It has just opened its doors to the public – it did so last weekend – and it is already emerging as one of the great places to add to the itinerary of those who visit Seoul and its surroundings from now on. And it’s not just any attraction; This is the Starfield Library Suwon, a colossal library located inside a new shopping center in Suwon, a city located about thirty kilometers from the capital of South Korea.
The opening, one of the most anticipated events in this town, had raised great expectations among its 1.2 million inhabitants after the first images were published days before its official opening. And the lines did not wait long. During the first two days, the chaos caused by the curious – it is estimated that it attracted more than 230,000 people – collapsed the streets, forcing the authorities to divert traffic from the area.
The new library has been described by those who have already visited it as the most spectacular in the country, surpassing in size the iconic Starfield COEX in Seoul, which since its opening in 2017 has been a tourist attraction in itself thanks to its design. Unlike this one, the new book sanctuary occupies a unique 22-meter-high space in the heart of the brand-new mall.
The volumes are distributed orderly on four floors – from the fourth to the seventh floor – on very high wooden shelves presided over by a central staircase, creating a solemn atmosphere that ignites the imagination of literature lovers. The original decoration is complemented by a set of brightly colored sculptures with a planetary theme that flies over space.
Despite being an open establishment of gigantic dimensions, the library houses countless corners and study rooms on various floors, where you can work, disconnect, relax or socialize. Likewise, its design has also taken into account other uses: that of being the scene of cultural events, such as conferences or concerts.
In just a few days, photographs and videos of the Starfield Library Suwon have not stopped multiplying on social networks. This circumstance predicts a promising future for him as an Instagram star, next to the Starfield COEX library.
Seoul and its surroundings have a set of libraries whose visual beauty is beyond doubt. Beyond the two Starfields, the characteristics of the different facilities make them worth a visit, especially if the traveler is looking for a quiet space. Aware of the growing interest among tourists, local authorities have strengthened their external promotion.
One of them is Bookpark Lounge, a unique venue located in the Blue Square cultural complex. This cafeteria-library is a place where you can enjoy a day of reading and relaxing, after paying an entrance fee. Very different, but no less unique, is the Seoul Book Bogo, also known as Seoul Book Depository, an establishment with more than 120,000 second-hand titles collected from old bookstores throughout the city. Its most prominent visual element is its arched shelves, which offer the sensation of walking under a tunnel of books.
A third center to take into account, totally different from the previous ones, is located in Jongno-gu, a busy and historic area on the outskirts of the capital, at the foot of Inwangsan Mountain. The first traditional hanok library – the traditional Korean architectural style – is built there. This is the Cheongun Literature Library, a construction with wooden walls and a roof of ancient tiles surrounded by a picturesque landscape that provides an extra bit of serenity in a hectic city.
