Osaek Hot Springs 설악온천장

Osaek Hot Springs is in Osaekjigu, a part of Namseorak, and is reputed to have been discovered by a Buddhist monk of Seongguk temple from the Joseon Period (1392~1910). It is 20Km west of Yangyang, 5Km Southeast of Hangyeryeong, and 30km to the south of it is the Osaek mineral spring resort. From three base rocks at the resort come rivulets flowing with water high in iron and carbonic acid, which is good for stomach-ailments, anemia, and neuralgia. The water temperature is relatively low at 30 ℃, and is high in sulfur as well. The water at Osaek Hot Springs gushes from a high ground (650m above sea level), and there is a legend that long ago, nymphs came here to bathe and returned to the heavens. The water temperature here is 42 degrees Celsius, and high in chloric acid, sulfur, manganese, and iron. It feels slippery and soft, and has a slight fishy smell, but it is so great for skincare that Osaek Hot springs is also called Miinoncheon (beauty hot springs). After the geological examination by Gangwon-do in 1982, it was officially designated as Osaekoncheonjigu (Osaek Hot Springs Area).