Photo taken on January 8, 2023, at the top of Changbai Mountain, northeast China’s Jilin Province (Photograph: Vincent Jeong/PKU News)

Editor’s note: This year marks the 125th anniversary of Peking University, and it is also designated as PKU's Global Engagement Year. To commemorate this special occasion, PKU News is publishing a collection of articles around the theme "China in My Eyes," which feature the fascinating and unforgettable accounts of its international students studying and living in China. From northeast China's Jilin Province to the panda-abundant southwest China's Sichuan Province, as well as the bustling capital city of Beijing – Peking University's diverse student body from around the world is eager to share their journeys and experiences in China. In the following article, please follow PKU student Vincent Jeong's adventure to the Changbai Mountain, a journey of exploring nature, embracing the unknown, and finding courage in between.

By Vincent Jeong

After a long and demanding semester, I knew that a winter getaway was inevitable. I decided to go for a hike atop the fabulous gorges of Changbai Mountain. Naturally, my friends and I were ready to explore cities like Changchun and Yanji (a county-level city in Jilin Province) and then drive to Changbai Mountain.

On January 3, 2023, with our bags fully packed, we set off for this incredible one-week journey.

Welcome to Changchun!

It took us no less than four hours to arrive in Changchun by high-speed rail. Upon our arrival, I immersed myself in observing the century-old landmarks and buildings that greeted us.

Following the check-in to the hotel, we headed out to Jilin Boulevard, which is like Beijing’s Wudaokou (五道口) where young teenagers and college students would visit at night to try out different varieties of street food. After having to taste sugar-coated haws and barbecues, our crew went back to the hotel to call it a night.

 First day in Changchun, Jilin Province

The following day, our team woke up early and headed to a restaurant for brunch that offered authentic cuisine from Northeastern China. Among the dishes we ordered were sweet and sour pork, sugar-coated baozi, pork ankle with wrapped flour, and potted lamb meat. After we finished our meal, we proceeded to visit the famous Jingyuetan Park(净月潭公园), a national scenic area.

The beauty of the park was indescribable. The forest, which stretched several kilometers across the river, was covered with a blanket of white snow, creating a spectacular view. Although we became tired after spending a few hours sightseeing in the snow, we still had one more place to visit before we ended our trip to Changchun. This place was called Zheyoushan (这有山), which literally means "there is a mountain here." 

Afterward, we were exhausted and starving, so we went to a barbecue restaurant for some meat and beer. We ended the night early to prepare for our next trip to Yanji, where we would be visiting the China-North Korea border. Who would have ever thought that I dared to visit the China-North Korea border?

 

Second day at Changchun-Jingyuetan and The Hill

Mission: Possible

To this day, Yanji still stands as a truly unforgettable place among my travels. It is located in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, which is home to the Korean ethnic group in China. The main language spoken by this group is the Chaoxian language (朝鲜语), which is a variant of Korean spoken in China. The Chinese government has made commendable efforts to preserve the language and culture of this community, which includes allowing stores in Yanji to write their signs in both Chinese and Korean, and providing education in Korean to the local population.

My buddy Victor and I decided to visit Tumen, a town near the North Korean border, to catch a glimpse of North Korea. It was a short 20-minute train ride from our starting point. I had never imagined that I would have the opportunity to see North Korea in person. Given the historical and ideological tensions between my country and North Korea, I was somewhat nervous. However, this visit to Tumen allowed me to overcome my fears and explore the unknown. It was a "Mission: Impossible" that became a "Mission: Possible." I am thrilled to have achieved one of my bucket list goals by seeing North Korea.

  First day at Yanbian-On the China-NK border

Upon returning to Yanji, our crew met at Yanbian University and took some pictures before strolling around the neighborhood. We then discovered a nearby restaurant that served pork and I used my charm and negotiation skills to persuade the manager to give us a table, sparing us from standing outside in the cold. That wonderful meal was a testament to my confidence.

The following morning, we headed to Yanji folk-culture village and dressed up as kings and queens to capture some stunning photographs. We then enjoyed lunch at Jeonju Bibimbap and spent the rest of the day exploring the Yanbian National Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the region's history. As the clock neared 5 p.m., we indulged in Korean shaved ice at a nearby café before hitting the road towards Changbai Mountain.

Second day at Yanbian-Dressing up as a king

With our bellies full, we arranged for a driver to deliver us to Changbai Mountain Resort which we knew in our hearts that the beautiful white wilderness of the mountain awaits us.

On Top of the World

Arriving at the Wanda Hotel at Changbai Mountain, we arranged for a vehicle in the next morning to take us to different places where we could try out new kinds of activities like river drifting, riding the snowmobile, and taking a horse ride within the Changbai Mountain Forest Park.

First day at Changbai Mountain-River drifting and riding the snowmobile

I assume it was probably a quarter past six did we get back to the hotel. We looked for a Korean barbecue restaurant and had some decent fried pork for dinner. While we were having a splendid meal, we reserved our ski uniforms in advance so that we can wear it for the next day during skiing. Dinner was over and it was time for us to go to bed.

The following day was jam-packed, starting with an early wake-up call to take a bus to the top of the mountain to see the Heaven Lake (天池). Standing atop the mountain, I felt like I was on top of the world, and even though Changbai Mountain doesn't compare in altitude to Mount Qomolangma, the view was breathtaking. Climbing the mountain was a mixture of freezing temperatures, anxiety, and exhilaration.

Having achieved one of our goals by reaching the top of Changbai Mountain, we returned to the hotel to get dressed in our ski uniforms for a night of skiing. We all hit the slopes together and had a great time. We then retreated to a cozy bar for drinks and some fireworks to celebrate the final night of our trip in Changbai Mountain, making memories that would last a lifetime.
 
 

Second day at Changbai Mountain-Group photo and Skiing

A Lovely Farewell

The famous saying “time flies like an arrow” perfectly captures the swift end of our one-week journey to Changbai Mountain as our crew members bid farewell in Changchun. Yet, reminiscing on the memories we created on this trip fills me with joy. This journey presented me with several indicators to grow up.

To begin with, traveling offers an opportunity to learn about the world from a different perspective, expanding my knowledge. I value the power of knowledge and, regardless of where one travels, I suggest seeking companionship. A good companion can offer insights that one may not have considered before, making the journey more meaningful.

Secondly, undertaking new challenges enables us to overcome our fears through confidence. A confident mindset can suppress any inner doubts, replacing them with courageous actions. My experiences in Yanji and Changbai Mountain exemplify how I tackled problems and explored alternatives with confidence.

Thirdly, every step of a journey is precious and should be cherished. Sharing one's experiences with others allows us to relive the journey and circulate our thoughts. I hope that my tale will inspire others to make brave decisions and engage with new environments, just like Changbai Mountain encouraged me to take one step at a time to reach its peak.

On a final note, I’d like to express my sincerest gratitude to my friends Victor, Andy, Jennifer, Vivian, and Colin, who made this journey even more memorable. You guys are the best!

Vincent Jeong is a postgraduate student from South Korea; he is currently studying international relations at Peking University.

Vincent Jeong with his friends

More in this series:

China in My Eyes | Vissly Chan and her Beijing museum-hopping in the winter break

China in My Eyes | Niki Qiu’s ‘aimless’ adventure to Xiamen

Edited by: Dennis Meng
Photos by: Vincent Jeong