Paju Book City: Design, Typography, and Libraries

Just west of Seoul in Paju is an interesting neighborhood with architectural gems, book cafes, and publishing companies. Called the Paju Book City (파주출판도시), if you’re looking for something different to do this weekend, maybe head here and see what you can see. This hidden gem is a haven for architecture enthusiasts, bookworms, and publishing enthusiasts alike. While it may not be a mainstream tourist destination, Paju Book City offers a plethora of captivating attractions and delightful surprises waiting to be discovered.

Get ready to take a trip out to the Paju Book City:

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How To Get There

Address: 145 Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 회동길 145)

By Public Transportation: You can take the subway out to Paju Subway Station and from there take a local bus to Paju Book City.

What To Know

Paju Book City is a dedicated hub for the creation, publication, and sale of books in Korea. With 250 publishing companies operating within its boundaries, this “city” area is under the auspices of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. From the inception of ideas to the final distribution of printed works, every aspect of the publishing process can be found here. Numerous book cafes and bookstores are scattered throughout the vicinity, offering a haven for literary enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

In Paju Book City, the number of books is said to surpass the local population by a ratio of 20 to 1. Amidst this vast collection of books, you’ll encounter art galleries, cozy book cafes, guesthouses, exhibition spaces, and venues designed specifically for children. A visit to Paju Book City promises an enriching day trip for residents of Seoul, providing a perfect blend of cultural immersion and artistic exploration.

Website: http://www.pajubookcity.org/

Events To Look Out For

Throughout the year, Paju Book City hosts a variety of fyn events. Two notable highlights are the International Children’s Book Festival, held in the spring, and the International Book Festival, which takes place in the autumn. These festivals are ideal opportunities to engage with literary luminaries, discover new authors, and celebrate the joys of reading.

What To See

I first went to Paju Book City to visit a gallery and driving through the area wondered what all of these unique buildings houses. On the weekends, it’s quiet and unassuming as the majority of people there head in to work on the weekdays. Enter at the right time and you’ll find bustling fun and at other times, peaceful emptiness. It’s one of those areas in Korea that could be really popular with more marketing, but is mostly visited by locals looking for books and galleries that randomly stumble upon it.

Asia Publication Culture Information Center (아시아출판문화정보센터)

This is the heart of the Paju Book City. With five floors of different spaces, there is plenty of space to spread out with a good book. One of its most iconic features is the Forest of Wisdom, an expansive wall of bookshelves that beckons visitors to stand in awe at all of the knowledge on pages before them.

However, this center is more than just a book repository. There are cozy reading spaces, meticulously curated collections of literary works, and versatile event spaces. While you’re there, don’t forget to explore the various nooks and crannies, ascend the steps, and immerse yourself in the rich literary heritage that abounds.

Address: 145 Hwedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 회동길 145)

Pinocchio Museum (피노키오책방)

An exhibition hall dedicated to the world of fairy tales and children’s books. The Pinocchio Museum is a haven for families seeking a delightful and engaging space to read. Bring your little ones along, and watch their imaginations soar as they explore the enchanting exhibitions.

Address: 152 Hwedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 파주시 회동길 152)
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm

Paju Typography Institute (파주타이포그라피배곳)

This institute celebrates the art of typography and features numerous exhibitions and workshops showcasing various typefaces and their design.

Address: 330 Hoedong-gil, Paju bookcity Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 회동길 330)
Website: http://www.pati.kr/

Paju Bookstore Alley

This street is lined with numerous independent bookstores, making it a great place to find unique and rare books. You’ll also find an array of cozy book cafes, providing the perfect haven for you to lose yourself in the captivating narratives that lie within the pages of your chosen book.

Woongjin History Museum (웅진역사관)

Head in to enjoy all the works from the Woongjin Publishing Company. There are some fun book-centered exhibitions and spaces to see with some fun art as well.

Address: 20 Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 회동길 20)

Korean Film Archive (한국영상자료원)

The Paju Preservation Center is a facility that opened in 2016 to intensively perform preservation and restoration work for the Korean Film Archive. As it is equipped with various high-tech preservation and research facilities such as film development and printing facilities and a 4K-based film digitalization and restoration system, the Paju Preservation Center makes efforts for the transmission of Korean image culture heritage to descendants.

Address: 301 Munbal-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 문발로 301)
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm
Reservations: Advanced reservations are required to visit. You can do so on their website.
Website: https://eng.koreafilm.or.kr/

Mimesis Art Museum (미메시스 아트 뮤지엄)

Mimesis Art Museum has three floors and a basement level and is run by Mimesis, the arts book brand of the publishing company Open Books. The design of the building is an like an elegant open book that was designed by Portugese architect Ivaro Siza. It’s a very harmonious design that is meant to align well with the nature and surrounding buildings. Step in to see what’s on exhibition.

Address: 253 Munbal-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 파주시 문발로 253)
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 10:00am ~ 6:00pm
Admission: Adults: W8,000; Children: W6,000

Lotte Paju Premium Outlet (롯데 파주 프리미엄아울렛)

Lotte Paju Premium Outlet is Korea’s largest premium outlet, offering more than 250 international and Korean luxury brands at affordable prices. The outlet aims to be a family-friendly location, with amenities including Lotte Cinema, a merry-go-round, an electric train, premium train, and many kids’ facilities. The neighboring Simhaksan Mountain creates a natural environment for a relaxing time. The outlet is also conveniently located in the vicinity of Paju Book City.

Address: 390 Hoedong-gil, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 회동길 390)

The Paju Book City has some interesting highlights to find whether you’re looking for something quirky, fun, artistic, or cozy. Take an adventure and see what you can see.

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