Nokcheon Hot Spring Hotel, Busan Hot Springs District

Dongnae Hot Springs [東萊溫泉], the Oldest Hot Springs in Korea Dongnae Hot Springs has long been known as “Onjeong” (溫井) and was famous for its miraculous healing properties for the sick; even during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, many royal relatives and Yangban scholars frequented the area. Dongnae Hot Springs has such a long history that it is even recorded in the *Samguk Yusa* (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). The hot spring water in this area is slightly alkaline, rich in magnesium, and classified as a “weak saline spring” with the highest concentration of chloride ions; it is said to be effective for neuralgia, skin diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and gynecological conditions. Furthermore, the water is gentle and non-irritating, making it completely safe for the elderly, infants, and patients in recovery. In 1962, Nokcheon Bathhouse—a public bathhouse using the source water from Dongnae Hot Springs—opened in Oncheon-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan (present-day Busan Metropolitan City), and the Nokcheon Hotel was newly constructed in 1980. The name “Nokcheon” (鹿泉) in Nokcheon Hot Springs derives from the legend of Dongnae Hot Springs, which states, “When a white deer came to rest here, digging at the spot where it had slept revealed a warm spring gushing forth.”