The Far North East

Peeping into North Korea

I'm sure there are many beautiful things to say about Yanji, but the loveliest is that it is like Ireland - at least as far as climate goes. I felt totally at home there and my only regret was that my stay was too short.

Yanji is a small town, by Chinese standards. It is hidden away in a green valley, presided over by blue skies and gentle breezes. All the while I was there I found myself wondering what the people did for a living but soon it was clear that Yanji can boast of some of the most fertile land in the world. The Korean influence is very strong and most of the people are bilingual. Shop signs are also in both languages.

In fact, the border with North Korea, at Tumen, is less than 30 mins away by car. I drove over there to se for myself. There is a facility for walking right to the border, under police escort, of course. There is a modest fee for the privilege. One is allowed to take pictures freely. The border security guard will even do the needful if you ask him. Korea, just across the river, looks hauntingly attractive. But there is very little movement across that long and very straight bridge.

The town of Tumen is very small, but very clean. The climate is superb. Russia is less than two hours to the north. Somehow, I wished that North Korea were more open, allowing tourism and offering chances for mutual exchange of ideas and commerce. Such secretive closure can never be good for people.

In spite of my short stay I felt sad when my train bore me away to my next halt at Jilin, some 7 hours to the west.