Yuseong Hot Springs in Daejeon: The Timeless Allure of Hot Spring Water Amidst Change

The Journey of Yuseong Hot Springs, Where History and Modernity Coexist Yuseong Hot Springs boasts a long history dating back to the Three Kingdoms period, and its appearance has undergone many changes. Particularly after the Japanese colonial period, Yuseong Hot Springs began to develop in earnest and gained vitality after being designated as a domestic tourist special zone following the Daejeon Expo in 1993. Tourists flocked from Seoul and various regions, leading to a boom in hotels, restaurants, and other facilities, transforming Yuseong Hot Springs into a more glamorous destination.

source= 대전 찰칼 However, in recent years, Yuseong Hot Springs has faced challenges due to changing tourism trends. As large-scale spa lands and water parks have gained popularity, many hot springs have transformed into new forms, while Yuseong Hot Springs has experienced a decline in visitors, maintaining its traditional hot spring facilities. Notably, the iconic Libera Hotel closed in 2018, and the Yuseong Hotel also shut its doors earlier this year after 109 years, contributing to a sense of diminishing presence for Yuseong Hot Springs.

Despite this, the central establishment, Gyeryong Spatel, remains steadfast, and the foot bath facilities continue to be beloved by locals. The area where the Libera Hotel was located is undergoing transformation into a mixed-use complex, and the Yuseong Hotel is set to evolve into a city hotel with high-end spa facilities as part of Shinsegae's 'Starfield Village.' These changes signal new possibilities for Yuseong Hot Springs. In the Bongmyeong-dong area, cafes and various shops are emerging, creating a new attraction known as 'Bongridangil.' However, it is noted that finding hot spring facilities in the Yuseong Hot Springs area today is not easy. Nevertheless, hot springs still shine like gems throughout the region, with hot spring water gushing from about 200 meters underground at temperatures between 27 and 56°C, just as it has in the past.

Yuseong hot spring water is slightly alkaline, with a pH of 7.5 to 8.5, and contains more than 40 mg/L of silica (SiO2), earning it a reputation as a silica hot spring. It is rich in over 60 beneficial components and is free from heavy metals, with characteristics of radium-rich water at temperatures of 25 to 53°C and a pH of 8.89. This water is known to be effective for skin diseases, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal issues, obesity, diabetes, and gynecological conditions. Visitors to Yuseong Hot Springs consistently remark, "The water feels different after a soak." They describe a sensation of smooth skin and complete relaxation. This is because the water, which erupts from deep within the Earth, remains unchanged. The primary purpose of visiting Yuseong Hot Springs is to enjoy the hot spring water, which continues to flow hot from underground, filling the baths. No matter how much the appearance of Yuseong Hot Springs may change, the ability to enjoy the unchanging hot spring water is a significant advantage. Yuseong Hot Springs, boasting some of the best hot spring water in the country, continues to be cherished by many and is expected to maintain its allure in the future. 출처 : WalkintoKorea - Your Glocal Partner(http://www.walkintokorea.com)

The Experience of Yuseong Hot Springs Foot Bath

A Unique Blend of Nature and Urban Comfort The Yuseong Hot Springs foot bath is conveniently located in the city center, making it easily accessible to everyone. Situated in the heart of Yuseong District, which is home to the Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone and KAIST, it is a popular natural foot bath in a developed city, designated as the site of the Daejeon Expo and a special tourist destination.

Although it is located outdoors, the foot bath is covered with a clean roof and surrounded by lush trees, providing a comfortable experience regardless of the weather. The two foot baths, divided into east and west based on the main entrance of Spa Tel, each have their own unique character. The western foot bath offers a vibrant atmosphere that energizes visitors, earning it the nickname "Recovery Foot Bath." In contrast, the eastern foot bath provides a quiet and peaceful environment, making it ideal for true relaxation, and is known as the "Relax Foot Bath." After experiencing relaxation and energy at the Yuseong Hot Springs foot bath, visitors can enjoy a full hot spring bath at nearby facilities. If the foot bath can be likened to shorts, the hot spring bath is the main event. Immersing the body in the hot spring water allows visitors to truly appreciate the quality of Yuseong Hot Springs. It offers a luxurious experience of soft skin and relief from fatigue, helping to understand why Yuseong Hot Springs has been loved and recognized for over a thousand years. Even as the Yuseong area changes, Yuseong Hot Springs remains unchanged. It can be enjoyed at any time, having been cherished for over a thousand years. After enjoying relaxation and energy at the Yuseong foot bath, experiencing the true charm of Yuseong Hot Springs in its complete facilities remains a special and attractive experience.

The History and Development of Yuseong Hot Springs

From a Local Retreat to a Premier Spa Destination Yuseong Hot Springs was officially developed in 1905 with the opening of the Gyeongbu Line railway and the establishment of Daejeon Station. At that time, Kim Gap-soon, the wealthiest person in the Chungcheong region, drilled the first hot spring well to obtain hot spring water, laying the foundation for Yuseong Hot Springs to grow into the country's premier hot spring resort. After the liberation, it became a beloved retreat for politicians and business leaders. Following the Daejeon Expo in 1993, it was designated as a special tourist destination alongside Gyeongju, enjoying unique benefits.

However, Yuseong Hot Springs faced challenges in adapting to new changes and entered a period of decline. Many hot spring hotels closed, and the number of tourists decreased. Nevertheless, Yuseong District continued to invest and strive to maintain the reputation of Yuseong Hot Springs, resulting in the creation of the Yuseong Hot Springs foot bath. Located in front of the main entrance of Spa Tel, this foot bath features two outdoor foot baths, each approximately 10 meters long, allowing residents and visitors to easily enjoy the hot springs.

YuoN(유온) Discover the Perfect Blend of Work and Leisure at Yuseong Hot Springs

An Urban Oasis Offering Hot Springs, Hotels, and Scenic Trails for the Ideal Bleisure Experience

"Yuseong Hot Springs is an urban hot spring. Surrounding the hot springs, there are many hotels and various officetels and workspaces, making it a great bleisure district where you can enjoy both work and leisure. You can work, then take a hot spring bath, and walk the Hwangto Trail in the Yuseong Hot Springs area. If you visit Korea, I recommend visiting Daejeon; if you visit Daejeon, I recommend enjoying both work and leisure at Yuseong Hot Springs."

A Western-Style Press talk at Yuseong Hot Springs

Showcasing Yuseong Hot Springs to Journalists: A New Era Begins

On October 22, a press talk was held to announce the launch of Yuseong Hot Springs' new brand, 'YUON.' Hosted by the public relations firm WalkintoKorea, the event took place in front of the Yuseong Hot Springs brand popup store. Media outlets such as Good Morning Chungcheong, Joongdo Ilbo, Break News, Weekly Hyundai, and Korea Welfare News attended the gathering.

The press talk at the Yuseong Hot Springs brand popup store featured discussions on the 'Yuseong Hot Springs District Tourism Hub Creation Project' and the new brand 'YUON,' along with its new mascot, 'YUONI.' Taehyung Lee from WingWing and Youngho Lee from Josely led the presentations, explaining the project and the new brand's identity.

"The goal is to create content that appeals not only to those familiar with Yuseong but also to younger generations. We aim to integrate various local governance efforts rather than interpreting this project solely within the scope of our tasks," said Taehyung Lee, emphasizing the project's inclusivity from long-time Yuseong patrons to younger visitors unfamiliar with hot springs.

He also noted that more than half of Yuseong's visitors are business tourists, leading to the rebranding of Yuseong Hot Springs with the 'Bleisure' concept, combining business and leisure for wellness.

"The unique aspect of Yuseong Hot Springs is its urban setting, unlike other resorts. Residents of the city naturally seek out the hot springs, and we focused on branding this lifestyle," said Youngho Lee of Josely, highlighting the urban hot spring lifestyle as a distinctive feature.

As traditional hot spring tourism lost its appeal, Yuseong Hot Springs District's centrality wavered. However, the new brand development and the upcoming Yuseong Hot Springs Cultural Experience Center construction signify ongoing transformation. Deahoon Kang, CEO of WalkintoKorea, stressed, "Repositioning the declining Yuseong Hot Springs District with the new brand is essential to attract younger and global tourists," underscoring the importance of subsequent branding and marketing efforts.

This revitalized branding aims to breathe new life into the once-thriving Yuseong Hot Springs, making it a contemporary destination for both local and international visitors.

Yuseong Hot Spring Travel Week: Reigniting the Charm of Yuseong

Experience the Unique Blend of Hot Springs, Night, and Yoga

From November 11 to 27, Daejeon's Yuseong District is hosting Yuseong Hot Spring Travel Week, an initiative aimed at reviving the area's former glory and enhancing its appeal as a must-visit destination under the new brand 'YUON.'

This travel week is designed to rediscover the unique charm of Yuseong Hot Springs and boost the local economy. Visitors can enjoy a variety of benefits and events, including accommodation subsidies, the Yuseong Hot Springs Vitality UP cultural content, and fair tourism programs, offering a unique and memorable experience.

Notably, a popup store promoting the new 'YUON' brand has been set up. In front of the store, yoga classes are being held, combining the healing experiences of hot springs and yoga, which have become quite popular.

Focusing on the new brand 'YUON' of the Yuseong Hot Spring District.

In an effort to boost its image and global visibility, Yuseong District Office, together with WingWing, organized an image-making tour for foreigners on October 12, 2024

The tour embraced the 'Bleisure' concept—a mix of business and leisure—highlighting Yuseong as the ideal destination to combine work with relaxation. Renowned for its various conference facilities and hotels offering hot spring relaxation, Yuseong Hot Spring District is gaining traction as a prime location to blend business and leisure.

Participants included young adults from the UK, Germany, Belgium, Indonesia, Colombia, and the Philippines, along with Filipino women accompanied by young children, all guided by Walkintokorea.

The event began with a conference at the Intercity Hotel in Yuseong, followed by relaxation at Gyerong Spatel, reminiscent of Central Park in New York, and concluded with a hot spring bath experience at Gyeonghajang and leisure activities by the Gapcheon River. With motels and public baths using hot spring water, Yuseong Hot Spring District offers a variety of choices.

Michael Koenig from Germany expressed his amazement, saying, "It's incredible to find a beautiful place with hot springs and a flowing river, along with business-friendly hotels and amenities." Kevin Park, a reporter from Open Policy News, added, "The Yuseong Hot Spring area is a great spot to spend leisure time after work, with various tourist attractions and leisure activities nearby."

WingWing's Lee Yeoul commented, "Yuseong Hot Spring District is the perfect place for business visitors to relax and recharge. We've set up a popup store to promote this." The popup store will be open from October 11 to 27 during the Yuseong Hot Spring Travel Week. Yuseong District plans to continue promoting tourism through various programs and events.

In the heart of Yuseong, where business meets leisure, a unique sanctuary thrives for visitors from around the globe.