YESAN COUNTY

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As the Cultural Property No. 190 designated by Chungcheongnamdo on May 17, 1984, Deoksan Oncheon Spa is located in 15 Satong-ri (now 483 Satong-ri), Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun. Around 1918, a building named Deoksan Oncheon initiated to use hot springs. Mr. Lee, Han-gyung later built a new building through underground digging operations and pulled Oncheon’s mineral water of 43~ 52℃ out of 300 m under the ground. Because it naturally erupts from inside the Earth and has an effect like mother’s breast milk, it is also called ‘Jiguyu.’

The Origin of Deoksan Oncheon Spa

Cosidering Deoksan hyeonjo of Dongguk yeoji seungnam records Deoksan as 『Namo-ri, Oncheonje-hyun (溫泉在縣 南五里),』 and Chungcheongdo Deoksan hyeonjo of Sejong sillik jiriji records Yun, Il-mun at Namsam-ri, Oncheonje-hyun, the known history of the spring traced back to 500~600 years ago. Chungbo, a book written by Joseon’s Confucianist Lee, Yul-gok, introduces the following anecdote describing Deoksan Oncheon’s origin. A crane stood in the middle of a rice field for a long time without flying away. When the residents approached and took a closer look, they noticed it constantly applied the field’s water on its hurt wing and leg. After the crane completely recovered and flew away three days later, the residents inspected the site and sfound warm and slippery water springing out. Since people named the spot as a mineral spring and used the water to heal skin diseases and neuralgia, the village was hence called Oncheongol(hot spring village). Another passed-down legend says about a diligent farmer who lived in Sadong-ri, Deoksan long ago. Although having lived poorly with his single mother, he was a devoted son to his mother while taking care of his children well enough as well. One day, years of famine devastated his field causing a lot of troubles to him. Rice plants became parched up in the field. When looking at worn-out plants, he suddenly remembered the field’s center had always had well-grown grass. After he ran to the spot with a few plants still surviving, where he had thought he would cultivate someday, and stroke down the spot with a hoe, water came in sight. Surprisingly, it was warm water. Heaven did not neglect an industrious man, so he lived happily ever after as the owner of this hot springs. First opened as the tub-operated Oncheon in 1917 by Japanese Anjeong, Deoksan Oncheon Spa, as a natural bicarbonate oncheon, contains germanium, so-called miraculous treatment material, which has been known to have efficacy of relieving myalgia, arthritis, neuralgia, and subcutaneous fat as well as of promoting blood circulation and cell reproduction. Its districts offer 50 accommodations including seven Oncheon inns, 2 Tourist hotels, and one general hotel, various restaurants, and other facilities.