Jiangnan Korean and Manchu Ethnic Town in Ning'an City, Mudanjiang

Jiangnan Korean & Manchu Ethnic Township (江南朝鲜族满族乡) is located in Ning'an, under Mudanjiang, about 6 km from the city center. Nestled at the western foothills of Laoye Ridge (老爷岭) and along the Mudan River (牡丹江), it is a unique multi-ethnic township where Korean and Manchu cultures coexist.

Covering over 600 km², the area features rice paddies, forested hills, and easy urban access. At its core is the well-known Xingxing Korean Village (明星朝鲜族村), one of China’s first officially recognized ethnic villages. With preserved traditions, seasonal festivals, and rich culinary heritage, Jiangnan Township is an ideal destination for cultural immersion and countryside tourism.

Ethnic Culture

Korean Ethnic Group (朝鲜族)

• Origins: Migrated from the Korean Peninsula during the late Qing Dynasty
• Lifestyle: Centered on rice farming with strong traditions in music, dance, and hospitality
• Language: Korean and Mandarin widely spoken
• Cultural Traits: Emphasis on education, etiquette, and communal life

Manchu Ethnic Group (满族)

• Origins: Indigenous to the region, descendants of the ancient Jurchen people and part of Ningguta (宁古塔) heritage
• Population: Around 3,400 residents across the township
• Traditions: Known for horseback culture, hunting heritage, and Shamanistic beliefs
• Language: Mandarin commonly used; some elders still speak Manchu

Traditions & Festivals

Korean Traditions

• Yudu Festival (流头节): Held on the 15th day of the 6th lunar month, featuring ritual bathing, performances, and communal feasts for health and harvest blessings
• Seollal (Lunar New Year / 岁首节): Family rituals, traditional dress, and folk games
• Chuseok (Mid-Autumn Festival / 秋夕节): Harvest celebration with rice cakes and performances

Manchu Traditions

• Banjin Festival (颁金节): The Manchu “anniversary day,” with ancestral worship, dances, and folk songs
• Spring Festival: Includes ancestral offerings and traditional etiquette such as the “Da Qian” greeting

Folk Arts & Architecture

• Korean dances: Nongak, Long Drum Dance, and Hat Dance
• Manchu dances: Waist Bell Dance and traditional Yangko
• Traditional homes: Korean ondol houses (温突) and Manchu “Pocket Houses” (口袋房) with heated kang beds

Local Cuisine

Korean Cuisine

• Cold noodles (冷面), bibimbap (石锅拌饭), and songpyeon (松饼)
• Kimchi (辣白菜), rice sausage (米肠), soybean paste soup
• Rice cakes (打糕) and Korean rice wine

Manchu Cuisine

• Ningguta blood sausage (宁古塔血肠)
• Sticky bean buns (黏豆包)
• Sauerkraut with pork and traditional banquet dishes (八大碗)

Top Attractions

Xingxing Korean Village (明星朝鲜族村)

The cultural centerpiece of the township:

• Visit the village history museum and traditional homes
• Experience rice cake pounding, kimchi-making, and rice wine brewing
• Dress in hanbok and enjoy live dance performances
• Stroll along “Xingxing Avenue” lined with traditional Korean houses

Xinxing Manchu Cultural Village (新兴村)

Explore authentic Manchu heritage:

• Traditional residences (pocket houses, kang beds)
• Folk performances such as Waist Bell Dance

Rice Field Landscapes

• Expansive rice paddies with seasonal beauty
• Spring planting and autumn harvest offer the best visual experiences

Laoye Ridge Forest Area (老爷岭)

• Ideal for hiking and foraging wild vegetables such as bracken and daylily buds

Accommodation

Ethnic Homestays

Stay in Xingxing Village for an immersive Korean-style experience with heated floors and homemade meals. Price: RMB 200–350 per night

Ning’an City Hotels

More options available in Ning'an, just 10 minutes away—ideal for combining trips to nearby attractions

Transportation

Getting There

• By Car: 10 minutes from Ning'an; about 40 minutes from Mudanjiang
• Public Transport: Local bus from Ning’an city center (Route 1) to Jiangnan Village

Local Travel

Attractions are concentrated—walking or self-driving is convenient; car hire (~RMB 150/day) is also available

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

• August: Yudu Cultural Festival with rituals, performances, and food events
• September–October: Golden rice harvest season
• Major holidays: Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn, and Banjin Festival

Cultural Etiquette

• Remove shoes when entering homes (both Korean and Manchu)
• Ask permission before photographing people or ceremonies

Packing Advice

• Summer: rain gear, sunscreen, insect repellent
• Autumn: light jacket for cooler evenings

Suggested Itineraries

1-Day Tour

Xingxing Village → Korean cultural experiences → Rice field sightseeing → Local cuisine

2-Day Tour

Day 1: Jiangnan Township cultural immersion
Day 2: Ning'an (Ningguta 宁古塔) + Jingpo Lake (镜泊湖)