Chojeong Mineral Spring

Origin of Chojeong Mineral Spring

Together with Shasta of the U.S. and Napolinas of U.K, Chojeong Mineral Spring is recognized as one of the world’s three famous mineral waters. As it shoots up from a limestone layer 100 m underground, Chojeong mineral spring is cold spicy carbonated water. It is said that the mineral name gets its name from the fact that it is spicy, like pepper, and comes shooting out of a well. Furthermore, Chojeong Mineral Spring is a world renowned mineral water with 600 years of history and has been recognized by F.D.A. On March 2 of the 26th year of King Sejong’s (1444) reign during the Joseon Dynasty, the king came to this place and stayed for 60 days to treat his eye disease. King Sejo is also known to have visited this place to cure his disease. According to Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea), “There is spicy water in a place that is 39 li apart from Cheongju to the east, which cures skin disease when taking a bath in it.” Also, according to Jibongyuseol (Treatises on Practical Topics by Lee Su-gwang), “Although there are various types of spicy water in Korea, those from Gwangju and Cheongju are most famous.” It is commonly said that the efficacy of spicy water is the greatest in the months of July and August during summer. Hence, many people come to this place to take a bath on one of the three dog days and on July 15 of the lunar calendar.

History of Chojeong Mineral Spring

At the foot of Gunyeosan Mountain, Chojeong-ri, Naesu-eup, Cheongwon-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do - which is famous for the legend 9 Taoist fairies that ascended to heaven in the center of Sobaeksan Mountain long time ago - natural carbonated water shoots up. This clear mineral water had a piercing spicy taste. In the 26th year of King Sejong’s reign, the king personally came to this place and stayed for 60 days to cure his eye disease. Later, King Sejo is also known to have visited this place. There are records on Chojeong mineral water in Vol. 15 of Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea) and Vol. 103 of Joseon wangjo sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty). Even now, beverages using this mineral water, such as ‘Natural Cider’, ‘McCall’, and ‘Top C’ are being manufactured and sold, and quite a few people are waiting in line to be able to drink and take this mineral spring with them.

Best among the 3 World Famous Mineral Waters

Chojeong Mineral Spring attracts people’s attention as the ‘Mysterious Water of the Orient’ for its rich mineral content, and is one of the 3 World Famous Mineral Waters alongside Shasta of the U.S. and Napolinas of U.K.

Cheongju IC - Cheongsuyeok-ro (3.5km) → Jikji-daero(2.6km) → 2sunghwan-ro (7.7km) →Chungcheong-daero (6.3km)