5 Places in Busan & Jeju To Heal Your Soul & Rejuvenate Your Senses ?

By Amanda on 23 Nov 2019

Digital Editor

Amanda enjoys writing about fashion and lifestyle (even though she can't dress and has no life). She is also a self-professed cheese, mala and sparkling water lover.

Singapore is known to be a city that is always so busy, with overworked citizens who have the least amount of sleep. Yet somehow, we love to plan holidays packed with shopping trips and things to do, see and take photos. Then, we return to the office even more tired than before and hope that our next holiday will come soon - sounds familiar?

Do yourself and your body a favour and indulge in a wellness trip that will soothe and heal your tired soul while rejuvenating your senses. These five places in Busan and Jeju are perfect for a healing trip and you can always incorporate them into your South Korea itinerary while getting your shopping and sightseeing done in Seoul.

Curious to know what these places are & how they can help with your healing? Scroll on to find out more!

#1 Hanwha Resort Geoje Belvedere

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Located just an hour's drive away from Busan, Hanwha Resort Geoje Belvedere is the perfect idyllic retreat with stunning views of the sea all around the resort. Look forward to a stay where you can "refresh your body, relax your mind and reset your lifestyle" with a variety of wellness programmes that you can take up while you are there.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

The rooms in Hanhwa Resort Geoje Belvedere are always fully booked and its not difficult to see why! The rooms have an unparalleled view of the East Sea and there is a sense of peacefulness whenever you look out at the sea no matter what time of the day.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Refresh your body with some physical training at the gym and get your energy juices flowing! You can get a free body analysis done by the in-house trainers and state-of-the-art equipment to tailor the best fitness programme for yourself.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

There are also paid yoga classes (KRW 50,000 (~SGD 57.86) per pax for 1-2 people, KRW 20,000 (~SGD 23.14) per pax for 3-10 people) to relax your mind and recover from the stresses from daily life. You can also join the free morning yoga class held at 8am everyday. If you prefer something a little more active, they have a few open programmes in the summer (KRW 20,000 (~SGD 23.14) per pax) such as the aquarobics class where a trainer will guide the class to do some in-water aerobics, suitable for people of varying athletic abilities and those with heart or knee problems.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Visit Hanwha Resort Belvedere in Geoje if you want to experience a luxurious retreat where you can rest your soul and rejuvenate your senses!

? 2501-40, Geojebuk-ro, Jangmok-myeon, Geoje
? 1 hour drive from Busan Gimhae Airport
? https://www.hanwharesort.co.kr/

#2 Spa Land Centum City Busan

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If you haven't been to a jjimjilbang (traditional bath house), you have to try one in South Korea! Spa Land Centum City Busan is an urban resort-type hot spring where visitors can enjoy spa with all-natural spring water and 13 sauna rooms with different effects.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

You can feel your stress and tension release slowly as you dip in the hot spring bath, which feels especially good in winter! The quality of the water is important in a spa and Spa Land has top-notch water tapped from natural hot spring 1,000m underground that will give your skin a beautiful sheen. The hot spring water also helps to promote blood circulation and reduce body aches.

You will need to strip completely to enter the hot spring but don't worry! Even though you might feel super uncomfortable being in the nude in front of other nude people, you will find that no one will bother giving you a second look because it is the norm for them. Just relax and enjoy the hot spring!

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

After you are done soaking yourself in the hot spring bath, you can enter the sauna and hot steam room after changing out into the comfortable t-shirt and shorts they provide. Enjoy 13 distinctively themed rooms such as the usual Salt Room and Red Clay Room or their themed rooms such as the Finnish Sauna and SEV Room not found at other jjimjilbangs! Each of these rooms have different health benefits so you can relax in one that will aid with your health problems.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Make sure you eat some Korean sauna eggs and get a cup of sikhye (sweet Korean rice drink) while you are there to fill your bellies and hydrate yourself. Spa Land allows you to charge payment into the bracelet you are given as locker keys so you don't have to bring money around the compound!

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

If you are looking for a short relaxing time that will help to soothe your fatigue body and mind, Spa Land in Busan is one you have to visit - especially in winter! Leave as a renewed person after soaking in the hot spring baths and sweating it out in the jjimjilbang.

? 35 Centumnam-daero, U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea
? Centum City Station Exit 12, 15 min drive from Haeundae Beach
⏰ 06:00 - 24:00
? Adults: KRW 15,000 (~SGD 17.35) on weekdays, KRW 18,000 (~SGD 20.82) on weekends/holidays for 4 hours, additional discounts for early morning/late night and students.
? Spa Land Centum City Busan (Korean only)

#3 Chuidasun Resort Tea & Meditation

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If you love the serenity of the sea and fresh, crisp air, Jeju should be your next destination. Chuidasun Resort Tea & Meditation in Jeju is the place to visit if you are in need of a healing trip. The resort only has 17 rooms and each room has a perfect view of the sea.

Photo from @chuidasun_jeju (via Instagram)

The one-year-old resort believes in Jeju's healing potential and after a night at Chuidasun Resort, we believe it really does what it claims! Each room has a tea set and locally produced Jeju green tea for you to enjoy and although the rooms have no television, what is better than the view of the sea outside?

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

You can also enjoy a Korean tea ceremony session free of charge with your stay and savour locally-produced tea prepared by the teacher. You will also get to prepare the tea yourself with the guidance of the teacher. If you are worried about the language barrier, the teacher speaks perfect English and can answer all your burning queries.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Also included in the stay is a free of charge active meditation programme that is held every morning in the resort in a large room overlooking a grassland. The active meditation programme, as its name suggests, will allow you to walk around the room, adjusting your breath and thoughts according to the teacher's instructions. You will leave the room rejuvenated and with your mind at peace after the programme.

Enjoy views like this from your room and wake up healed and refreshed whenever you look out into the sea. We cannot recommend Chuidasun Resort more for your stay in Jeju if you are looking for a getaway to somewhere with a slower pace and crisper air.

?2688, Haemajihaean-ro, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju Island 63639 South Korea
? 1 hour 10 minutes drive from Jeju International Airport
? http://www.chuidasun.com (Korean Only)
Instagram: @chuidasun_jeju

#4 Jeju Herb Dongsan (Jeju Herb Garden)

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

[Video of Jeju Herb Dongsan heart-shaped lights]

Jeju Herb Dongsan is a herb-themed arboretum with nearly 150 different species of herbs where visitors can visit and learn more about. They are also known for the gorgeous fairy lights sculptures scattered around the garden that light up after dark, attracting visitors to visit at night.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

While you are there, make sure you check out the Aroma Foot Spa (KRW 12,000, ~SGD 13.88) to soothe your tired feet. If your pants are too long or too tight to roll up, don't worry as they have loose ahjumma pants for you to change into. Dip your feet in the hot rose foot bath with added peppermint oil to soothe your tired legs while the rose helps with skin regeneration and anti-ageing. It feels so good after a day of walking!

Video by: Alicia Chong

You will also be directed to scrub your legs with the given rose salt scrub which will get rid of your dead skin and make your feet smooth and soft. The therapist will also apply some peppermint oil on your neck to help ease tension and spray some rosemary mist on your face to wrap up the 20-minute session.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

We had a comfortable and pleasant experience at Jeju Herb Dongsan and we strongly recommend you to head down to experience it for yourself!

?170 Donoreum-ro, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
? 1 hour drive from Jeju International Airport
⏰ 09:00 - 22:00
? Adults: KRW 12,000 (~SGD 13.88), Students(14-19) / Elders (65+): KRW 10,000 (~SGD 11.56), Children (3+): KRW 9,000 (~SGD 10.41)
? www.herbdongsan.com (Korean Only)

#5 Seogwipo Healing Forest

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As the name of the forest suggests, the Seogwipo Healing Forest is a place you have to visit if you are in Jeju for a healing session. Nature lovers will feel at home in the forest as it is one of the cleanest natural forests around with fresh air and leafy foliage. In addition, there is only a limited number of guests who are allowed in the forest everyday to keep damage from tourism to a minimum so it is a place that will really allow you to connect with nature.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Try the Charong healing lunchbox when you are here (minimum order of 10 boxes and reservations needed, 17,000 won (~SGD 19.65) per box), warmly prepared by the Jeju locals made with stir-fried shiitake mushrooms from Hallasan Mountain, Jeju-style radish-stuffed buckwheat crepes, meat and abalone skewers and more. We absolutely loved this hearty meal handmade with love from the food to the Jeju-style bamboo box.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

Did you know that you have to be in a forest for at least 3 hours to fully receive its benefits? That is why the Forest Healing programme, led by a forest instructor to maximise the effects of the forest's healing power is 3 hours long. Enjoy a variety of activities such as a foot bath, meditation programme and tea tasting to let you unburden yourself from stress and fully receive the benefits of the healing forest.

Photo from GirlStyle Singapore

If you have time to spare and want to spend some time connecting with nature, the Seogwipo Healing Forest is one that you have to visit. You will find that your body, mind and soul will be at ease after the healing trail and programme and you will be ready to tackle anything that comes your way.

? 227 Sanroknam-ro, Seogwipo, Jeju-do, South Korea
? 1 hour drive from Jeju International Airport
⏰ 09:00 - 16:00
? Entrance Fee - Adults: KRW 1,000 (~SGD 1.16), Students: KRW 600 (~SGD 0.69); Forest Healing Programme - Adults: KRW 20,000 (~SGD 23.12), Students: KRW 10,000 (~SGD 11.56)
☎️ +82 64 76030678 (Foreigners have to call to make reservation for the Charong Box & Forest Healing Programme)
? Seogwipo Healing Forest Programme (Korean only)

Bonus: Haeundae Beach

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There is something about the beach and the sea that calms you down. Haeundae Beach is Busan's most famous beach and not without reason. Looking into the horizon and listening to the waves helps you to heal your soul and let you feel at peace, making it a must-go on our list of healing places to visit.

? Haeundae Beach
? 30 minutes drive from Busan Station, 1 hour drive from Gimhae International Airport

If you are in need of a trip to somewhere when you can truly relax, South Korea is your destination. Head to Busan and Jeju for a healing experience like no other. For more information on wellness destinations in Korea, you can refer to Korea Tourism Organization's website.