The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization, has unveiled a list of 11 new exceptional wellness tourist destinations for 2025. These sites are selected for their unique offerings in wellness experiences, drawing on Korea’s distinct cultural heritage, natural resources, and emotional landscapes.
The selection process involved input from 17 metropolitan local governments across the nation, which recommended 66 outstanding wellness attractions. The final list was curated through a thorough evaluation process, including written assessments, site visits, and a review committee.
The selected wellness attractions span six diverse themes: Oriental medicine (2), stay experiences (1), healing and meditation (3), beauty and spa (3), natural healing (1), and food (1).
Among the newly recognized sites is Ganghwa Yakseokwon in Incheon, a wellness destination utilizing reinforced mugwort, a local specialty of Ganghwa. This unique program highlights the region’s natural assets and offers an enriching wellness experience.
Notable selections within the Oriental medicine category include the Jeonnam Mental Health Healing Center in Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, and Yakseokwon in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. These locations specialize in treatments grounded in traditional Korean medical practices.
The Stay category features the Hae Beach Hotel & Resort in Jeju’s Seogwipo City, where visitors can engage in wellness programs like Sunset Yoga and Singing Ball Meditation, immersing themselves in the serene Jeju environment.
The healing and meditation theme welcomes new additions such as Daeheungsa Temple in Haenam’s Duryunsan Provincial Park, Tribium in Pyeongtaek, and the Hadong Wild Tea Culture Center. Each of these locations offers distinctive programs aimed at mental and spiritual rejuvenation.
Within the beauty and spa category, the SMB Wellness Center in Gijang, Busan; Heidi House in Seocho-gu, Seoul; and Gochang Well Park City in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do, provide specialized treatments for wellness and relaxation.
Jeju’s Gyorae Natural Recreation Forest, which offers immersive ecological experiences through forest commentary and infant forest programs, has been selected under the natural healing theme. Cha Deok-bun in Incheon, which operates a reservation-based Tiomakase food experience, is the sole representative in the food category.
Kim Jong-hoon, Acting Head of the International Tourism Division at the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, “We are committed to supporting the development of these exceptional wellness destinations and providing tailored consulting to help them enhance their appeal and recognition as premier tourist attractions.”
