Paju

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Template:Short description {{#invoke:other uses|otheruses}} Template:Multiple issues Template:Infobox settlement

Paju (Template:Korean; Template:IPA) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county (gun).<ref>Welcome to Paju City; Template:Webarchive</ref>

The city area of Paju is Template:Convert,<ref name=":0">"Paju (Gyeonggi-do Province)." Naver Encyclopedia of Knowledge. Naver, 2015. 4 Mar. 2016.</ref> and it is located just south of Panmunjeom on the 38th parallel. In 2024, the population of Paju was over 501,000.<ref name=":0" /> To defend the South Korean capital, Seoul, many U.S. and South Korean Army bases are set up in the area.<ref>"South Korea's Paju Thrives Near the DMZ", The Wall Street Journal 12 December 2012, retrieved 4 March 2015</ref> In 2002, the northernmost South Korean railway station, Dorasan, was opened on the Gyeongui Line.Template:Fact 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.Template:Fact

Ginkgo

Ginkgos are usually planted as street trees. People can obtain high-quality wood from them.Template:Citation needed 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.Template:Citation needed

Badge of Paju

The badge brings the look of Paju implicitly.Template:What 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.<ref>Paju City. "Symbols of Paju."2016. Web. 4 Mar. 2016.</ref>

Geography

Paju has lowlands in the east and west.Template:Fact 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.Template:Fact

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.<ref name=":0" /> Template:Weather box

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.<ref>100 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions. Gyeong Gi-Do, 19 May 2015. Web. 04 Mar. 2016.</ref>

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.Template:Fact

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.<ref>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.</ref>

Education

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

Paju English Village

File:Paju Englush Village.jpg

Paju English Village is a large area that was constructed to teach children English and let them experience Western culture.Template:Fact 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.<ref>Yi, Hunbeomn. "Paju English Village Is Going To Open On Next Monday." Korea Joongang Daily [Seoul] 25 June 2010. Print.</ref>

Sports

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

Paju FC 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:

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March 2014 the Chinese remains were repatriated for reburial in Shenyang, China.<ref>Template:Cite news; Template:Cite news</ref>

Attractions

Notable people

Sister cities

Paju is twinned with the following places:<ref name="Paju-si">Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

References

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Template:Gyeonggi Template:Metropolitan cities of South Korea Template:Most populous cities in South Korea Template:Authority control

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