist
- swimsuit/rashguard: for sun protection and warmth
- 2 towels: one for drying off, one for sitting on
- aquashoes: for slippery rocks
- waterproof bag: for cell phone, wallet
- snacks/drinks: for energy
⏰ Best time to visit
- 10-12 am: fewer people and fresher air
- 3-5 p.m.: Shaded and cooler
- recommended weekdays: more secluded and quieter than weekends
- avoid: Noon-2pm (strong UV rays)
💡 Special tips for foreigners
🗣️ useful Korean
– The water is cold = “Mul-i chagawoyo” (The water is cold)
– Can I swim here? = “Yeogi-seo suyeong-haedo dwaeyo?” (Can I swim here?)
– Where is the restroom? = “Hwajangsil-i eodi-e isseoyo?” (Where is the restroom?)
📱 Recommended apps
– NAVER Maps: Get accurate directions
– Weather app: Check real-time air and water temperature
– Papago: Real-time translation service
8. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What should I do if the water in the valley is too cold?
❓ Can I eat food in the valley?
❓ Are foreigners free to use Korean valleys?
❓ Are there any health problems I should be aware of when taking a cold bath in the valley?
🌿 Recommended supplements for summer health
**Vitamin C
protects skin from strong UV rays
**Electrolyte supplement
replenishes minerals lost through sweat
**Probiotics
take care of your gut health in the summer
**Omega-3s
reduce inflammation and improve circulation
**Vitamin D
replenishes deficiency during increased indoor activity
🏊♂️ Experience Korean summer cold compresses right now!
in the sweltering Korean summers, ditch the air conditioner and cool your body and mind with nature’s **natural refrigerator**
the five spots above are all **tested spots** for international visitors. make your summer memories special with a traditional Korean favorite, the valley cold jjimjigae!
📍 **Visit your nearest valley and share your experience with us in the comments!