Something Different
Noraebang
Norae-bang (literally "song room") is a necessary Korean experience. Imagine singing Karaoke in a small room with only your friends present... now add in tambourines, flashing lights, and weird background videos behind the lyrics! You usually pay about 20,000 won per hour for your group, but they will usually add some extra time for free, especially if you are buying drinks from them. Just look for the signs 노래방 ("noh-ray-bahng") or 노래연습장 ("noh-ray yuhn-sep-jahng")-- they are everywhere!
Saunas
In Korea, there are places that are just saunas (사우나, "sah-oo-nah") , and there are places that are saunas and jjimjjilbangs (찜찔방, "jjeem-jjeel-bahng").
The sauna part has pools of different temperatures and steam rooms. You leave your belongings in a locker, enter naked (same-sex only), and shower before relaxing in the sauna.
The jjimjjilbang part is a co-ed section where you wear pajama-like clothing they give you. There is usually a snack bar or restaurant, TV area, massage area, and sometimes hot and cold rooms to sit in.
Ice Rink
청주 실내아이스링크, "Cheongju sheel-lay ice reeng-k"
In Chungdae. 6,000 won entrance fee plus 3,000 won for skate rental. Open from 9am to 7pm year-round. Dress warmly, and gloves are mandatory.
Cat Cafes
Dog Cafes
Suamgol (수암골)
This tiny neighborhood "village" is full of buildings covered in bright colors and artwork. It's among the hills near Uam Mountain, and it's a really unique place. It's a great place for photography or just to walk around on a nice day. From Uam Elementary School (우암초등학교), go behind it in the direction of the mountain for several blocks. Also, check out Palbong Bakery and Cafe in the area.
More info about Suamgol Painted Village.
Sangsoo Herbland
Located about 20 minutes south of Cheongju, 상수허브랜드 ("sahng-soo huhb-ren-duh") is a wonderful place to visit. Thousands of herbs, plants, and trees, plus beautiful trails, an aromatic path for your bare feet, and edible flower bibimbap.
Indoor/Outdoor Fishing
성화낚시터 ("suhng-hwah nahk-shee-tuh") is in Seongwha-dong, near the the Gaeshin-dong HomePlus. They have both an indoor and outdoor pond where you can do catch-and-release fishing. They provide poles and bait, and have little competitions for catching the biggest or the most fish.
Norae-bang (literally "song room") is a necessary Korean experience. Imagine singing Karaoke in a small room with only your friends present... now add in tambourines, flashing lights, and weird background videos behind the lyrics! You usually pay about 20,000 won per hour for your group, but they will usually add some extra time for free, especially if you are buying drinks from them. Just look for the signs 노래방 ("noh-ray-bahng") or 노래연습장 ("noh-ray yuhn-sep-jahng")-- they are everywhere!
Saunas
In Korea, there are places that are just saunas (사우나, "sah-oo-nah") , and there are places that are saunas and jjimjjilbangs (찜찔방, "jjeem-jjeel-bahng").
The sauna part has pools of different temperatures and steam rooms. You leave your belongings in a locker, enter naked (same-sex only), and shower before relaxing in the sauna.
The jjimjjilbang part is a co-ed section where you wear pajama-like clothing they give you. There is usually a snack bar or restaurant, TV area, massage area, and sometimes hot and cold rooms to sit in.
- Cheongju Oncheon (청주온천, "Cheongju Ohn-chuhn") is in Bunpyeong-dong. It is the biggest and nicest sauna/jjimjjilbang in Cheongju, with many different temperatures of pools, an outside pool, skin scrubs, and even little cubicles for sleeping. It includes many other amenities, like a massage center, skin center, restaurant, movie room,...
- Spaville is on the 3rd floor of the Dream Plus complex in Gagyeong-dong near the bus terminal.
- Chojeong Mineral Spring (초정약수, "Choh-juhng Yahk-soo") is about 40 minutes outside Cheongju to the northeast. It's famous because the mineral water is naturally carbonated, and this bubbly water makes for a unique spa experience. The best way to get there is to take a city bus to Naesu (such as the 105), and then a taxi to Chojeong.
Ice Rink
청주 실내아이스링크, "Cheongju sheel-lay ice reeng-k"
In Chungdae. 6,000 won entrance fee plus 3,000 won for skate rental. Open from 9am to 7pm year-round. Dress warmly, and gloves are mandatory.
Cat Cafes
- Hello Cat in shinae. On one of the side streets on the right after McDonald's, on the 4th floor. You pay about 7,000 won for a drink, and that includes your admission fee. There are about 30 cats there that you can touch, play with, take pictures of, etc... A really fun experience!
Dog Cafes
- A-Mate in Habokdae (near the disco bowling). They have a variety of dogs, big and small, for you to play with. The dogs seem happy and well looked after.
- All About Dogs in Bong-myeong-dong.
- 2Gaether in Naedeok-dong.
Suamgol (수암골)
This tiny neighborhood "village" is full of buildings covered in bright colors and artwork. It's among the hills near Uam Mountain, and it's a really unique place. It's a great place for photography or just to walk around on a nice day. From Uam Elementary School (우암초등학교), go behind it in the direction of the mountain for several blocks. Also, check out Palbong Bakery and Cafe in the area.
More info about Suamgol Painted Village.
Sangsoo Herbland
Located about 20 minutes south of Cheongju, 상수허브랜드 ("sahng-soo huhb-ren-duh") is a wonderful place to visit. Thousands of herbs, plants, and trees, plus beautiful trails, an aromatic path for your bare feet, and edible flower bibimbap.
Indoor/Outdoor Fishing
성화낚시터 ("suhng-hwah nahk-shee-tuh") is in Seongwha-dong, near the the Gaeshin-dong HomePlus. They have both an indoor and outdoor pond where you can do catch-and-release fishing. They provide poles and bait, and have little competitions for catching the biggest or the most fish.