1. Introduction

In Korea, autumn is often referred to as the season of reading. This may be due to the pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold weather that makes it perfect for focusing on books. While I don’t read a lot of books in my everyday life, I decided to take a vacation to have some quiet, alone time.

Wanting to spend time in tranquility, I visited Library Stay Jijihyang in the Paju Book City. Paju is home to many publishers, and among them, the Wisdom Forest library offers accommodation and an environment where you can read books all night.

I spent two nights and three days there, quietly reading books and even writing blog posts. The peaceful and serene atmosphere was so delightful that I thought I would like to visit again when the time comes.

Working in Seoul, I commute on the hectic subway every day, living a busy life in the bustling and complex city. Seoul is truly too crowded, with everyone living their busy lives separately.

After spending time in a quiet place with a lower population density for the first time in a long while, I realized how enjoyable it was. Taking a weekday vacation also contributed to this. I’ve heard that even this place gets crowded on weekends.

There are two spaces where you can read books, one is Forest of Wisdom, and the other is Moonbal Salon. Forest of Wisdom is a spacious place where anyone can come and read books. Moonbal Salon, on the other hand, is only available for use 24 hours a day for those staying at Library Stay Jijihyang.

Moonbal Salon has a more comfortable and cozy atmosphere. In both places, you can bring the books you want to read, sit at the desk, read them, and then return them to their place.

It’s worth noting that if you’re staying at the accommodation, you can also take the books to your room to read after informing the front desk.

2. Forest of wisdom (지혜의 숲)

The Forest of Wisdom… The name is so beautiful. A library named the Forest of Wisdom, it’s such a romantic name.

Anyway, you can spend time here reading books. There’s also a café inside, so it would be nice to have a quiet reading time while enjoying coffee or a beverage.

• Address in Korean: 경기 파주시 회동길 145 아시아출판문화정보센터
• Homepage

3. Moonbal salon (문발살롱)

Moonbal Salon is decorated in a more comfortable atmosphere, allowing for a more relaxed reading posture. Since it operates 24 hours, those staying in the vicinity can read books or do other activities here throughout the night.

When I visited, there were no people reading books all night, and I stayed until around 11 pm, then went back to my room to rest. I needed some rest for the next day’s schedule.

4. Library Stay Jijihyang in Paju Book City (지지향)

I stayed for 2 nights at Labrary Stay Jijihyang in Paju Book City and stayed in different rooms.
One was a Twin Regular and the other was a Korean Regular.
Additionally, they have larger Superior rooms and Triple Regular rooms with beds for three people. The rooms are prepared clean and neat.

<Twin regular>

<Korean regular>

There is no TV in the room, but instead, each room is equipped with books, so you can read these or the books borrowed from the Forest of Wisdom or Moonbal Salon. When we come to a hotel, we tend to unconsciously turn on the TV, but here, you can fully immerse yourself in books and contemplation, which I really liked.

• Address in Korean: 경기 파주시 회동길 145 아시아출판문화정보센터
• Homepage

5. Restaurants

In the Forest of Wisdom and Library Stay Jijihyang, there are two restaurants: Moonbal Dining, a Korean restaurant, and 9 Block, a Western-style restaurant.

I. Moonbal restaruant (문발식당)

Moonbal restaurant offers a discounted breakfast to guests who make reservations by the previous day, available until 8 pm. (11,000 won)

I didn’t have breakfast there; instead, I ordered the stir-fried spicy pork, and it was quite delicious and very satisfying. The taste was not too spicy, which suited my palate well.

II. 9 block in the Paju book city

I didn’t have a meal here, but I heard that the food is quite delicious. It’s a Western-style restaurant, so it might be a good idea to come and have a meal.

Parking is free when you stay here. I stayed at Jijihyang for accommodation and only read books at the Forest of Wisdom, but there are a lot of book cafes around this area where you can enjoy reading.

I recommend taking a stroll and exploring other book cafes or the publishing district within Paju Book City.

Moreover, while walking around, you might come across a traditional Korean house (Hanok), which seems to harmonize well with the quaint charm of the publishing district. I highly recommend taking a morning walk in the area.

Library Stay Jijihyang in the Paju Book city is a sanctuary where you can escape the noise and stress of the city to find relaxation and tranquility.

Here, through reading, you can discover yourself and heal your mind. Jijihyang, accompanying you on your journey, always welcomes you and will provide you with peaceful moments. Now, head to Jijihyang. Your romantic story will begin there.

<Paju Book City>