Yanji

Yanji (延吉) is the capital of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in eastern Jilin Province, near the border with North Korea. Yanji is the cultural heart of China's ethnic Korean community — the largest population of ethnic Koreans living outside the Korean Peninsula. The city is a fascinating fusion of Chinese and Korean cultures, visible in its bilingual signs (Chinese and Hangul), its cuisine, its architecture, and the daily lives of its residents. Unlike many Chinese cities of its size, Yanji is notably clean, peaceful, and easy to navigate.

Korean migration to the Yanji area began after a series of famines struck the Korean Peninsula in 1869. Today, while there are some expatriates from both North and South Korea, most of the ethnic Koreans here hold Chinese citizenship and speak both Korean and Mandarin. The local dialect is Hamgyong Korean, and all official signs appear in both Chinese characters and Hangul.

Yanji has a continental climate with long, cold winters (average January −12°C) and warm, humid summers (July 22°C). The best times to visit are late spring (May–June) and autumn (September–October). The city is not a major sightseeing destination; its appeal lies in its unique cultural atmosphere, excellent Korean-Chinese cuisine, and abundant coffee culture.

By Plane

Yanji Chaoyangchuan International Airport (YNJ, IATA) is 6 km west of the train station with daily flights from major Chinese cities and direct flights from Seoul, South Korea. A taxi to the city centre costs about ¥20–30.

By Train

Yanji West Station (延吉西站) serves the high-speed railway with connections to Changchun (3 hours), Beijing (10 hours), and Dalian. Yanji Station (延吉站) on the conventional line handles slower, cheaper trains.

By Car / Road

Yanji is connected via the G12 Hunchun–Ulanhot Expressway. Long-distance buses connect to Changbaishan (3–5 hours), Beihe (4 hours), and other Jilin destinations. The main bus station is Dongbeiya Keyun Zhan, northeast of the train station.

Yanji is a small city by Chinese standards. Taxis are plentiful with a flagfall of ¥5. Ride-hailing apps like Didi are available — pick-up at the airport is from the parking lot across from the taxi queue. Bus fares are ¥1–2 and routes are marked in both Chinese and Korean. Services on some lines stop as early as 18:00. Bicycle sharing is not available (as of 2025). An electronic bus card can be obtained through Alipay.

• Korean Folk Customs Park (中国朝鲜族民俗园): A re-creation of a traditional Korean village with shops, restaurants, and cultural displays. Free entry. Bus nos. 1, 16, 21, 32, 41, 43, 46.

• Yanbian Museum (延边博物馆): Exhibits on the history and culture of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture. Free entry. Bus no. 28.

• Mao'er Mountain (帽儿山): A hill on the outskirts with hiking trails and views over the city and surrounding countryside.

• Yanji University (延边大学): The campus has a nice blend of Chinese and Korean architectural styles.

• Russian-style buildings: A few relatively new buildings in Russian revival style add visual interest to the cityscape.

• Coffee shop hopping: Yanji has an extraordinary number of excellent coffee shops — arguably the best coffee scene in Northeast China.

• Korean-Chinese food tour: Spend an evening sampling the unique fusion cuisine along the main food streets.

• Wander the backstreets: The residential areas, with their mix of Korean and Chinese daily life, are great for aimless exploration.

• Visit during a Korean festival: The Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture celebrates Korean cultural festivals with music, dance, and food.

Yanji's cuisine is the main reason to visit — a unique Korean-Chinese fusion found nowhere else:

• Cold noodles (冷面): Naengmyeon in Korean — Yanji's cold noodle soup is famous throughout China. Served in an icy beef broth with sliced pear, cucumber, egg, and beef.
• Korean BBQ (烤肉): Tableside-grilled pork belly and beef short ribs, wrapped in lettuce with ssamjang sauce.
• Ginseng chicken soup (参鸡汤): A whole young chicken stuffed with ginseng, rice, and jujubes, slow-simmered.
• Kimchi jjigae (泡菜汤): Spicy kimchi stew — a Korean staple made with local Yanbian kimchi.
• Tteokbokki (炒年糕): Spicy stir-fried rice cakes in gochujang sauce, widely available from street vendors.

Coffee culture is huge in Yanji — the city has more cafes per capita than almost any other Chinese city. Korean-style cafes serve excellent espresso drinks, traditional Korean teas, and shaved ice desserts (bingsu). Local soju and makgeolli (Korean rice wine) are available in Korean restaurants.

• Budget: Yanji Youth Hostel (延吉青年旅舍) — dorm beds from ¥50/night.
• Mid-range: Yanbian Hotel (延边宾馆) — a comfortable business hotel, from ¥250/night.
• Upscale: HNA Hotel Yanji (延吉海航大酒店) — the best in town with Korean-style hospitality, from ¥400/night.

Korean cosmetics and skincare products are popular purchases in Yanji. Korean groceries (instant noodles, snacks, sauces) are available in dedicated Korean markets. Local ginseng products and Korean-style textiles are also good souvenirs.

• Tumen (50 km east, 1 hour by train) — border city on the Tumen River with views into North Korea.
• Hunchun (120 km southeast, 1.5 hours by train) — tri-border area where China, Russia, and North Korea meet.
• Changbaishan (长白山) (200 km south, 3–5 hours by bus) — stunning volcanic lake and mountain, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• Jilin City (300 km west, 3 hours by train) — famous for rime ice on the Songhua River in winter.