KR · Gyeonggi Province · 37.87°N 126.80°E

paju

Book warehouses, artists' workshops and landscaped gardens northwest of Seoul.

Best time
April–May and October–November suit outdoor stops. July–August is wet and humid; winter is very cold out in the open.
How long
1 day
Getting there
Fly from KL to Seoul Incheon (about 6.5 hours). Buses from Hapjeong in western Seoul reach Paju Book City and Heyri in about an hour. Korea is an hour ahead of KL.
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KR · Gyeonggi Provincepaju37.87°N 126.80°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Book warehouses, artists' workshops and landscaped gardens northwest of Seoul.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingPajuKR, Gyeonggi Province
KLpaju
≈ 4,630 km from KL, as the crow flies
The Gyeongui Line crossing The Imjin River

Photo: Kanchi1979 from jawp · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A city on Seoul's northwestern edge, near the border with North Korea, known for its publishers' town, artists' village and big gardens. It makes an easy, quiet day out from Seoul.

Makan

  1. Jangdan bean dishesTofu and soybean stews made with Paju's well-known Jangdan soybeans.Map ↗
  2. Paju ginsengGinseng grown in the style of nearby Kaesong, sold fresh, dried and in teas.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Paju Book CityA town of publishers' buildings, with the Forest of Wisdom, a library with shelves up to the ceiling.Map ↗
  2. Heyri Art ValleyAn artists' village of galleries, studios, small museums and cafés.Map ↗
  3. Byeokchoji GardensBig landscaped gardens with ponds and themed sections, colourful in spring and autumn.Map ↗
  4. ImjingakA park at the edge of the DMZ, where most DMZ tours begin.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Book City and Heyri are close together; the gardens and Imjingak are easier by car or on a tour.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.