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Health is a lifelong commitment—to ourselves and to our loved ones. Among all aspects of health, mental well-being often feels like a constant battle against stress, both from within and from the world around us. What if there were a place where nature, meditation, spa rituals, herbal tea, and modern medicine all come together?
Welcome to Chungju, a city in the heart of Korea, where wellness and medical tourism blend seamlessly. Imagine meditating with a wooden log in a forest clearing, savoring a farm-to-table feast of seasonal greens, soaking in mineral-rich hot springs, and receiving advanced health checkups—all in one healing trip.
Once the geographic center of the Silla Kingdom, Chungju has long been known for its pristine forests and therapeutic hot springs. What was once a popular honeymoon destination famed for sulphur baths has now evolved into a refined wellness hotspot. Today, visitors come not only for romantic getaways but also for holistic healing, medical programs, and nature-based retreats.
Initiated by Chungbuk Innovation Institute of Science & Technology, the Mind Healing Wellness & Medical Program starts its journey in Ongdalseam, where visitors experience Log Meditation and a restorative nature stay.
Log Meditation at Ongdalseam
Deep in the forest lies Ongdalseam, where the unique Log Meditation program helps weary souls find peace. Participants gently roll a wooden log along their body while lying on a yoga mat, releasing tension and restoring balance from head to toe. It’s a simple yet profound way to begin a wellness journey in Chungju.
Special programs at Ongdalseam extend beyond Log Meditation, offering experiences such as singing bowl meditation and the Happy Family Mind Journey, each designed to nurture relaxation and emotional harmony. Guests can also enjoy soothing herbal teas, adding a gentle touch of nature’s healing to the experience.
Medical and Water Healing at Chungju Weedahm Integrated Hospital
In nearby Suanbo Hot Spring Village, the Chungju Weedahm Integrated Hospital combines the best of East and West. With a philosophy that extends beyond curing illness to “healing life,” the hospital blends modern medical checkups with therapies such as meridian treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and aqua massage.
One highlight is Ren and Du Meridian Therapy, which targets the Conception Vessel (front) and Governing Vessel (back)—two major energy channels in traditional Eastern medicine—to restore circulation and balance according to Yin-Yang theory.
For international guests, full interpretation and support services are available, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming experience.
A Wholesome Feast at Slow Farmer
Tucked into the pristine forest near Suanbo Hot Springs, Slow Farmer is more than a retreat—it’s a return to nature. Guided by the belief that “healthy food comes from healthy soil,” it offers hanjeongsik (traditional Korean table d’hôte) prepared with K-Forest Food–certified seasonal wild greens and slow-boiled pork. Guests can even join hands-on workshops to make wild garlic pesto or enjoy a rustic BBQ under the trees.
“We live in such a fast-paced world that taking time to pause and breathe is vital,” says Jung Sung Hun, founder and CEO of Slow Farmer. “Here, guests reconnect with nature—smelling the forest, listening to valley streams, feeling textures beneath their fingertips. The slowness they find becomes a source of peace, healing, and renewed energy.”
Thermal Healing at Suanbo Hot Springs
The journey concludes with a soak in the Suanbo Hot Springs, Korea’s first naturally occurring hot spring, flowing for over 30,000 years. The water, drawn from 250 meters underground at 53°C with a mild alkalinity of pH 8.3, is famed for its healing minerals.
Historical records show Suanbo Hot Springs mentioned as early as 1018 during King Hyeonjong’s reign. Later, in the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo (Yi Seong-gye), the founder of Joseon, often visited to ease skin ailments. For centuries, this “King’s Hot Spring” has been a source of rest and renewal.
Chungju Today: A Global Wellness Destination
In recent decades, Chungbuk Province—home to Chungju—has grown into a hub for both wellness and medical tourism, attracting visitors from China, Mongolia, Russia, and across Southeast Asia. The appeal is clear: come for the healing, stay for the culture.
The Global Tourism Forum recently ranked South Korea among the world’s Top 5 countries for medical tourism in 2025. Chungju, with its blend of pristine forests, innovative hospitals, and rich history, embodies this achievement.
Whether you are a stressed-out city dweller, a curious traveler, or simply someone longing to trade concrete for forest air, Chungju offers a unique Korean path to restoring both body and mind.
Hot springs bubble, autumn leaves sway, and deep in the woods, a healing memory awaits.
More information is available on Chungju’s Mind Healing Wellness & Medical Program website: http://www.healingyou.co.kr/site/en/index.html.
Sponsored by Chungbuk Innovation Institute of Science & Technology
