Conmaul O. Med. Hospital (꽃마을한병원)
If you are out cycling or even walking around the park complex with Cheomseongdae Observatory and Gyerim Forest, I highly recommend taking a few hours to explore the neighborhood just to the south west, called Gyo-dong. Just minutes from ground zero of tourism in Gyeongju are some real gems of traditional culture that not many foreigner visitors seem to get to.
Just across national road 35 from the Oreung tombs park is one of these gems: Conmaul Hanbang Byeongwon (꽃마을한병원), or “Flower Village Oriental Medical Hospital.” The grounds are gorgeous and they’re open to the public, so don’t be shy about taking some time to go in and explore around. The traditional revivalist wood-and-plaster architecture is pretty cool.
Dragon statue, Conmaul O. Med. Hospital (꽃마을한병원)
Often times there are herbal medicines being dried in the racks in the courtyard and there are some gorgeous carvings on the grounds. Don’t miss the large pink, granite dragon back to the left of the complex.
Don’t be afraid to stick your head into some of the buildings either, though I’d stop short at barging through any closed doors. I once accidentally walked in on a naked elderly gent lying face down with acupuncture needles stuck in his bare bottom.
Drying racks for herbal medicine, Conmaul O. Med. Hospital (꽃마을한병원)
If you are interested in being treated by any of the O. med. therapies, Conmaul O. Med. Hospital offers the full range: everything from acupuncture, moxibustion, cupping and tapping to aromatherapy, chiropractic massage, hot sand baths and herbal medical treatments.
From their English brochure, they seem to offer a 2 hour program that combines a number of these therapies, though I don’t know how much this costs. A number of the staff speak fairly good English. For more info check out their website (Korean only I’m afraid) or give them a call at: 054-775-6600
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Thanks for the info, Sherwin. An update, though…we called and actually went to the Hospital and were told that no one speaks English. They said we needed to bring a translator with us. So, we’re working on the aspect now.
I’m sorry to hear that.. It’s a shame too, as they’re missing out on a great business opportunity. Thanks for the update though and good luck.