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.