As Helong City is a county of the larger Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Jilin Province of China (P.R.C.). The main ethnic group outside of the Han Chinese are the Koreans, who's ancestors have inhabited these lands and even far wider regions of Manchuria (North-East of China) at leat since around the birth of Christ (0 AD). Although in 1955 AD when the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture was established the number of Koreans made up 62% op the total population, through an influx of Han Chinese in the 1960's and since, the number of Koreans have dwindled to below 50%. Especially in the city of Yanji (Yeongil), the Han Ethnic group is clearly dominant.
Helong Climate & Weather :
Currently, there are no Hotels in Helong "City" and certainly none in the outlying rural area's of the county. It mountainous and forrested land, interspersed with some farming villages and their various crops in the valleys.
The only option for "staying in Helong" would be to arrange for a homestay or just camp out on the mountain or along a Farm Field, which is illegal and risky so near the North Korean border.
The nearest available Hotels are the Hailan Bridge Hotel and the Longyuan Bathing Hotel both near the train station in Longjing City up the railway. The only other options are the the main Hotels in Yanji City or a resort at the Changbai Reserve tourist area even further away.
Helong City & County Hotels
History of Helong :
Rivers in Helong County :
Helong & County Basic Knowledge :
Location : 42°54′ 90.24 North 129° 00′ 61.57 East
Elevation : 451 meters, or 1480 feet.
Helong County lies in the northern foothills of the Changbai Shan Mountain range (长白山). As such, the lands are hilly and there are wide variations in altitude. The highest peak in Helong County measures around ---- Meters.
Surface Area (of County): 5069 Square kilometers (1957 square miles).
Population: The Total Population of Helong City Prefecture is around 220.000, of which the urban citizens of Helong City are estimated to count for almost 40%.
Helong is the main settlement and administrative center of the larger Helong County. Helong county
Apart from the available Google Map above (right), there no specific maps available for Helong Town or Helong (City) County. For the best available Maps of the area, including historic and geographical maps, please refer to: "Jilin Province Map Index".
Read the inside story of the World War II Battle for North-China, a travel diary and journalistic masterpiece by James Bertram, one of the few that travelled with the communist armies in their earliest hours on the world stage.
With a history as an ultra-remote region which even today is barely connected to the outside world of larger China and directly straddling the border of the poverty stricken and disconnective nation of North Korea (D.P.R.K.) there is little general activity in Helong City. Exclusive a remote rural and agricultural town the only landmark in town is Peoples Square, and perhaps the train station or one or both of the bridges spanning the Hailan River in town.
LAOLING MOUNTAIN:
There are no real historic landmarks or especially worthwhile sites to see in Helong itself.
The main landmark of Town is probably the Laoling Mountain, situated due west of Town at some distance. The Laoling Mountain marks the border with the adjacent Antu County of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.
To get there, take a taxi, drive northwards out of town along Peoples Road (Renmin Dajie) which connects to S202 Road. Keep an eye out here as at the connecting point one is to turn westwards (and then south-west bound again) following what is the north branch of S202 along the valley and down to Laoling Mountain and its scenic spot on the county border. Please note: as the Town of Helong actually is situated at a branching point of the S202 Road, there are actually two S202 roads. The one describes is the north branch which splits off at the north end of town and, after crossing the river, follows the west bank of the river. The alternative route is to leave through the south of town which brings one onto the southern branch of S202 Road to follow the opposite east road of the Hailan River bank and follows a route through forrests and around a mountain to ultimately reconnect with the north branch of S202. The connection point of south and north branch lies just outside of the county and a short drive west of the Laoling Mountain scenic spot.
ANCIENT TOMBS OF THE KOREAN BALHAE KINGDOM AT LONGTOU MOUNTAIN:
The only historic landmark reportedly situated in Helong (City) County are most well-known under the name "Ancient Tombs of Longtou Mountain" (Chinese: 龙头山古墓群 ; Korean:육정산 고분군 (Hangul)). These so-called ancient Tombs are nothing less than a burial site of Royalties of the ancient Korean Kingdom of Balhae (known in China as Bohai) which reigned supremely over these and wider territories 698 AD - 926 AD, and as might be added resurrected the Korean National Identity after a devious plot hatched by the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618 AD - 907 AD) brought down it predecessor Goguryeo. The burial site was in use at the end of the 8th Century AD and its most important tomb was established in 793 AD for the burial of Princess Jeonghyo (known as Zhenxiao in Chinese). Find the hard to find tombs site all by yourself as it is currently not advertized anywhere in any way. There are no road signs pointing there. The substantial site is situated on the Longtou Mountain in the Township of Toudao (头道镇 ; 두도), which is in the far north of Helong County and situated along S202 Provincial Road. Supposedly the site is to the south or south-west of the town proper, probably on the south (east) bank of the Hailan River.
TOUDAO VILLAGE MARTYRS MONUMENT:
For photos - Click Through.
Transport in Helong County
Helong Town, the main settlement in Helong County has a railway station and is connected to the main
situated due north of Changbai Shan Mountain along the main provincial road leading from Yanji, the Capital of Yanbian, to the Changbai (Ever White) mountain and its tourist area.
Helong is a thoroughly out of the way, agricultural town in a remote border area. Although the town is situated in the northern foothills of Changbai Mountain itself it is situated at quite some distance from it. Thus, at present, there is not tourism industry and but a few services in town. The town business revolves around tobacco, agriculture and forestry.
Most foreign visitors pass through
HELONG CITY TRAIN STATION (HELONG ZHAN):
Find the Main Railway Station located due north-west of the center of Town. The railway lines run roughly north to south through the valley, along the Hailan River (Hailan Jiang) on the west side of town which should help in your navigation to the Station. Seen from the main section of town, the Station lies on the opposite, west side of the river, just a stones throw beyond the main bridges in town. The Hailan Road Bridge crosses the river in the north whereas the Wenhua Road Bridge stand slighty farther to the south. The Train Station lies between these two bridges along a raod section that is part of the larger S202 Provincial Road that cuts through the Yanbian Prefecture.
Northern Route from Town: Head across the Hailan River bridge to connect onto S202 Provincial Road coming from Yanji via Longjing in the North. Still in sight of the river turn southward onto S202 which officially is called Zhanqian Road (Station Road, basicly) here. You should be able to see the station from here while walking southward.
Southern Route from Town: Find the southernmost bridge spanning the Hailan River in town. The easiest is to go to Peoples Square, the town square and follow the main road westward Wenhua until reaching the bridge. From there, follow the road across the bridge until it turns northward into S202 Provincial Road. This section of S202 is officially known as Train Station Road (Zhanqian Lu) and leads upwards to the main and only train station.
ROAD CONNECTIONS IN HELONG TOWN AND COUNTY:
The main road connecting to Helong City is the S202 Provincial Road which leads down from Yanji via Longjing City. Helong sits at a curious bifurcation of the S202 Provincial Road which has one branch connecting westwards from the north of town, and second branch leading out of Wenhua District (Central Town) across a bridge and the Hailan River to lead south-westward around a mountain before it reconnects to the other branch due south-west of Helong Town (in Antu County). After both branches reconnect they continue for miles through forrested parts of the Changbai Shan Range eventually ending up in Fusong County town of Baishan Prefecture of Jilin Province. Beyond this the road connects through all the way to Tonghua and even Huanren in Huanren Manchu Autonomous County (Benxi Prefecture) across the border in Liaoning Province. This is however a very long journey and not a one for the fainthearted, especially not in winter conditions.
BUS STATION OF HELONG TOWN:
Find the main Bus Station of Helong in the west of town adjacent the train station. Both are situated on the west bank of the Hailan River.
is further sub-divided into 3 urban districts, and 8 rural townships. The three urban districts of town are: Wenhua Subdistrict (文化街道 / 문화가도), Minhui Subdistrict (民惠街道 / 민혜가도), Guangming Subdistrict (光明街道 / 광명가도). Wenhua is considered the main district of town which includes Wenhua Road, Peoples Square as well as the greater part of Peoples' Street which runs north to south through Peoples' Square. This is also where the Hospital is situated.
It is unclear where the Huimin and Guangming District are located. They are not on Google Maps.
SERVICES IN HELONG TOWN:
Helong has a hospital, a government tax bureau and a government grain bureau. Apart from this there is little else but the train and bus station. A local cinema provides the only entertainment in town.
EDUCATION IN HELONG:
Helong number 3 middle school, Helong no. 5 middle school.
RURAL TOWNSHIPS OF HELONG (CITY) COUNTY:
The rural townships of Helong City (County) are: Toudao (Zhen) (头道镇 / 두도진), Bajiazi (八家子镇 / 팔가자진), Fudong (福洞镇 / 복동진), Xicheng (西城镇 / 서성진), Nanping (南坪镇 / 남평진), Longcheng (龙城镇 / 용성진), Dongcheng (东城镇 / 동성진), Chongshan (崇善镇 / 숭선진) all of them equally obscure and devout of foreign or even out of region visitors.
The northernmost township is Dongcheng, which as the name suggests, is centered on the town of Dongcheng (East City) Zhen (This is the usual arrangement). Dongcheng (Zhen) lies in the extreme north-east of Helong City bordering directly on Longjing City (County) of Yanbian Prefecture.
Next in line, along the S202 Provincial Road winding southward out of Yanji along the Hailan River valley is the Town of Toudao and its township. It is situated due west of road and river.
Taken from the north the next township is Xicheng (West City) Zhen which is closely followed at a small distance to the south by Bajiazi, both situated due south of Toudao, along the Hailan River and the S202 Provincial Road that leads upstream to Helong City.
Closer to Helong City Fudong Town and its township lie roughly due north-west of Helong in rough hilly terrain. This is all rural land.
The remaining towns and townships of Helong City are not situated along the main traffic arteries of the Hailan River valley and the S202 Provincial Road and thus harder to locate. All of these towns and townships are even more rural and remote of nature than the previously mentioned city and towns.
Probably the most obvious and also the most interesting outlying town of Helong County is Nanping, the seat of Nanping District.
Nanping District does not lie, as the name suggests, in the southernmost point of Helong City County but rather lies in the south-east on the border with North Korea (D.P.R.K.). The town of Nanping lies at white locally should be considered a considerable distance due south-west of Helong City. Although Nanping does not lie directly across from a Korean village or town, it does have a direct and currently open bridge connection into North Korea. This existence of this so called "Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge" is not widely known. On the opposite side, just to the south and beyond a hill lies the North Korean Town of Musan (무산) in Musan County (무산군) of North Hamgyong Province of North Korea. Only a one lane road leads south and out from Wenhua District of Helong City away to the ethnic Korean village of Nanping on the Tumen River. To be more precise, the road travels from Helong via the villages of Henan Cun, Quanshui cun and Xinxingtun to Fengshandong. Beyond of this the number of inhabitants dwindles and only the villages of Linquan cun, Huixin and Xinxingdong lie further down the road. Nearing the end the valley fold opens up announcing the larger valley of the Tumen River. Here north of Nanping lie the villages of Xingjincun, Qiutianping, Xintin Cun and Liuxincun and Daotianping, the latter of which lies on the bank of the Tumen River. At Daotian on the river bank a road splits off at a 90 degree angle, cutting northward through Daotianping and then following the west bank of the Tumen River northward. The main road however contines to the Tumen River and turns southward to follow the river upstream to Nanping Town. The town itself lies 2 bends north of Daotianpung village.
Nanping Town is small but nevertheless remarkable and interesting. Apart from the main street and an abundance of traditional Korean styled buildings to explore, the main feature of the town is a very modern and truly massive border station. The border station cannot be missed as it lies at the very end of the one lane road leading to Nanping. In fact, the main street leads cuts in front of the border station leading west. As in Tumen the strictly guarded station has a huge ceremonial square also used for exercises. Beyond is the traditional Chinese Archway with a distinct Communist modern lining and of course the Sino-Korean friendship bridge itself.
Needles to say, Nanping is a wortwhile town in Helong to go and pay a visit too. However mind you, contrary to the practice at Tumen City down the river in north-east Yanbian Prefecture, at Nanping Town visits, especially by foreigners, to the bridge and its station are not encouraged. On the contrary. An unexpected show up, and unadulterated photographing and videoing of anything related to the border and the crossing may well land one in trouble with the border police or other local authorities. If you go, best be cautious if possible.
The view across the bridge reveals nothing of particular importance or interest, there is just North Korean farmland and a small unnamed Korean farming setllement along a road which connects upstream to Musan nearby. The river is quite narrow and in both directions one can dwell along its banks. At various points on the opposite side are small pilbox bunkers from which North Korean border guards watch the traffic. The little bunkers are hard to spot from the Chinese side of the river, unless one lingers to see and follow the traffic of changing guards. They are however fairly easily identified using Google Maps. The line of dug in posts continues up and down the river with one after every regular interval and in strategic places such as highpoints or corners of the river. It is unknown if each post is manned at all times.
Naturally, a border crossing would be illegal, impossible and thoroughly ill advised. Those who have been caught before were convicted for illegal entry as well as spying, and subsequently sentenced to 20 years of hard physical labor in one of the notorious and reportedly very unpleasant North Korean (death camps). Obviously, no sane person would risk such a fate. And besides, the Chinese Police are not that friendly either.
The remaining county townships of Longcheng and Chongshan are as yet impossible to locate even with the aid of Google Maps.
Helong on Provincial Road S202 bound for the Changbai volcanic mountain and its largest wildlife reserve within the Peoples Republic of China. Hardly anyone makes a stop-over in Town. Helong can also be reached via railroad from Yanji City as it has its own modest railway station.
The first and foremost river in Helong City County of Yanbian Prefecture is the Hailan River. It springs from the northern foothills of the Changbai Mountains (長白山) to run roughly from the south-west of Helong County and flowing towards Helong City. After passing through Helong City proper, the river flows northward and winds its way to Helong City County and eventually the Bu'Er Hatong River in the vicinity of the city of Yanji. As the main road through Helong County (S202) follows the path of the river upstream, anyone who visits the county or heads to Changbai Shan will come across the Hailan River.
The second main river in Helong City County is the Gudong River which flows through the western parts of Helong City County. The source of the Gudong River is found somehwere on the northern flank of the Laoling Mountain in the extreme south-west of Helong County. From this north flank it flows mostly directly northward through forested territories in which there are currently no roads only mountain footpaths. As a result of S202 Provincial Road passing on the opposite side of Laoling Mountain and the further lack of roads its valley, few visitors to Helong County get to see the sight of the Gudong River.
THE HAILAN RIVER (HAILAN JIANG) :
The source of the Hailan River is found in the south-west of Helong County not too far from Liaoling Mountain. From there it runs roughly south to north through Helong Town. In the north it flows past Toudao Township of Helong and into the neighboring county of Longjing. Somewhere near Longjing the name of the flow changes to Longjiang (Dragon River) and then briefly into Shuang He. Finally the Shuang He connects with the Bu'Erhatong River just south-east of Yanji City.
THE GUDONG RIVER:
The Gudong River has two sources on the Laoling Mountain the outflows of which come together only a short distance belowon the mountain. Flowing off the northern flank of Laoling Mountain the Gudong River flows northward parallel to the western county border with Antu County of Yanbian Prefecture. It flow are is a large forested and hilly are in which one can find (in sequence along the river); Bajiazi Forestry Bureau No. 10 Gong (Forestry) Team and No. 9 Team followed at several miles downstream by the extensive territories of the No. 2 Forest farm. Again many miles beyond the first settlement occurs on the eastern river bank. This village, Anping overlooks the river but stands at a safe distance from it on the hillside.
Another many mile distance beyond the river starts to flow out of the hills, at which time it diverts slowly and curves away in the north-western direction. Outside and east of the lower parts of the curve lies another village known as Yanbian Xianfeng. Much further downstream on the eastern river bank lies xinxingcun, a tiny village. The north-west corner of Helong City County consists of yet another Forest Farm, the Miaoling Forest farm through which the Gudong River makes its way to the county border an into Xiaohuanggou Forest Farm within Antu City County of Yanbian Prefecture.
It would be quite impossible to give a history of Helong City. Situated in regions which were considered remote until the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949 AD and well after, the town of Helong is also part of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, a politically sensitive region on the North Korean border which during the 1950's, 60's, 70's was a "Black Out Zone", where travel was restricted and no foreigners were permitted to travel. Opened since 1980 and only now starting some economic development the only history that can be given would be in the most general terms.
However, a few general remarks on the county may be given.
To begin with, in the far past the region was included as parts of Korean territory and were clearly included into the Korean Cultural Realm as is shown by the presence of Balhae Kingdom Tombs in Helong County (See: Landmarks & Monuments of Helong County). Roughly speaking, for over 1100 years the Helong County lay either in ∢Korea (Balhae, Cheoson) or formed a border region between Koreans and their neighbors. Throughout these times the neighbors included the nomadic Khitans, Mongolians, Jurchen and Manchu, as well as the Han Chinese who's influence in these remote parts ebbed and flowed.
Skipping forward to the earliest of modern times in the Helong County. Up until the proclamation of the Peoples Republic of China at the end of 1949, pretty much nothing happened in Helong County although it was certainly a populated place. Population was excessively sparse and most inhabitants were rough people, who lived a rural lifestyle much secluded from the outside world. Those who lived in the valleys among the hills and mountains wer either impoverished farmers, many of whom had escaped violence in their homeland. Others were involved in forestry, meaning that they came down to hunt, cut wood and trade firs, fish and other products.
Just before the rise of the Peoples Republic of China, the north eastern regions including Helong had been the territory of choice for roaming bands of guerilla's who throughout world war 2 were mostly forced out of Korean territories nearby by the well organized Japanes Army. Today most notable among them, the later Communist Leader of the neighboring Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the notorious Kim Il-Song. In the earliest days of his carreer, before fleeing up into Russian Territory and receiving political training near Khabarovsk, Kim Il-Song staged a few notable raids in the area.
Although Kim Il-Song would be temporarily safeguarded on Russian soil, throughout the world war 2 years and afterwards, the entire regio of Manchuria and the north of current day North Korea served much alike a base area of Communist Guerilla's. In case, the Koreans provided much of the effort and manpower needed to Liberate the North and subsequently march on the Beijing and the south beyond, guaranteeing several decades of further socialist zealousy in Manchuria, Yanbian and of course the Helong County.
Although Chinese and Koreans were officially great friends, soon there would of course be frictions and even strife. Although political zeal may have attempted to eradicate the differences, deep down in their cultural hearts the Koreans felt a need to preserve their independence from the Chinese, a peoples who had been knocking on the doors of Korean and invading or infringing already for centuries if not a millenium.
Thus, after the establishment of a Central Government in Beijing in 1949, and the further organization of the Chinese Nation, a renewed influx of Chinese migrants started to trickle into the regions. As always, they came from down south. Although a first population drive had managed to populate the regions with Chinese Farmers, it is noted that already in the 1950's local farmers perished from starvation due to mismanagement (large scale intimidation, starvation through corruption) as well as mass executions as part of various political drives. Meanwhile, the Korean War raged on for 3 years with Chinese involvement and a drive to recrute the local farm-boys of Helong and other counties and draft them into the Volunteer Army that fought just over the horizon.
Thus, in the 1960's after the failure of the Great Leap Forward and the subsequent Great Famine, a new stream of migrants had to be encouraged to populate the hillsides of Yanbian and Helong County. Although not much has been written about the regions in these decades, it is clear that extremely poor living conditions remained right up to the death of Mao Zedong in 1976 and for some years after.Well into the 1980's local farmers lived with their families in mud walled huts with a straw roof for cover. Only recently, starting with the turn of the Millenium, the local economy has improved drastically with farmers finally able to build decent homes.
For the best possible history of Helong County in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Jilin Province please refer to:
Tourism Industry in Helong and County of Yanbian :
Although even suggesting such a thing as a tourism industry would have made one the laughing stock of town until fairly recently, today the modern world is reaching even Helong City. With no previous history of outside visitors everyone in Town has noticed the growing flux of passing Foreigners and the dvelopments ongoing at the Changbai Reserve where recently a ski-slope was opened. Growing wealth and affluence in China (P.R.C.), with especially city incomes growing year after year have unleashed a stream of Chinese Tourists, an increasing number of whom are finding their way to the Changbai Shan mountain. Out of necessity everyone travels through or rather past Helong Town, a situation that everyone is eager to change.
Sadly, as described, Helong knows but one real historic landmark, a world renowned site which however has little appeal to generally ignorant Chinese Public, the ones who make up the bulk of those traveling to this remote corner. Although the ancient Tombs of Longtou Mountain may become a viable tourist destination in the future, at the moment the only other option for the local Government and those interested in developing commerce around the tourist flow is to emphasize the Korean Ethnic background and Culture of its inhabitants. Where previously, as elsewhere in China, the ethnic culture went mostly ignored (but was alive nevertheless) it has now become a way to attract outside interest in the Town, the villages surrounding and the people of Helong.
Currently a new tourist attraction is open and being developed at Guangdong Village, situated in the Dongcheng Township of Helong City.
At Guangdong Village, along the Hailan River, a succesful test center for new species of rice has been established, and according to the local Government initially 171 hectares of paddy fields in Guangdong Village were planted with organic green rice. Eversince the revenue from the rice sold has been substantial and since the per capita income in Helong (City) County has been raised 6000 yuan per year. Further fields have been developed and the local rice was established as en "ethnic brand" one of the many in current day China.
The associated tourist facility was added later and has been developed since. It includes a "distinct" Korean (Chaoxian) Village built and opened in 2011. The program supposedly explains both the water-plantation of rice in such northern regions as these, a process mastered by the Koreans in Korea and later adapted by the Chinese upon their arrival, as well as the Korean Culture of the town and county people. Eversince its opening, tourist organizations operating out of Yanji have been sending tour-buses cramped with Chinese tourist down in a deal with the center and the local Government. They get to see the plantations, are dined with a Korean Dance show and sent off to Yanji to their Hotels. Possibly a Hotel will be added to the "Korean Town" in due time although there is no mention of it as of yet (April 2012).
In Helong "city" county town of Yanbian, close to the Changbai Shan Mountain and its many forested foothills the number of Koreans is still high. Take the train down from Yanji to Helong for a day-trip (leave early) and scout out the town. It is as rural as one can get in these regions. Beyond, especially in the Hailan River Valley and the hills beyond, lie many small farming villages many of which still have high numbers of Korean inhabitants. Out of Town, between the forests and farmlands both Han and Koreans (Chaoxian), mix. But, even after years of mingling and working together under a strict communist regime, there is a certain level of separation. Although it is not visible to outsiders, under the surface Korean solidarity is strong. As rumored and often reported, this is where the underground Churches of Yanbian operate and no doubt this is where the refugees from North Korea find their support and their refuge.
Travel around the various Townships of Helong County on foot or by bicycle and see the often ethnic Korean Architecture of the various buildings. Some wooden buildings in the Korean style survive in these villages. Everywhere however, modernity has brought a change of building materials; brick walls and metal roofs, which create a new modern style and type of building. Yet, the local Korean style is usually proudly maintained. The main expressions of
"Ethnic" Korean style buildings today: on the left an older building which has however already brick walls (mud buildings still exists). On the right in the distance a brandnew building with what looks like concrete walls maintaining a Korean style in the typical roof corners and lining. Blue and Red are apparently popular.
Korean culture one can notice while dwelling about are the Korean styled roofs with small upturned eaves and occasionally a Korean language advertisement or slogan. Flower gardens are also incredibly
popular among Korean villagers. As Korean (Chaoxian) women are known to be tidy and serious housekeepers, and as Koreans like to express their attitude to the outside world, most Korean houses have gardens which are relatively neat and well arranged (in General!).
Today's generation of Korean Farmers and entrepreneurs no longer dress up in traditional Korean clothing style on a daily basis, however a lucky passerby may witness a wedding parade in which case everyone will come out wearing
"Ethnic" Korean style Mansion in the town of Toudao (zhen) in the far north of Helong County. An abundance of flowers, blue and white brick walls, a decorated gate and a typical Korean roofstyle including ornamental animal proudly proclaim the Korean ancestry of its inhabitans.
their best. Mind you however, the local Han farmers have adopted the typical "Yanbian" Korean dress and thus the party need not be Korean after all. One can often tell from the faces of the crowd however.
Local farmers traveling to the nearest market town in the hills just outside of the Hailan River valley in Helong County. Motorcycles are the best all around mode of transport.
The Best way to reach Helong Town is via Yanji by train. Other options are to travel by car or taxi along S202 Provincial road.
The most convenient mode of transport within Helong County is the motorcycle, prefered by many of the local farmers. A Bicycle may get you around depending on the local terrain and state of the roads you will be choosing. The south of Helong County beyond Helong town is mountainous, other parts only hilly. Your last resort on mud roads and among the farm
fields is to go on foot. Make sure you wear proper shoes.
BORDER OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF KOREA (NORTH KOREA):
Apart from the spectacular ancient Tombs of the Longtou Mountain in the north of the county, the thoroughly rural taste of town and its interesting Korean people and their culture there is only one other obvious reason for any outsider to travel to Helong City and its county and that is the proximity of the North Korean border. Most travelers to Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture who come for this special purpose are satisfied to travel from Yanji up to Tumen City, where one can view the main tourist site: the Tumen-Namyang Sino-Korean friendship bridge. There one can have a safe and authorized look across the Tumen River into North Korean Territory and see virtually nothing except the rather awful and dreary looking Korean town of Namyang (남양 ; 南陽) in North Hamgyong (함경남도) Province backed by a sizeable green mountain.
For anyone interested in the the wider North Korean Border with the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture might do well exploring the east and south of Helong County, if it were not for the limited road system and other various obstacles. To begin with, outsiders stick out like sore thumb. Secondly, there are no Hotels in town to stay overnight. All excursions therefor seem limited. However, driving a rental car out of Yanji one might be able to explore the Korean Border in places otherwise not seen and certainly not photographed or televised.
Better but less obscure options are available at Kaishantun Zhen of Longjing (City) County at the end of its own railway line due west of Yanji, in Hunchun of Hunchun County in the north-east of Yanbian Prefecture or at the south-east flank of Changbai Shan where Changbai County town overlooks Hyesan (혜산) of North Hamgyong Province in North Korea. Within Helong City County the best spot is at the bordertown of Nanping, the seat of Nanping Township of Helong City and the site of an inconspicuously hidden cross border bridge. Currently, no instructions or directions can be given other than the available Google Map and the texts on this page.
Last may be mentioned the recently developed "Korean Ethnic Village" and its tourist facility at Guangdong Town in Dongcheng District of Helong County. Although the Koreans, mainly farmers, and their culture are all around, in the small villages and heaps of farm homes dotting the county, the"tourist facility at Guangdong Village may be worthwhile for those with a specific interest in the rice farming as it was and is conducted throughout the regions. At Guangdong Village at testing ground for organic rice farming (of the distinct local brand) was established around 2010 AD. A thorough success, the rice plantations of the village, fed with waters of the clean Hailan river have since been expanded as the "ethnic rice brand" built further upon its success. The tourist facility is a later addition which caters to the tastes of visiting Chinese Tourists, however apart from the ethnic Korean show, dress and other cultural items, this is the best explanation of rice farming one can get in the wider regions (Except for at the ahricultural department of Yanji University perhaps).
A Full listing of Helong City Landmarks, Monuments, Hotspots and other sites of importance in alphabetical order. Search through the list to find your Full Report and Photo-Virtual Tour of each monument or landmark within the City.
Awh Christ, i with my adventurous idea's. Now i'm really toast. My ass is grass ...
Sayonara people !
Musan
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