Jilin's jewels worth the journey
By Clare Buchanan ( China Daily )
2014-11-12
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Heavenly Lake on top of Changbai Mountain on the border between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea boasts abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery. It is also a draw for visitors who are keen to experience the customs in Northeast China.[Wang Wenlan/China Daily] |
Snow-capped mountain peaks tower over a vast, bright blue volcanic crater-lake 762 meters above bubbling hot springs and cascading waterfalls.
The stunning view coupled with howling winds threw me off balance but as I struggled to keep my footing the grin on my face stayed put.
Standing on top of Changbai Mountain it was easy to see why it's the star of Jilin province and one of China's most captivating natural wonders.
The mountain range in Northeast China is nestled in the country's largest nature reserve on the border of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and boasts abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery that changes dramatically with the seasons.
Further down the mountainside natural hot springs let out steam in stark contrast with the icy peaks above and visitors boiled eggs in the gurgling water flowing over the colorful riverbed.
Every year the area draws thousands of tourists hoping to catch a clear glimpse of Heavenly Lake, the deepest and most majestic lake in the area.
Changbai Mountain is undeniably the top attraction in the region but many visitors are in such a rush to get there they often overlook the rest of the province.
Jilin is full of contrasts and is hugely diverse, with not just volcanic mountains but also rural landscapes and ethnic villages with Korean influences.
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A craftsman at a locally renowned leather and fur mill shows his products.[Wang Wenlan/China Daily] |
In the eastern part of the province is the little-known Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture, which includes Wangqing county and Antu county and is home to China's Korean ethnic group.
After a long and bumpy drive through endless corn fields punctuated by the occasional farms I spotted flags flying and people wearing brightly colored clothes.
As I walked across the field and got closer I heard the sound of drums, gongs, the oboe-like suona and happy voices chatting in a Korean-sounding dialect.
The group launched into a loud and lively performance of the farmers' dance of China's Korean ethnic group, a traditional act to pay homage to nature and pray for a plentiful harvest.
The traditional performance－named the farmers' festive dance by local people－has been passed down for generations and is still an important part of community life, with children and adults of all ages taking part.
The dance was included in the representative list of intangible cultural heritages by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2009 and is just one of the area's unique features.
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China's Korean people dance to pay homage to nature and pray for a plentiful harvest. The farmers' festival dance of the Korean ethnic group was included as a world intangible cultural heritage in 2009.[Zhang Wei/China Daily] |
