If you’re looking for a gateway into jjimjilbang culture in Korea, look no further than Aquafield Hanam. For the uninitiated, a jjimjilbang (찜질방, translated to ‘heated room’) is a Korean bathhouse where locals gather to engage in multiple wellness activities. Think soaking in hot baths, cold plunges, sauna rooms and more!
It’s a key part of Korean culture and has grown beyond its traditional roots to include modern, premium options. Here’s our guide to how to enjoy Aquafield and your jjimjilbang experience!
How To Get To Aquafield Hanam
Aquafield Hanam is part of Starfield Hanam, a megamall at the far right end of Seoul city. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Hanam Geomdansan (하남검단산) station.
You might recognise the name because its the same mall franchise in Suwon! It’s on the third floor of the mall.
Entry Fees
There are different pricing packages depending on what activities you want to do in Aquafield. For the basic sauna/spa package, it cost 25,000won per person for 6 hours. You can also opt to include a visit to their indoor waterpark.
Entry tickets can be purchased onsite or online in advance on Klook and KKDay!
Step-By-Step Guide On How To Jjimjilbang
The jjimjilbang experience begins by putting your shoes away in a numbered locker corresponding to your entry ticket.
You’ll be provided a keyfob – which is important, so keep it close! – this acts as your main access card and ‘wallet’ (more on that later).
Once your shoes are safely stored, you can head into the main entry where you’ll be given two small towels and a set of sauna attire to change into.
Aquafield Facilities
Every jjimjilbang has two main areas – the hot baths and sauna room (jjimjilbang). The hot baths are separated by gender and have dedicated locker rooms.
The sauna rooms are mixed gender and a shared public space.
Here’s a huge heads up: you need to be fully naked to enter the hot baths. It will come as a culture shock if it’s your first time but people don’t make it weird.
There are no prolonged stares or weird comments; it’s treated as something natural! So don’t be too shocked if you see this when you enter.
Obviously, no photography and videography is allowed inside so we’ll do our best to use words to describe the process.
Find your locker that corresponds to your entry ticket and change into the sauna attire. From here, you can either head directly to the hot baths or go outside to the other facilities!
The locker rooms provide the following amenities, but you are free to bring your own:
- Towels
- Hair dryer
- Combs
- Basic skincare (makeup remover, facial cleanser, moisturiser, body lotion)
- Shampoo, Soap
Hot Baths
The bath area consists of three sections: the actual baths, a shared shower area, and an area for body scrubbing (aka seshin).
A cardinal rule is to clean yourself before entering the baths. Take a shower and use the provided soap and shampoo to rinse off any dirt and dead skin. Remember to put your hair up if you have long hair.
There will also be a line of low-walled showerheads with mirrors and stools, usually populated with ahjummas. You can also shower here or give yourself a scrub with the provided exfoliation towels!
There will be a few baths of varying temperatures, ranging from hot (40°C) to ice cold (15°C) so you can rotate freely.
The hot baths encourage blood flow and might make you light-headed if you soak too long, so the recommended duration is a maximum of 20 minutes at a time. We found that 37°C is a comfortable temperature to start!
Korean Body Scrub Service
If you’re up for it, get a full body scrub or seshin. Approach the ladies in the body scrub area (usually wearing black underwear) and request a timeslot. The men’s hot bath offers the same service, just with ahjusshis instead!
There will be an additional charge of about 60,000won and each session lasts about 30 minutes.
These ladies will meticulously scrub you down with a towel. Be warned that it is not a gentle experience. They will use force to remove the dead skin in every corner of your body but we swear you will feel like a new person after!
For the best results, you should soak in the hot baths for at least 30 minutes to soften any dead skin.
Once you feel like you’ve had your fill, just leave the baths and take a final shower before changing back into your attire.
Jjimjilbang
The jjimjilbangs are a separate experience which you can visit without using the baths. They are sauna rooms, each with different temperatures and health benefits.
These help improve blood circulation, reduce stress, boost immunity, and promote good rest.
Aquafield has over 6 jjimjilbangs available ranging from a charcoal room to a salt room and even a multimedia room!
Each room usually has some type of stool or floor mats to rest on, so just pick the jjimjilbang you want and unwind.
We tried their Himalayan Salt Room and found it a comfortable temperature, especially to lay down and recharge. The heat somehow rejuvenated our bodies and lifted our mood.
Some jjimjilbangs can go up to 70°C or 80°C, so please avoid falling asleep inside for safety reasons!
Relaxation Areas
Aside from these, Aquafield has many open relaxation areas designed for you to lounge in.
Choose from an assortment of mats, massage chairs, or lounge chairs scattered around the space.
It is also filled with natural light and gentle classical music, creating a relaxing environment that puts you at ease.
The space is also kid-friendly with plenty of play areas for children, making it suitable for families too!
If you don’t fancy the noise, there’s even a dedicated Adults-only room. It’s fitted with recliner sofas and your own mini TV screen, plus a scenic mountain view.
Outdoor Foot Spa
We tried their outdoor foot spa with an incredible view of the mountains.
It was early spring when we went so it was still chilly, but the water was warm – so the sensation was super comforting.
Spa Snacks
All that soaking will make you hungry, so grab a snack from the snack counter!
You don’t pay directly at the snack stand. Instead, the price is put to your keyfob (alongside any other purchases within the sauna) and you pay one shot before you leave.
The two classic jjimjilbang snacks are Jjimjilbang Eggs (찜질방계란) and sikhye (식혜, sweet rice punch). But you can also get ramen, soft drinks and hot food like corndogs here.
They are called jjimjilbang eggs because they are slow-cooked in the sauna, giving them their signature brown colour. It has a tougher texture but a richer, almost caramelised flavour, making it a fun snack!
There’s also a full-fledged canteen with proper meals like tonkatsu and kimbap if you need something more substantial.
Finishing The Spa Experience
Once you’re done, you return to your locker room to change into your regular clothes. Return the used towels and sauna attire to the front desk, pay for your expenses on the keyfob and then put on your shoes.
With that, you’ve completed your jjimjilbang session in Aquafield!
Jjimjilbang In Korea
Aquafield Hanam offers a premium, modern version of the jjimjilbang experience, but keeps the same essence of the practice. It might be a bit foreign if it’s your first time but it’s something we will always recommend trying when you come to Korea!
For more fun things to do in Korea, check out more of our Korean content.
Aquafield Hanam
In Starfield Hanam (스타필드 하남)
경기도 하남시 미사대로 750
750 Misa-daero, Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Opening hours:
Sauna: 9am to 10pm
Waterpark: 10am to 7pm (Indoor), 11am to 6pm (Outdoor)
Nearest Subway Station: Hanam Geeomdasan Station (Line 5), Exit 1
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