The Majang Suspension Bridge & The Cafes To Visit There Too!

There are so many things to do in Paju, an area just northwest of Seoul in the Gyeonggi-do province and visiting Majang Lake is definitely one of them. Majang Lake was probably not on most peoples’ radar until a couple years ago when the longest suspension bridge in Korea was opened. This beautiful suspension bridge spans the water from what forested side to another that features an observatory. There are numerous gorgeous cafes and restaurants to stop into too. It’s a great area to take a day trip from Seoul and it’s pretty easy to get to as well.

Looking for something to do this weekend? This is the spot to go see near Seoul, Korea.

There are some great things to see around Majang Lake. Let’s start planning your visit:

• How To Get To Majang Lake
• What To Know About Majang Lake (마장호수)
• Cafes Near Majang Lake
  • Red Bridge Cafe (레드브릿지)
  • Orangerie (오랑주리)
  • Foret M (포레엠)
• What To Know About Gisan Reservoir (기산저수지)
• Cafes Near Gisan Reservoir
  • Brewda (브루다 양주점)
  • Danggung (단궁)
• What You Can See Nearby
• What Else You Can See In Paju

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How To Get To Majang Lake

Address: 365 Gisan-ro Gwangtan-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 파주시 광탄면 기산로 365)

By Subway/Bus: Get your T-Money card purchased and topped off. From Gupabal Subway Station, go out of exit 4 and find the bus stop #12113 and take bus 333. The bus will take about 46 minutes. You’ll want to get off at bus stop #31907 which is Gisan 2-ri Village. From there you’ll need to walk a bit in the same direction that the bus was headed but it’s not too far. There are cafes and restaurants surrounding the lake and you can spot the suspension bridge once you get up to the top of the dam.

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What To Know About Majang Lake (마장호수)

After we visited the Majang Lake (마장호수), located northwest of Seoul, a couple years ago after glamping nearby, I have gone back again and again. Since we live on the west side of Seoul, it’s an easy trip straight north for us.

They actually built a suspension bridge that crosses the lake there that at 220 meters was the longest suspension bridge in South Korea. It might still be, but who knows? I don’t know if you noticed, but there have been a string of new suspension bridges built across Korea in the last few years and each one gets just ever so slightly longer so it can claim the top spot. Want some more to check out? Here are the ones I’ve found so far:

• Gamaksan Suspension Bridge: This suspension bridge is 150 meters across the Silmari Valley and was the longest when it was first built. Gamaksan Mountain is described as ‘the closest mountain to the DMZ’. This suspension bridge is on a mountain but also not a terribly difficult one to get to. To check out more about this bridge, read this post about the Gamaksan Suspension Brudge.
• Buhang Dam Suspension Bridge: Completed at the end of 2018, this bridge was or maybe still is, the longest suspension bridge in Korea at 256 meters. The best thing about this one is that it’s also easy to walk to without hiking AND it’s near the Rainbow Zip Wire and Sky Walk. Check out the zip wire, sky walk, and suspension bridge in Buhang here.

Anyway, it’s fun to find them, but I can’t keep up with which is the longest now.

(Quick note: If you love the photos above this “quick note”, go and check out more of Celia’s work on Instagram. You can even hire her for shoots. Go go go!)

Majang Lake is pretty awesome if you’re someone like me with a small child or if you’re someone that doesn’t really want to hike to get to said suspension bridge. This reservoir features a wooden boardwalk that circles the entire lake so it’s a flat easy walk around. Because it’s so easy to access nature here, you can bet that on the weekends it can be pretty busy.

The first time we went it was a Sunday and the bridge was packed. The second time, it was a weekday and just getting into spring and it was pretty empty as you can see from our pictures. The crowds come and go here I would say, but if you get there early enough on the weekend, you should be fine or if you go on the weekdays, you’ll definitely enjoy some calm nature surroundings. It is really a great place to get away a bit.

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Cafes Near Majang Lake

Red Bridge Cafe (레드브릿지)

This cafe was a new addition to the area this year and it has become pretty popular straight from the start. It’s large and has multiple floors so lots of space to spread out. There are various seating types from standard tables and chairs, sofas, floor seating with Korean style floor tables, and even a rooftop “picnic” style area. One floor features an airway that is perfect for hopscotch… or really just photos but hopscotch if you have a five year old.

There’s also a glass bridge that juts out to make it look like you’re walking on water if you want. There are some really great photo-ops here and the pastries and coffee were spot on too. It’s a win for sure. Do note that if you’re driving, they have a VERY small parking lot with only about 10 spots.

• Address: 329 Gisan-ro Gwangtan-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 파주시 광탄면 기산로 329)
• Hours: Every day: 10:00am ~ 7:00pm

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Orangerie (오랑주리)

This is the first greenhouse cafe that I visited and after doing so I set about searching for as many as I could find. This cafe is built with both an indoor cafe area and a greenhouse area that is built alongside a rocky hillside. All of the glass walls mean that you see green green green from every angle.

In a country that often has issues with high levels of dust, this is the kind of place that you just have to find especially when the air quality is bad. This cafe isn’t right ON Majang Reservoir which means it’s perfect for weekends when the parking around the reservoir can fill up. Don’t miss a stop here if you need some oxygen straight from the floral and fauna source.

• Address: 423-19 Gisan-ro, Baekseok-eub, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 양주시 백석읍 기산로 423-19)
• Hours: Every day 11:00am ~ 9:00pm

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Foret M (포레엠)

This cafe is pretty new and so new in fact that there are still areas of the grounds that are being built. Don’t let that keep you away though, the main building is built and up and running and it features numerous rooms with different and lovely bohemian summer vibes. There seemed to be a few different outdoor spaces that are in the works.

It’s a really beautiful cafe that serves up pastries and coffees if you want something light, but also salads and pastas if you want lunch. This one of those places that I’d probably just get pastries next time.

• Address: 556 Gisan-ro Baekseok-eub, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 양주시 백석읍 기산로 556)
• Hours: Every day: 11:00am ~ 9:00pm

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What To Know About Gisan Reservoir (기산저수지)

Once Majang Lake started getting popular this past year, you can bet I started branching out which is when I came upon very nearby but not so touristy (yet) Gisan Reservoir. Actually connected to Majang Lake via a stream, Gisan Reservoir is only a bit away from the larger lake but definitely quieter.

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Cafes Near Gisan Reservoir

Brewda (브루다 양주점)

Taking a note from the Red Bridge Cafe mentioned above and the popular mirror sided boardwalk, Brewda is a beautiful white two story building with a mirrored boardwalk too. Though slightly shorter than Red Bridge, Brewda was nice and quiet and had plenty of seating both indoors and outside. We took advantage of the great bread inside and stocked up as we headed off to a nearby museum.

• Address: 909 Gwonyul-ro, Baekseok-eub, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 양주시 백석읍 권율로 909)
• Hours: Weekdays: 11:00am ~ 7:00pm; Weekends: 11:00am ~ 8:00pm

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Danggung (단궁)

This is a beautiful Hanok cafe with both a modern interior on one side and a more traditional interior on the other. There is also a rather spacious yard though it was raining the day we went, so we didn’t get to enjoy it as much. This is a beautiful place to get a view out over the reservoir. However, do note that the drinks and eats here were quite a bit more expensive than other cafes in the area. You’re paying for that traditional Hanok and view.

• Address: 875 Gwonyul-ro, Baekseok-eub, Yangju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기 양주시 백석읍 권율로 875)
• Hours: Weekdays: 12:00pm ~ 8:00pm; Weekends: 11:00pm ~ 8:00pm

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What You Can See Nearby

If lakes and suspension bridges aren’t quite enough to fill your day, there are a few other things to see very nearby. Head just south to Jangheung where you can see the Jangheung Gana Art Park, especially great if you have children, the Jangheung Botanical Garden, the Chang Ucchin Museum of Art, or the Ilyeong Herb Land. Find out more here about Jangheung and what to do there.

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What Else You Can See In Paju

Paju is one of my FAVORITE places to visit near Seoul. The great thing about the area is that there is so much to do and it’s easy to spread out too. Here are some other places in the area you can visit and connect to an itinerary for a day trip outside of Seoul.

First Garden

This is a great botanical garden with a beautiful greenhouse and plenty of flowers to see from spring through autumn. There are five areas in the garden and the greenhouse houses some huge tropical plants. There is a giant bird house for peacocks and picturesque tree lined lanes. There are beautiful golden reeds in the autumn much like Haneul Park but way less crowded and there are a couple cafes and restaurants too. If you want more information on First Garden, check out this blog post.

Heyri Art Village

This has been one of our favorite go-to spots in Paju for the numerous experiential programs for both adults and children as well as interesting architectural buildings and tons of cafes and restaurants. It’s pretty much the best place to spend a day if you want something interesting and new to check out. Here’s a guide to the Heyri Art Village In Paju.

Nuri Peace Park

The Nuri Peace Park is an area in the Imjingak Resort area which is where tours into the DMZ begin but you don’t even have to go into the DMZ to have an interesting time. Nuri Peace Park is home to some relics and artifacts to peruse regarding North Korea but it was also built to promote peace between North and South Korea so there are often events there. There’s also a small amusement park there if you have kids. Get more information about Nuri Peace Park here.

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