Descending from the Mountain of Ice, Finding Rest in the Waters

The 'pH 9.54' Chosen by World-Class Mountaineers
Solgi Oncheon in Cheongsong Defines the Formula for Winter Healing

In the depths of winter, after enduring the textures of ice and wind with one's whole body, the final thing needed is warm water.

Coming down the mountain of ice, finding rest in the water Photo by Byunggeon Kwon

Solgi Oncheon, located at the foot of Juwangsan National Park in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, is gaining attention as the "final stop" where travelers who have braved harsh winter nature can restore both body and mind. The hot spring, encountered after descending from mountains adorned with snowy landscapes, ice walls, and waterfalls, is not just a place for rest-it is the culmination of a winter journey.

Solgi Oncheon is a hot spring facility directly operated by a hotel, set against the beautiful natural backdrop of Juwangsan National Park, a UNESCO Global Geopark. In winter, the Juwangsan area, with its snowy scenery, ice walls, and the Jusanji walking trail, is recognized nationwide as a premier winter tourism destination. Solgi Oncheon has established itself as a leading healing space where visitors can relieve the fatigue accumulated at the end of this natural journey.

◆ A Texture Like 'Snail Mucin'... Korea's Top-Class Alkaline Hot Spring

The greatest strength of Solgi Oncheon is undoubtedly its water quality. The 100% natural hot spring water, drawn from 710 meters underground, is rich in sodium bicarbonate and boasts a high alkalinity (pH 9.54). The moment you immerse yourself in the water, your skin is enveloped by a silky-smooth, slippery sensation, providing an immediate moisturizing effect. Thanks to these qualities, it is known to help reduce wrinkles and brighten the skin, earning it the nickname "Beauty Bath" since ancient times.

Experts say that sodium bicarbonate hot springs gently remove dead skin cells and enhance moisture retention, making them especially effective for managing dry skin in winter. In fact, Solgi Oncheon attracts not only middle-aged and older visitors seeking both winter skin care and fatigue relief, but also younger people who enjoy hiking and walking tours.

◆ A 'Restorative Hot Spring' Proven by World Mountaineers

The reputation of Solgi Oncheon is also recognized on the international sports stage. Every winter, Cheongsong hosts the Cheongsong Ice Climbing World Cup, jointly organized by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), the Asian Mountaineering Federation, and the Korean Alpine Federation. The competition venue, set up on the natural ice walls of Eoreumgol, is an international stage where the world's top climbers compete.

Solgi Oncheon, operated by the Juwangsan Oncheon Tourist Hotel, the official accommodation for the event, has naturally become a recovery space for mountaineers from around the world. Scenes of athletes soaking in the hot spring to recover after grueling competitions have become a familiar part of Cheongsong's winter landscape. Word of this experience has spread to Europe and the United States, and recently, even overseas road cycling teams have visited in groups.

◆ Scientifically Proven Effects on Immunity and Skin Regeneration

The benefits of Solgi Oncheon are not just anecdotal. According to a study presented at the Japanese Society of Balneology in 2020, sodium bicarbonate hot springs have been shown to promote the activity of NK cells, which are responsible for immune function, as well as the production of HSP-70, an anti-aging protein, thereby having positive effects on immunity and skin regeneration. This scientific backing is part of the reason why hot spring bathing is attracting attention as "healing tourism" during the winter, when immunity tends to decline.

The Winter Healing Formula Perfected by ‘pH 9.54’ Cheongsong Solgi Oncheon Chosen by World Mountaineers Photo by Kwon Byunggeon

An official from Cheongsong County stated, "As the winter scenery of Juwangsan and the outstanding water quality of Solgi Oncheon come together, Cheongsong's unique healing tourism brand has become firmly established. We will continue to expand stay-type tourism centered on healing and relaxation to strengthen our year-round tourism competitiveness."

The fact that world mountaineers, after climbing ice walls, head to a warm hot spring as their final destination symbolically demonstrates that Solgi Oncheon has become more than just a tourist facility-it is now recognized as a "space for recovery." The experience of meeting warm water at the end of winter is the most compelling reason visitors keep returning to Cheongsong.