Split image showing a closed Dragon Hill Spa entrance on the left and a warm, traditional Korean sauna interior at Sparex Dongdaemun on the right.

๐Ÿšซ Dragon Hill Spa is Closed: The 5 Best Seoul Jjimjilbang Alternatives (Local Guide)

by

The 5 Best Seoul Jjimjilbang: The “Bad News” First (Don’t Skip This)

If you are reading this standing outside Yongsan Station looking for the famous “Dragon Hill Spa,” stop. Turn around.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Dragon Hill Spa (๋“œ๋ž˜๊ณคํž์ŠคํŒŒ) is permanently closed. It shut down during the pandemic and has not reopened. The lights are off, the famous “Dragon” entrance is gathering dust, and it is not coming back anytime soon.

But here is the good news:

Dragon Hill was famous, but honestly? It was a tourist trap. It was crowded, expensive, and outdated. The alternatives open in Seoul right now are cleaner, more modern, and offer a much more authentic Jjimjilbang (Korean Sauna) experience.

Iโ€™m going to save your itinerary right now. Put away Google Maps (it doesn’t work well here anyway), open Naver Map, and letโ€™s get you to a real sauna.

๐Ÿšจ Quick Answer: Is Dragon Hill Spa Open?

No. As of 2025, Dragon Hill Spa remains closed indefinitely.

Another famous spot, Siloam Sauna near Seoul Station, is also closed. Do not go to either of these locations.

Where should you go instead?

  • For convenience & budget: Sparex Dongdaemun

  • For luxury & infinity pools: Aquafield (Goyang)

  • For authentic outdoor kilns: Supsok Hanbang Land

๐Ÿ“‹ The Seoul Sauna Cheat Sheet

Don’t have time to read? Here is the quick breakdown of where locals are actually going.

Sauna Name Vibe / Style Distance from Yongsan Best For… Naver Map Search
Sparex Dongdaemun Traditional, Budget, Easy ~15 mins (Subway) Late-night layovers, shopping trips ์ŠคํŒŒ๋ ‰์Šค ๋™๋Œ€๋ฌธ
Aquafield Goyang Luxury, Modern, K-Drama ~45 mins (Taxi/Subway) Couples, Families, Instagram photos ์•„์ฟ ์•„ํ•„๋“œ ๊ณ ์–‘
Supsok Hanbang Land Rustic, Nature, Charcoal ~25 mins (Bus/Taxi) Authentic experience, Outdoor kilns ์ˆฒ์†ํ•œ๋ฐฉ๋žœ๋“œ
Spa Lei Upscale, Elegant ~20 mins (Taxi) Women Only, Skincare focus ์ŠคํŒŒ๋ ˆ์ด

Best Seoul Jjimjilbang: A 3D isometric map of Seoul showing Yongsan as closed, with glowing pins for open sauna alternatives: Aquafield, Sparex, and Supsok.

๐Ÿง–โ€โ™€๏ธ Option 1: Sparex Dongdaemun (The “Convenient” Savior)

Ideally located inside a fashion mall.

If you were planning on Dragon Hill because it was easy to get to, Sparex is your replacement. Located in the basement of the Good Morning City mall in Dongdaemun, it operates 24/7 (mostly) and retains that classic Joseon-dynasty aesthetic with wooden pavilions and dimly lit sleeping caves.

  • The Vibe: Bustling, massive, and very traditional. Youโ€™ll see locals napping after a night shift and tourists recovering from jet lag.

  • The “Pro” Move: Order the Sikhye (Sweet Rice Drink) and Maekbanseok Gyeran (Roasted Eggs) at the snack bar. It is the cheapest and tastiest combo in the city.

  • Warning: It is popular. If you go on a Friday night, finding a sleeping mat in the main hall is like playing Tetris.

๐Ÿ“ How to get there:

Go to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station (Lines 2, 4, 5). Take Exit 14. It is in the B3 level of the Good Morning City building.

Search Naver Map for: ์ŠคํŒŒ๋ ‰์Šค ๋™๋Œ€๋ฌธ

A close-up of roasted eggs (Maekbanseok gyeran), a bottle of cold Sikhye, and a sauna locker key on a wooden tray in a jjimjilbang.

๐Ÿ’Ž Option 2: Aquafield Goyang (The “Luxury Upgrade”)

The “Gangnam Style” of Saunas.

If you wanted to visit a Jjimjilbang to feel pampered, Dragon Hill would have disappointed you anyway. Aquafield is where you want to be. Located in the massive Starfield Mall (just outside Seoul), this is a high-end wellness complex.

  • The Vibe: Immaculate. Think marble floors, high-end toiletries (no need to bring shampoo), and themed rooms (Cloud Room, Media Art Room).

  • The Rooftop: They have an infinity pool with a view of the Han River and mountains. Note: The pool usually requires an extra ticket or a combo pass.

  • The “Noon Rush”: This place is beloved by Korean families. Arrive before 11:00 AM or on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

๐Ÿ“ How to get there:

Take Subway Line 3 to Samsong Station. Walk 10 mins or take a quick taxi to Starfield Goyang.

Search Naver Map for: ์•„์ฟ ์•„ํ•„๋“œ ๊ณ ์–‘

A wide-angle view of people relaxing in the rooftop infinity pool at Aquafield Goyang during a pink and purple sunset, overlooking mountains.

๐Ÿ”ฅ Option 3: Supsok Hanbang Land (The “Authentic” Choice)

Featured in “I Live Alone” and major K-Variety shows.

This is for the traveler who wants the real Korea, not the polished version. Located at the base of Ansan Mountain, this is one of the few places in Seoul that still uses real charcoal fire kilns (Bulgama).

  • The Vibe: Rustic and smoky. You will smell like burning oak wood when you leave (in a good way). Itโ€™s indoor/outdoor, so you can cool off in the mountain air while wearing your sauna clothes.

  • The Highlight: The “Cat.” There is a famous resident cat that roams the sauna. Also, you can buy sweet potatoes and marshmallows to roast on the open charcoal embers outside.

  • Is it fancy? No. It is old-school. But the heat quality is superior to any electric heater sauna.

๐Ÿ“ How to get there:

From Sinchon Station (Line 2), take Bus 7024. It drops you right at the entrance.

Search Naver Map for: ์ˆฒ์†ํ•œ๋ฐฉ๋žœ๋“œ

๐Ÿ› Jjimjilbang 101: Don’t Be That Tourist

If this is your first time, the “Naked Rule” scares everyone. Here is the breakdown so you don’t panic.

1. The “Wet” Area (The Bathhouse)

  • Status: 100% Naked. No swimsuits. No towels in the water.

  • Gender: Strictly segregated. Men and Women go to separate floors.

  • The Golden Rule: You MUST shower and scrub before entering any tub. If you jump in dry, every grandma/grandpa in the room will yell at you. It is considered very dirty.

2. The “Dry” Area (The Jjimjilbang)

  • Status: Clothed. You wear the pyjamas (shirt/shorts) they give you at the front desk.

  • Gender: Mixed. This is the common area where you hang out with friends, eat eggs, and sleep on the floor.

๐Ÿ’ก Pro Tip: The “Yangmeori” (Sheep Head)

You will see people wearing towels folded like sheep horns on their heads. Itโ€™s not just cute; it helps keep your head cool in the hot rooms. Ask a local, “Yang-meori how?” and they will happily show you.

๐Ÿ“ฑ Survival Tools (Download These Before You Fly)

  • Naver Map: Google Maps does not give walking directions in Korea due to security laws. You need Naver Map.

  • Papago: The best translation app. Much better than Google Translate for Korean.

  • Kakao T: Uber works sometimes, but Kakao T is the king of taxis here.

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท Final Word from your Local Insider

I know it is disappointing that Dragon Hill Spa is gone. It was an icon. But honestly? The closure of Dragon Hill has forced tourists to discover Supsok and Aquafield, which offer a much deeper look into Korean culture.

Enjoy the heat, scrub away the dead skin (and stress), and don’t forget to crack a roasted egg on your friend’s headโ€”itโ€™s tradition!

Have a question about a specific sauna? Ask me in the comments below!