Paju

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City in Gyeonggi, South Korea

title: "Paju" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["paju", "cities-in-gyeonggi-province"] description: "City in Gyeonggi, South Korea" topic_path: "geography" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paju" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary City in Gyeonggi, South Korea ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

FieldValue
namePaju
native_name파주시
settlement_typeMunicipal city
translit_lang1Korean
image_skylineImjingangRailRoad.jpg
image_captionRail line crossing the Imjin River
image_mapGyeonggi-Paju.svg
map_captionLocation in South Korea
pushpin_map#South Korea #Korea
pushpin_label_positionright
coordinates
subdivision_typeCountry
subdivision_nameSouth Korea
subdivision_type1Region
subdivision_name1Gyeonggi Province (Sudogwon)
parts_typeAdministrative divisions
parts4 eup, 9 myeon, 10 dong
area_total_km2672.78
population_total520803
population_as_ofMarch 2024
population_density_km2auto
population_blank1_titleDialect
population_blank1Seoul
government_footnotes
leader_titlemayor
leader_nameKim Gyeong-il ()
leader_name1
translit_lang1_type1Hangul
translit_lang1_info1파주시
translit_lang1_type2Hanja
translit_lang1_info2坡州市
translit_lang1_type3Revised Romanization
translit_lang1_info3Paju-si
translit_lang1_type4McCune–Reischauer
translit_lang1_info4P'aju-si
image_flagFlag of Paju.svg
::

| name = Paju | native_name = 파주시 | settlement_type = Municipal city | translit_lang1 = Korean | image_skyline = ImjingangRailRoad.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Rail line crossing the Imjin River | image_blank_emblem = | blank_emblem_type = | image_map = Gyeonggi-Paju.svg | mapsize = | map_caption = Location in South Korea | pushpin_map = #South Korea #Korea | pushpin_label_position = right | coordinates = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = South Korea | subdivision_type1 = Region | subdivision_name1 = Gyeonggi Province (Sudogwon) | parts_type = Administrative divisions | parts = 4 eup, 9 myeon, 10 dong | area_total_km2 = 672.78 | population_total = 520803 | population_as_of = March 2024 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_blank1_title = Dialect | population_blank1 = Seoul | government_footnotes = tags -- | leader_party = | leader_title = mayor | leader_name = Kim Gyeong-il () | leader_title1 = | leader_name1 = | translit_lang1_type1 = Hangul | translit_lang1_info1 = 파주시 | translit_lang1_type2 = Hanja | translit_lang1_info2 = 坡州市 | translit_lang1_type3 = Revised Romanization | translit_lang1_info3 = Paju-si | translit_lang1_type4 = McCune–Reischauer | translit_lang1_info4 = P'aju-si | image_flag = Flag of Paju.svg

Paju (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county (gun).

The city area of Paju is 672.78 km2, and it is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. In 2024, the population of Paju was over 501,000. To defend the South Korean capital, Seoul, many U.S. and South Korean Army bases are set up in the area. In 2002, the northernmost South Korean railway station, Dorasan, was opened on the Gyeongui Line. North Korean territory and the city Kaesong can be seen from Paju's mountain Dorasan.

Paju has seen steady residential growth due to its proximity to Seoul. The city is connected to Seoul via the Gyeongui–Jungang Line and several express bus routes, with travel times to central Seoul typically under an hour. These transportation links have contributed to Paju’s development as a commuter city. In addition to residential areas, Paju is home to cultural and tourism sites such as Heyri Art Valley, Paju Book City, and Imjingak Peace Park, attracting both residents and visitors. The city also hosts several large-scale retail complexes, including Shinsegae Paju Premium Outlets and Lotte Premium Outlet Paju Branch, which attract significant foot traffic from nearby regions.

City symbols

Cosmos

The cosmos is a representative flower that grows during spring in Paju. It has very strong vitality, and symbolizes unity and harmonious life as a citizen of Paju. The flowers have different colors, including pale pink and red.

Ginkgo

Ginkgos are usually planted as street trees. People can obtain high-quality wood from them. Also, their leaves and fruits are used as a valuable medicine.

Pigeon

Pigeons are meek and gentle with soft feathers that follow humans well. They symbolize the peace and security of mankind, and they mean to desire the unification of the Korean Peninsula and the well-being of citizens.

Badge of Paju

The badge brings the look of Paju implicitly. Semiconductors, which symbolize high-tech industry, high-quality culture, and books, and life based on the shape of the rice industry, have represented the badge with the symbol Paju logo.

Geography

Paju has lowlands in the east and west. Many mountains are also located in eastern Paju, forming the border with Yangju. In northern Paju, mountains form the border with Goyang. Moreover, in central Paju, some lower mountains spread towards the south. The major rivers in Paju are the Imjin River and the Han River. The Imjin River flows from the northwest to the west, and the Han River flows in the southwest of Paju.

Climate

Paju has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Köppen: Dwa) with cold, dry winters and hot, rainy summers. The average annual temperature of Paju is 11 °C, the average January temperature is -4.6 °C and the average temperature is 25 °C in August. Lastly, the annual precipitation of Paju is around 1,300 mm. | location = Paju (2002–2020 normals, extremes 2002–present) | metric first = Y | single line = Y

| Jan record high C = 13.4 | Feb record high C = 17.4 | Mar record high C = 23.1 | Apr record high C = 32.0 | May record high C = 32.0 | Jun record high C = 35.3 | Jul record high C = 36.7 | Aug record high C = 37.6 | Sep record high C = 34.5 | Oct record high C = 29.0 | Nov record high C = 26.1 | Dec record high C = 16.2 | year record high C = 37.6

| Jan high C = 1.8 | Feb high C = 5.2 | Mar high C = 11.2 | Apr high C = 17.9 | May high C = 23.8 | Jun high C = 27.5 | Jul high C = 28.8 | Aug high C = 29.9 | Sep high C = 26.1 | Oct high C = 20.3 | Nov high C = 11.6 | Dec high C = 3.2 | year high C = 17.3

| Jan mean C = -4.6 | Feb mean C = -1.3 | Mar mean C = 4.4 | Apr mean C = 10.8 | May mean C = 16.8 | Jun mean C = 21.4 | Jul mean C = 24.2 | Aug mean C = 24.9 | Sep mean C = 19.9 | Oct mean C = 12.6 | Nov mean C = 5.2 | Dec mean C = -2.6 | year mean C = 11.0

| Jan low C = -10.6 | Feb low C = -7.3 | Mar low C = -1.9 | Apr low C = 4.1 | May low C = 10.7 | Jun low C = 16.5 | Jul low C = 20.8 | Aug low C = 21.2 | Sep low C = 15.1 | Oct low C = 6.5 | Nov low C = -0.4 | Dec low C = -8.0 | year low C = 5.6

| Jan record low C = -25.9 | Feb record low C = -24.6 | Mar record low C = -10.9 | Apr record low C = -5.0 | May record low C = 1.7 | Jun record low C = 9.1 | Jul record low C = 14.3 | Aug record low C = 11.5 | Sep record low C = 4.2 | Oct record low C = -5.5 | Nov record low C = -11.1 | Dec record low C = -20.1 | year record low C = -25.9

| precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 17.4 | Feb precipitation mm = 27.9 | Mar precipitation mm = 31.5 | Apr precipitation mm = 74.2 | May precipitation mm = 102.0 | Jun precipitation mm = 107.4 | Jul precipitation mm = 395.2 | Aug precipitation mm = 282.9 | Sep precipitation mm = 134.5 | Oct precipitation mm = 50.1 | Nov precipitation mm = 52.7 | Dec precipitation mm = 20.0 | year precipitation mm = 1295.8

| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm | Jan precipitation days = 4.6 | Feb precipitation days = 5.1 | Mar precipitation days = 7.0 | Apr precipitation days = 8.9 | May precipitation days = 8.9 | Jun precipitation days = 9.9 | Jul precipitation days = 15.8 | Aug precipitation days = 14.5 | Sep precipitation days = 8.4 | Oct precipitation days = 5.7 | Nov precipitation days = 8.8 | Dec precipitation days = 7.4 | year precipitation days =

| Jan humidity = 65.2 | Feb humidity = 62.7 | Mar humidity = 62.2 | Apr humidity = 63.0 | May humidity = 69.6 | Jun humidity = 75.0 | Jul humidity = 84.1 | Aug humidity = 83.5 | Sep humidity = 79.4 | Oct humidity = 74.8 | Nov humidity = 71.4 | Dec humidity = 68.1 | year humidity = 71.6

| Jan sun = 193.0 | Feb sun = 184.2 | Mar sun = 212.4 | Apr sun = 208.8 | May sun = 234.4 | Jun sun = 209.1 | Jul sun = 137.6 | Aug sun = 171.1 | Sep sun = 187.5 | Oct sun = 210.8 | Nov sun = 163.6 | Dec sun = 175.8 | year sun = 2288.3

| source = Korea Meteorological Administration | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220129211110/https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf | archive-date = 29 January 2022 | url = https://data.kma.go.kr/resources/normals/pdf_data/korea_pdf_0106_v2.pdf | title = Climatological Normals of Korea (1991 ~ 2020) | publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration | access-date = 7 June 2023 | language = ko}} | url = https://data.kma.go.kr/climate/extremum/selectExtremumList.do?pgmNo=103 | publisher = Korea Meteorological Administration | access-date = 4 April 2022 | script-title = ko:순위값 – 구역별조회 | language = ko}}

Tourist attractions

Heyri Art Valley

Heyri Art Valley is the largest art village in South Korea, and its Korean culture and many genres of art attract visitors. The area includes residences, workrooms, and galleries for artists, museums, and performance spaces designed by artists. It was planned from 1998, and its name, Heyri, is derived from a traditional farming song of Paju. Architects tried to combine the view of nature with the valley when they made plans. The valley hosts art performances appealing to audiences of all ages. The attractive theme brings people to visit every weekend, and more people visit the valley in spring and autumn because it holds an art festival during these seasons.

Imjingak

Imjingak is a park located on the banks of the Imjin River along the tracks of the former Gyeongui Train Line outside Paju. The park has many statues and monuments regarding the Korean War. There is also a restaurant, an observation deck, a pool in the shape of the Korean peninsula, and even a small amusement park.

Specialties

Jangdan bean

Jangdan beans are one of Paju's famous traditional specialties. For a long time, crops have been important for Korean people's livelihood because their land and environment were suited for agriculture. Therefore, two major crops, rice and beans, have been developed over time. Jangdan bean is one of these crops that has been harvested in Paju. The name Jangdan is derived from the name of a village in Paju, which existed before the Korean War. Even though the village is now gone, people still call the bean the Jangdan bean because the former village was so well known for these beans. Today, Jangdan beans are only commonly seen in Panmunjom, which is located at the border between South Korea and North Korea.

Education

The city has three polytechnic universities, including Doowon Technical University College.

Paju English Village

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Paju_Englush_Village.jpg"] ::

Paju English Village is a large area that was constructed to teach children English and let them experience Western culture. Hundreds of foreign teachers are employed in the village. The educational village has various curricula to provide several educational programs called "English Camp". To attend the programs, children's parents have to pay and send their children to the village for several days. The length of the program depends on the type of program. People also visit the village because of its visual and new cultural atmosphere.

Sports

Paju Challengers is an independent baseball team that has been based in the city.

Paju Frontier will compete in K League 2 from 2026 season after last play in 2025 K3 League due to switch from semi-profesional to professional team.

Administrative divisions

Paju is divided as follows:

  • Beobwon-eup ()
  • Paju-eup ()
  • Munsan-eup ()
  • Jori-eup ()
  • Wollong-myeon ()
  • Papyeong-myeon ()
  • Jeokseong-myeon ()
  • Gwangtan-myeon ()
  • Tanhyeon-myeon ()
  • Gunnae-myeon ()
  • Jangdan-myeon ()
  • Jinseo-myeon ()
  • Jindong-myeon ()
  • Gyoha-dong ()
  • Geumchon1(il)-dong ()
    • Geumchon-dong ()
    • Adong-dong ()
    • Yadong-dong ()
    • Geomsan-dong ()
    • Maekgeum-dong ()
  • Geumchon-2(ii)-dong ()
    • Geumchon-dong ()
    • Geumneung-dong ()
  • Unjeong 1(il)-dong ()
    • Gyoha-dong ()
    • Dangha-dong ()
    • Wadong-dong ()
  • Unjeong 2(i)-dong ()
    • Mokdong-dong ()
  • Unjeong 3(Sam)-dong ()
    • Dongpae-dong ()
    • Yadang-dong ()

Military bases

  • Camp Bonifas and Camp Liberty-Bell (home to US/ROKA Joint Security Area)
  • Camp Dodge – closed
  • Camp Edwards – closed
  • Camp Garry Owen – closed
  • Camp Giant – closed
  • Camp Greaves – closed
  • Camp Howze – closed
  • Camp Irwin – closed
  • Camp Pelham – closed
  • Camp Semper Fidelis (home of 1st Provisional DMZ Police Co., 1st Marine Div. 1953–1956)
  • Camp Stanton – closed
  • Multi-Purpose Live Fire Complex (MLFC), also called Rodriguez Range or Rodriguez Live Fire Complex

Military cemetery

The cemetery was established in 1996 to hold the remains of Korean People's Army and Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers killed during the Korean War. In March 2014 the Chinese remains were repatriated for reburial in Shenyang, China.

Attractions

Notable people

In popular culture

Sister cities

Paju is twinned with the following places:

References

References

  1. [https://www.paju.go.kr/www/intropaju/intropaju_03/intropaju_03_02.jsp script-title=ko:파주시 행정구역현황]
  2. [https://stat.kosis.kr/statHtml_host/statHtml.do?orgId=630&tblId=DT_001&dbUser=NSI_IN_630 script-title=ko:파주시 통계홈페이지]
  3. [http://en.paju.go.kr/ Welcome to Paju City]; {{webarchive. link. (2010-06-12)
  4. "Paju (Gyeonggi-do Province)." ''Naver Encyclopedia of Knowledge''. Naver, 2015. 4 Mar. 2016.
  5. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703350104575652151842812356 "South Korea's Paju Thrives Near the DMZ"], ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' 12 December 2012, retrieved 4 March 2015
  6. Paju City. "Symbols of Paju."2016. Web. 4 Mar. 2016.
  7. 100 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions. Gyeong Gi-Do, 19 May 2015. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.
  8. Hwang, Gyoik. "Paju Jangdan Bean." A Loaf of Bread Is Better than the Song of Many Birds. Naver Cast, 3 Nov. 2009. Web. 4 Mar. 2016.
  9. Yi, Hunbeomn. "Paju English Village Is Going To Open On Next Monday." Korea Joongang Daily [Seoul] 25 June 2010. Print.
  10. (June 10, 2000). "Remains of NK Soldiers Buried at Enemy Cemetery". [[Korea Times]].
  11. (January 20, 2014). "S. Korea, China to hold talks on remains of Chinese war dead". [[GlobalPost]].
  12. Lee, Cin Woo. (16 March 2012). "Beyond Seoul: 19 reasons to explore Korea". CNN Go.
  13. Lee Tae-hoon. (February 20, 2012). "Business booms for illegal brothels on South Korea border". [[The Korea Times]].
  14. "South Korea opens its first Holocaust Museum, marking a new chapter in historical memory – The Gospel Herald".
  15. "Sister cities of Paju". Paju.

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pajucities-in-gyeonggi-province