Xin'an Korean Ethnic Town in Hailin City, Mudanjiang

Xin’an Korean Ethnic Town (新安朝鲜族镇) is located in Hailin City (海林市), under Mudanjiang (牡丹江市), Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), about 25 km from the city center. Set on the fertile alluvial plain of the Hailang River (海浪河), it is one of the most important Korean ethnic settlements in Northeast China.

Covering 131 km² with a population of around 21,000, nearly half of whom are ethnic Koreans (about 9,000 people), the town includes 8 Korean villages such as Yongle Village (永乐村) and Heping Village (和平村). Known as a “Rice Capital” with over 60,000 mu of green paddy fields, Xin’an combines modern agriculture with well-preserved Korean traditions, making it an ideal destination for rural tourism, cultural immersion, and culinary exploration.

Ethnic Culture

Korean Ethnic Group (朝鲜族)

The Korean community in Xin’an traces its roots to migrants from the Korean Peninsula during the late Qing Dynasty and early 20th century. Over generations, they transformed the land into productive rice paddies and built a vibrant agricultural culture.

• Population: Around 9,000 residents concentrated in 8 villages
• Language: Korean and Mandarin are both widely used
• Cultural Identity: Known for music, dance, strong educational values, and hospitality
• Lifestyle: Deeply rooted in rice farming, with influences from fishing and hunting traditions

Traditions & Festivals

Major Festivals

• Seollal (春节 / 岁首节): The Lunar New Year, featuring traditional dress (hanbok), ancestral rites, rice wine, and folk games
• Chuseok (中秋 / 秋夕节): Harvest festival with songpyeon (松饼), family gatherings, and performances
• Baekjong Festival (百种节 / 农夫节): Early summer celebration with folk dances, wrestling, and tug-of-war

Xin’an Rice Farming Festival (新安稻田农耕文化节)

Held in May, this local highlight allows visitors to:

• Plant rice seedlings
• Catch fish in paddy fields
• Learn kimchi-making
• Watch traditional Korean performances

Traditional Arts

• Nongak Dance (农乐舞): A lively folk performance with drums and spinning ribbon hats (national intangible heritage)
• Long Drum Dance (长鼓舞): Elegant and rhythmic
• Gayageum Music (伽倻琴): Soft-toned traditional string instrument

Architecture & Etiquette

• Traditional houses feature white walls, black tiles, and heated floors (ondol / 温突)
• Shoes must be removed before entering homes
• Strong respect for elders and formal dining etiquette

Local Cuisine

Signature Dishes

• Korean cold noodles (冷面): Refreshing buckwheat noodles in chilled broth
• Bibimbap (石锅拌饭): Rice with vegetables, beef, egg, and chili paste
• Kimchi (辣白菜): A staple side dish, spicy and fermented

Traditional Favorites

• Rice cakes (打糕) and songpyeon (松饼)
• Korean blood sausage (米肠)
• Dog meat soup (伏补汤, seasonal specialty)
• Wild vegetable salads (桔梗 / 蕨菜)

Local Highlights

• Iron-pot rice made from Hailang River paddies
• Korean rice wine (米酒), light and slightly sweet

Top Attractions

Yongle Village (永乐村)

The cultural heart of Xin’an and a national-level ethnic village. Visitors can:

• Explore Korean folk museums and historic homes
• Try traditional crafts and cooking (rice cakes, kimchi)
• Wear hanbok and participate in farming activities

Xin’an Digital Agriculture Zone & Rice Fields

• Vast 60,000-mu rice fields with seasonal scenery (green in summer, golden in autumn)
• Smart farming demonstrations including greenhouses and drone management

Shaishuichi Scenic Area (晒水池景区)

• A 600+ mu wetland area for boating, fishing, swimming, and birdwatching
• A popular summer retreat

Heping & Fuxing Villages (和平村 / 复兴村)

Traditional Korean villages with peaceful rural landscapes, white-walled houses, and vegetable gardens

Accommodation

Korean-Style Homestays

Available in Yongle and Heping villages, featuring heated floors and homemade Korean meals.

Budget Hotels

Located in Fuxing Village (复兴村), offering clean and affordable rooms

Hailin City Hotels

More options available in Hailin, about 30 minutes away, ideal for combining trips to Snow Town (雪乡) or Jingpo Lake (镜泊湖)

Transportation

Getting There

• By Car: 30 minutes from Hailin via provincial roads (Mudanjiang–Changting route / X083 County Road)
• Public Transport: Buses from Hailin Bus Station (3–4 departures daily）

Local Travel

Attractions are spread out—self-driving or car hire is recommended

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

• May: Rice Farming Festival and planting season
• September–October: Golden rice harvest and food festivals
• Spring Festival & Mid-Autumn: Authentic cultural celebrations

Cultural Etiquette

• Remove shoes when entering homes
• Ask permission before photographing locals or ceremonies

Packing Advice

• Summer: sunscreen, rain gear, insect repellent
• Autumn: light jacket due to temperature differences

Suggested Itineraries

1-Day Tour

Yongle Village → Rice fields → Shaishuichi Scenic Area → Korean cuisine experience

2-Day Tour

Day 1: Xin’an cultural immersion
Day 2: Hailin attractions (Weihu Mountain 威虎山, Snow Town entrance 雪乡入口)