Quick answer: Busan's Dongnae Hot Springs District became Korea's fourth official hot spring city on 1 October 2026, designated by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. It sits in the city centre on Busan Metro lines 1, 3 and 4, so groups reach it without a transfer day. Explera DMC Korea confirms group-ready venues before quoting.
What changed on 1 October
- The fourth in Korea. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety designated Dongnae on 1 October 2026, after Suanbo, Onyang and Bugok, which were named together in 2023.
- The water. Reported at up to 70.3°C and rich in silica, with a local history of about 1,400 years.
- In the city. The district lies in Busan's urban core on Metro lines 1, 3 and 4 and the Donghae Nambu Line, and draws about 2 million visitors a year.
- Plans, not products. Busan intends a hot spring healing centre, a public thermal relaxation facility and a festival. None is a bookable programme yet.
Why it suits groups
- No transfer day. The district is inside the city, so a bath stop fits an evening or a light afternoon without a long drive.
- Easy access. A coach or the metro both reach it, which helps when a group splits across hotels.
- A change of pace. After a day on foot, a bathing stop suits wellness-minded and senior groups.
- Know the rules. Bathhouse customs differ from venue to venue, including single-sex bathing and tattoo policies. We put them in the guest briefing.
Fitting it into a Busan programme
- Evening wind-down. A bath after sightseeing and before a group dinner keeps the day relaxed.
- Short and clear. Plan one to two hours, with the venue confirmed for group size, hours and changing facilities.
- Pair it with the city. It sits well beside a harbour, temple or market day in our Busan programmes.
- Confirm before quoting. We check each venue directly rather than assume the new status changes what is on offer.
What to wait for
The designation is a recognition, and the city's healing centre, relaxation facility and festival are still plans.
Treat Dongnae today as a central, long-established bathing district with new status, and expect the offer to grow.
Planned with the agent
Explera DMC Korea plans Busan wellness stops with the coach or metro briefing, a guide, venue checks and dinner.
Send your dates, pax and group profile to b2b@explera.kr or WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090. Explera DMC Korea is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (#900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.
Where this fits in our Korea programmes
The pages below carry the operational detail behind this briefing.
- Services: Tours & activities in Korea · Group travel & GIT in Korea · Guide services in Korea
- Destinations: Busan · Seoul
Frequently asked questions
When was Dongnae named a hot spring city?
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety designated the Dongnae Hot Springs District on 1 October 2026. It is Korea's fourth hot spring city, after Suanbo, Onyang and Bugok, which were named together in 2023.
How do groups get to Dongnae Hot Springs?
The district is in central Busan, on Busan Metro lines 1, 3 and 4 and the Donghae Nambu Line, and a coach reaches it easily. A bathing stop fits into a city day without a separate transfer day.
Can groups book the planned healing centre or festival yet?
No. The healing centre, the public thermal relaxation facility and the festival are city plans, not bookable products. Explera DMC Korea quotes only venues it has confirmed directly.
What should guests know before a group bath visit?
Bathhouse customs vary by venue, including single-sex bathing and tattoo policies. Explera DMC Korea confirms each venue's rules, group size and hours and puts them in the guest briefing.
