Yanji Travel Guide: A Culinary Adventure and Ethnic Korean Charm in a Border Town

Yanji Travel Guide: A Culinary Adventure and Ethnic Korean Charm in a Border Town

📍 Why Visit Yanji?
Yanji, an underrated border town in Northeast China, sits along the China-North Korea border as the capital of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Jilin. With its bilingual street signs, authentic Korean cuisine, and unique ethnic culture, it’s a paradise for foodies and cultural travelers!

🍜【Must-Do in Yanji】

1. Eat! Eat! Eat! A Feast of Korean Delicacies
Yanji’s food alone is worth a special trip!

✅ Naengmyeon (Cold Noodles):
- Seobinggo Naengmyeon (a time-honored spot, sweet, sour, and refreshing)
- Shunji Naengmyeon (perfect with crispy sweet and sour pork!)

✅ BBQ & Skewers:
- Jinli Skewers (locals’ favorite, tender meat)
- Dapu BBQ (Korean-style, great value)

✅ Soup & Bibimbap:
- Jeonju Bibimbap (the best stone pot bibimbap)
- Grandma Won’s Wrapped Rice (pork belly wraps, fragrant but not greasy)

✅ Snacks & Markets:
- Water Market (morning market! Rice cakes, blood sausage, kimchi, soy milk)
- West Market (buy specialties: dried pollock, spicy sauce, rice wine)

2. Experience Korean Ethnic Culture
✅ China Korean Folk Village (wear hanbok for photos, feel like a K-drama star)
✅ Yanbian University & Viral "Bullet Screen" Wall (bilingual signs, perfect for photos)
✅ Tumen Half-Day Trip (China-North Korea border, glimpse North Korea’s Namyang)

3. Nightlife & Coffee Culture
☕ Yanji Cafés:
- Laodingben Coffee (must-try "Laodingben bread")
- Houlang Coffee (viral "Yanji" cup sleeve photo op)

🍺 Bars & Night Markets:
- Beida Night Market (full of local flavor)
- Lidi Bar (Korean DJs, K-pop club vibe)

🚗【Recommended Itinerary】
2-3 days to explore it all!

Day 1: City Exploration + Eating Spree
- Morning: Water Market (breakfast) → West Market (shopping)
- Noon: Jeonju Bibimbap/Shunji Naengmyeon
- Afternoon: Yanbian University + "Bullet Screen" Wall → Korean Folk Village (hanbok photos)
- Evening: Jinli Skewers/Dapu BBQ → Lidi Bar/Night Market

Day 2: Tumen Border Half-Day Trip
- 15-min high-speed train to Tumen, 🌍 snap pics at the national gate and border monument, view North Korea

Day 3: Changbai Mountain Day Trip (Optional)
- 2.5-hour car ride to Changbai Mountain North Slope 🍀, see Heaven Lake + hot springs

📌【Travel Tips】
✔ Best Season: June-October (cool summers, colorful autumn foliage)
✔ Transport: High-speed train to Yanji West Station, taxis start at ¥5 in the city
✔ Stay: Near Yanbian University for convenience

Yanji—a small town that captivates with food and culture. Pack your appetite and go! 🚄🍢📸