Korean Ethnic Group

Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

The Korean ethnic group (朝鲜族) is a transnational minority in China, with a total population of 1,702,479 according to the 2020 census. Since the mid-19th century, residents from the Korean Peninsula gradually migrated to Northeast China, forming stable settlements. Their language belongs to the Altaic language family, Korean branch, using Hangul and commonly speaking Mandarin. Renowned for cultivating fertile black soil, Koreans in China are famous for rice cultivation, ginseng, matsutake mushrooms, and Yanbian yellow beef. Culturally, they emphasize etiquette, education, and have highly distinctive song and dance, cuisine, architecture, and traditional clothing.

Distribution Across China (2020)

Provincial Distribution

• Jilin Province (吉林省): 1.107 million (65% of national population, core settlement area)
• Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省): 340,000 (20%)
• Liaoning Province (辽宁省): 255,000 (15%)
• Other provinces: Approx. 100,000, scattered in Beijing (北京), Shandong (山东), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), Shanghai (上海)

County-Level Core Settlements

Key Townships and Villages

• Zhixin Town, Longjing (智新镇, 龙井市): 23,000 Koreans (92%), Mingdong Village (明东村) – traditional village, “First Village of Korean Education,” with century-old school and residences.
• Xicheng Town, Helong (西城镇, 和龙市): 18,000 Koreans (88%), Jindalai Village (金达莱村) – pure Korean settlement, mature folk culture experience.
• Yueqing Town, Tumen (月晴镇, 图们市): 12,000 Koreans (85%), Bailong Village (白龙村) – 13 century-old wooden houses, living architecture relics.
• Fangchuan Town, Hunchun (防川镇, 珲春市): 9,000 Koreans (78%), Fangchuan Village (防川村) – “First Village of the East,” rich border culture.
• Xialuhe Korean Ethnic Township, Kuandian (下露河朝鲜族乡, 宽甸县): 5,000 Koreans (65%), Sandaohe Village (三道河村) – best-preserved Korean culture in Liaoning.
• Zhongxing Village, Mudanjiang (中兴村, 牡丹江市): 12 km from city, gray tiles and white walls, folk museum, food industry park, experience making kimchi and rice cakes, paddy field sightseeing train.

Folk Culture

Traditional Architecture

Timber mortise-and-tenon structures, blue-tiled white walls, sweeping roof corners, no nails required. Interiors have heated kang platforms, floor seating; courtyards plant azaleas (金达莱). Modern homes retain traditional exteriors with updated interior comfort.

Traditional Clothing

• Men: White diagonal-collar short jackets (Jeogori, 则高利), loose pants (Baji, 巴吉), dark vests; ceremonial long robes and black hats for festivals.
• Women: Short jacket with long skirt (Chima, 契玛), diagonal-collar without buttons, wide and flowing skirt, bright colors (red/pink/blue), adorned with silver and embroidered hats; graceful walking.

Intangible Cultural Heritage

• Korean Nongak Dance (农乐舞) – integrates dance, instruments, acrobatics; includes Elephant Hat Dance, Long Drum Dance, Fan Dance.
• Gayageum (伽倻琴) – 12-string zither, gentle tone; famous songs include “Arirang” and “Doraji.”
• Long Drum Dance (长鼓舞) – fast rhythm, free-spirited.
• Board and Swing Games (跳板与秋千) – traditional women’s acrobatics.
• Korean Paper Cutting (剪纸) – red paper designs of birds, flowers, folk motifs.

Marriage Customs

Engagement with gift exchange, ceremonial three rites (奠雁礼, 交拜礼, 合卺礼); weddings involve traditional dress, shared cup wine; banquets feature rice cakes (打糕), cold noodles (冷面), grilled meat (烤肉); celebrations last three days; post-wedding home visits maintain community bonds.

Traditional Festivals

Spring Festival (春节), Lantern Festival (上元节), Cold Food Festival (寒食节), Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), Chuseok / Autumn Festival (秋夕节), Hundred Species Festival (百种节) – combining harvest celebrations and ancestor worship.

Beliefs and Taboos

Beliefs: Core Confucianism, respect elders, value education; blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and remnants of Shamanism. Modern Koreans may practice Buddhism, Christianity, or none, but retain ancestor rituals.

Taboos: Avoid food waste, tapping chopsticks, stepping on thresholds, disturbing water sources, speaking ill at weddings, single-day weddings or pure white bridal dress.

Cuisine (Sour, Spicy, Fresh; Rice-based)

• Kimchi (辣白菜) – fermented cabbage with chili, garlic, pear juice.
• Cold Noodles (冷面) – buckwheat noodles in sweet-sour icy broth with meat, egg, kimchi.
• Bibimbap (石锅拌饭) – rice with vegetables, fried egg, chili paste; crispy bottom.
• Rice Cake (打糕) – steamed glutinous rice, pounded, sweetened, dipped in red bean or soybean powder.
• Grilled Meat (烤肉) – beef/lamb over charcoal, wrapped with sauce and leaves.
• Rice Sausage (米肠) – sticky rice, pig blood, vegetables in casing, steamed.
• Songpyeon (松饼) – glutinous rice with bean paste/nuts, half-moon shape, for Chuseok.

Cultural Tourism Sites

Museums & Cultural Centers

• Yanbian Museum (延边博物馆, 延吉) – National Level II, 15,000 artifacts.
• Chinese Korean Folk Village (中国朝鲜族民俗园, 延吉) – restored traditional village, experience Hanbok photography, rice cake making, dance performances.
• Heilongjiang Korean Folk Museum (黑龙江省朝鲜族民俗博物馆, 哈尔滨) – 2,000+ artifacts.
• Sandaohe Korean Folk Museum (三道河朝鲜族民俗博物馆, 三道河村, 宽甸) – border Korean immigrant culture.

Core Scenic Areas

• Fangchuan Scenic Area (防川景区, 珲春, 4A) – “See three countries at a glance.”
• Jindalai Folk Village (金达莱村, 和龙, 3A) – picturesque countryside, homestays, kimchi & rice cake experience.
• Hongqi Village, Antu (红旗村, 安图, 3A) – traditional houses, long drum, swing, board performances.
• **Bailong Village

Core Scenic Areas (Continued)

• Fangchuan Scenic Area (防川景区, Hunchun, 4A): “See three countries at a glance” viewing platform, border river scenery, and Fangchuan Village (Fangchuan Village（防川村）), offering strong China–North Korea–Russia border culture experience.
• Jindalai Folk Village (金达莱民俗村, Helong, 3A): Located in Jindalai Village（Jindalai Village（金达莱村））, a pure Korean ethnic settlement featuring traditional farming landscapes, homestays, kimchi-making, rice cake production, and folk performances.
• Hongqi Folk Village (红旗民俗村, Antu, 3A): Located in a classic Korean settlement area, featuring traditional wooden houses, board jumping, swing games, and long drum dance performances in a well-preserved folk environment.
• Bailong Village Century-old Settlement (白龙百年部落, Tumen): Located in Bailong Village（Bailong Village（白龙村））, featuring 13 preserved century-old wooden houses, traditional artifacts, and immersive historical village life experience.
• Longjing Piyan Mountain Scenic Area (龙井琵岩山风景区): A cultural and natural landmark mountain of the Korean ethnic group, featuring forest landscapes, flower fields, cultural exhibition halls, hiking routes, and folk performances.

Famous Villages

1. National Traditional Villages (China Ministry of Civil Affairs)

• Mingdong Village（Mingdong Village（明东村））, Longjing City: A century-old educational village with preserved schoolhouses and traditional residences, combining revolutionary history and folk culture.
• Bailong Village（Bailong Village（白龙村））, Tumen City: A living heritage village with traditional wooden architecture clusters and authentic Korean rural lifestyle.

2. Ethnic Minority Cultural Villages (National Ethnic Affairs Commission)

• Jindalai Village（Jindalai Village（金达莱村））, Helong City
• Fangchuan Village（Fangchuan Village（防川村））, Hunchun City
• Mingdong Village（Mingdong Village（明东村））, Longjing City
• Bailong Village（Bailong Village（白龙村））, Tumen City
• Sandaohe Village（Sandaohe Village（三道河村））, Kuandian County

3. Other Featured Villages

• Zhongxing Village（中兴村）, Mudanjiang City: Folk museum, rice field sightseeing train, kimchi workshops, and rural tourism infrastructure.
• Chengzhong Village（成中村）, Dunhua City: Traditional Korean architecture cluster with weaving, brewing, and handicraft experiences.

Ancient Towns

• Longjing Ancient Town (Longjing Ancient Town（龙井古镇）): Cultural origin of the Korean ethnic group in China, featuring old streets, traditional shops, workshops, and rich food culture.
• Tumen Port Ancient Town (Tumen Port Ancient Town（图们口岸古镇）): A century-old border trading town integrating customs, folk culture, and cross-border heritage along the Tumen River.
• Helong Xicheng Ancient Town (Xicheng Town Ancient Town（西城镇古镇）): A pastoral-style historic town centered around Jindalai Village, combining natural landscapes with traditional ethnic life.

Cultural Tourism Guide

Best Travel Seasons

• Spring (April–May): Azalea blooming season, spring farming, kimchi preparation experience.
• Summer (June–August): Cool climate (~22°C), ideal for rafting, folk festivals, and rural homestays.
• Autumn (September–October): Golden rice fields, harvest festivals, Chuseok celebrations, roasted meat season.
• Winter (November–February): Ice and snow tourism, skiing, frost landscapes, heated kang (firebed) homestay experience.

Classic Travel Routes

1. Yanbian Deep Cultural Tour (5 Days)

Day 1: Yanji → Yanbian Museum → Korean Folk Village → food street → stay in Yanji
Day 2: Yanji → Mingdong Village（明东村） → Piyan Mountain → stay in Longjing
Day 3: Longjing → Jindalai Village（金达莱村） (kimchi & rice cake experience) → stay in Helong
Day 4: Helong → Bailong Village（白龙村） → Tumen Port sightseeing → stay in Tumen
Day 5: Tumen → Fangchuan Scenic Area（防川村） (“See three countries at a glance”) → return

2. Changbai Mountain + Folk Culture Tour (4 Days)

Day 1: Changbai Mountain North Slope → Tianchi Lake → hot springs → stay in Korean homestay
Day 2: Changbai Mountain → Hongqi Village（红旗村） (board/swing performances) → stay locally
Day 3: Antu → Yanji → folk village → food street → stay in Yanji
Day 4: Yanji → return

3. Liaoning Border Cultural Tour (2 Days)

Day 1: Dandong → Kuandian Sandaohe Village（三道河村） → folk museum → kimchi experience → stay in homestay
Day 2: Yalu River scenic area → return

Must-Experience Activities

• Intangible Heritage: Kimchi making, rice cake production, Gayageum performance, paper cutting
• Folk Performances: Nongak dance, elephant hat dance, long drum dance
• Interactive Experiences: Hanbok photography, century-old houses exploration, rice field sightseeing
• Festivals: Spring Festival rituals, Chuseok harvest festival, Lantern Festival celebrations

Must-Try Food List

• Kimchi (辣白菜)
• Cold noodles (冷面)
• Stone pot bibimbap (石锅拌饭)
• Rice cakes (打糕)
• Korean barbecue (烤肉)
• Rice sausage (米肠)

Accommodation Recommendations

• Yanji: Korean-themed hotels, folk homestays
• Longjing: Mingdong Village rural courtyards, kang-style houses
• Helong: Jindalai Village homestays, flower field inns
• Hunchun: Fangchuan border homestays, riverside guesthouses
• Tumen: Traditional wooden house homestays, authentic rural residences