Changbaishan, Jilin Province, China

JUNE 2026 · 8 DAYS

China’s Northeast

Where Korea, Russia & China Meet

Embark on a captivating journey through China's multicultural Northeast, where Korean, Russian, and Chinese cultures intertwine. From the bustling streets of the city of Yanji to the serene beauty of Changbai Mountain, this extraordinary trip offers a unique blend of history, nature, and culinary delights. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, explore the stunning landscapes of Hunchun as you overlook the border of three countries (China, Russia, North Korea), and experience the vibrant Russian influence in the architecture and food of Harbin.

Who This Experience Is For

Foodie

Food is your love language. From traditional family recipes at street stalls to new creations at innovative restaurants, you will experience each region's culinary scene authentically.

OTBP Adventurer

You crave an off-the-beaten-path type of China adventure with raw authenticity and genuine interactions with locals. For example, we will visit Korean Chinese traditional villages that few foreign tourists have seen.

Korean & Russian Culture Enthusiast

This trip will bring you to the border of China, Russia, and North Korea. While we will not be entering Russia or North Korea on the trip, you will be able to see the Russian and Korean influences on the China side.

Note: Itinerary may change, changes will be communicated to travelers in advance when possible.

This trip itinerary does NOT fall under the 10-day visa free policy because we are visiting Jilin Province, which is not included in the 240 hour visa free policy.

Itinerary

Get oriented on your first day in China. Get to know your fellow travelers!

On Day 1, we will visit the Forbidden City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the imperial palace for centuries.

On Day 2, we will visit the Mutianyu Great Wall, a section of the wall known for its breathtaking scenery and relatively fewer crowds.
Try local specialties at a local breakfast market before admiring the Russian architecture at the Saint Sophia Orthodox Church, Saint Yves Church, Alexeyev Church, and Central Street.

Take the Songhua River Cable Car, visit the Harbin Music Park and feast on a variety of Northeastern Chinese culinary specialties like guō bāo ròu, a fried pork dish drenched in a sweet and sour sauce and bá sī de guā, sweet potatoes coated in crystallized sugar. Don’t worry, not all dishes are that sweet!
From Yanji, we will take a day trip to Hunchun, which requires just a short train ride (30 - 40 minutes).

At Hunchun, we will take a shuttle to see Fang Chuan, the border of North Korea, China, and Russia.

From the Longhu Pavilion, you will be able to see Russia’s Vladivostok skyline (on clear days), North Korea’s Rason Special Economic Zone, and the Tumen River Delta, where the borders meet.

We will take a boat ride on the Tumen River, passing by North Korean villages and farmland.

In Hunchun, you will try both Russian-Korean fusion dishes, like cold noodles with smoked salmon, at local spots.
Sample foods at various food markets to see all the varieties of kimchi and local variants of Korean food.

Visit Yanbian Museum to see ancient artifacts, modern artifacts, and cultural relics related to Korean ethnic group's folk customs.

For dinner, we will visit a trendy area with lots of Korean restaurants to pick from!

Day trip to Changbai Mountain/Paektu Mountain, mentioned in both the North and South Korean National Anthems.

Drive or 1 hour hike to Tianchi Lake, which borders North Korea and China. This mountain and lake is sacred to the Manchu people, who played a central role in the founding of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912).

Trip to Korean Chinese traditional villages to see the rice fields that cultivate some of the best rice in China and learn about the way of life for Korean Chinese people by visiting a homestay for a traditional homemade Korean Chinese meal with a local family (personally organized by Grace and Yongjian).

Visit a local Korean Art Museum to see traditional Korean paintings, calligraphy and historical artifacts.
From Yanji, fly to Seoul, South Korea to catch a flight back to your home country.

Highlights

Hike Changbai Mountain

Hike the famed mountain that is honored in both the North and South Korean national anthems

Ride a Boat on China/North Korea Border

Set sail on a boat that rides along the Tumen River, look closely and you'll see North Korean villages

Dinner in an Ethnic Korean Village

Enjoy a traditional, family style Korean meal in a authentic ethnic Korean village in China

Grace & Yongjian will accompany you on entire experience (except to/from airport and during free time).

We LOVE sharing the beauties of China with our friends and encourage you to ask any questions!

Whenever necessary, we will have local guides and drivers accompanying us as well.
For all our experiences, we strive to pick accommodations that are clean and authentic.

Whenever possible, we choose to support small, local guesthouses run by people from the community.

Costs differ between single and double occupancy, please review the costs below
Every night, you will try different traditional dishes of the region we are in. Family style means you will share food with your fellow travelers. Both of us are HUGE foodies and we can vouch for the quality of the food we pick!

If you have any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, etc.) or food allergies, please inform us in advance of the trip so we can make this trip enjoyable and safe for you.
In this virtual pre-departure orientation, we will cover essential apps (payment, maps, VPNs, eSIMs) and practical on the ground tips that will help you navigate China like a local.

It's also an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and ask us any questions!
For any sites mentioned in the itinerary that require an entrance ticket, the cost of the ticket for each traveler will be covered.

Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable.
All overland transportation, including high speed trains, buses, and rideshares.

Metro rides within cities are not covered.

Transportation during free time is not covered.

Any transportation to Beijing (flight or train) before the trip begins is not covered and any transportation after Day 9 is not covered.
To remember your trip, you will receive a From Roots to Bridges themed goodie bag! Inform us of your t-shirt size prior to the trip.

What Is Included

What Is Not Included

- Travel Insurance (REQUIRED for every traveler)

- China & South Korea Tourist Visa (if required)

- Meals Not Included in the Itinerary

- Breakfast, lunch, and alcoholic drinks

- Personal Expenses (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)

- Room service, laundry, incidentals

- Activities not a part of the itinerary

- Hospital bills and related medical expenses
- Damaged or lost personal possessions

Costs

Single Occupancy

$2500 USD (includes VAT)

You will have a room and bathroom to yourself

Screenshot 2025-05-15 at 10.41.04 AM.png

Double Occupancy

$2000 USD (includes VAT)

You will share a room with a person of the same gender or your requested roommate

What Our Travelers Say

Jurrien & Sandra

Together with Grace and Yongjian, we travelled for almost 2 weeks through the province of Yunnan. Having never been to China, we felt a bit overwhelmed with the required preparations for this huge country. Even before we crossed the border from Vietnam to China, they prepared us in every possible way. From how to use Alipay and WeChat, to buying SIM Cards and setting up a VPN. Their knowledge about the area was astounding. Especially on the topics on (local) cuisine and culture, they introduced us to so much we didn't know. The itinerary chosen, suited well with our interests and the execution went very well.

Sebastien

China wasn’t on my travel list until Yongjian and Grace's captivating passion and deep knowledge opened my eyes to its wonders. Their guidance was essential in securing a SIM card, managing payments, booking trains and ordering food. This allowed me to fully embrace Yunnan’s rich diversity, from vibrant markets and museums to stunning landscapes and historical sites. The region’s varied ethnic groups and incredible cuisine enriched every moment. This trip not only left me with precious memories and a new perspective on travel and China but also the gift of friendship with two remarkable people I now call friends.

Angela & Yang

During our trip to China, especially in Fuzhou, Grace and Yongjian made our experience truly unforgettable. Although we have visited China several times before and speak the language (more or less), it can still be challenging to navigate the country, as everything changes so quickly. What made the journey even more special were the fascinating stories they shared about their own trips and the history and culture of the region. Touring with Grace and Yongjian was an absolute pleasure, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone, who want an effortless and memorable trip!

Matt

I've lived in mainland China for over seven years and I was thrilled to join Yongjian and Grace for my first visit to Fujian Province. Together the three of us made stops at the historic district of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Xichan Temple, and the Overseas Chinese Museum. It was a pleasure touring Fuzhou with Yongjian and Grace, who were kind enough to introduce local delicacies and locate vegetarian restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Yongjian and Grace--you will not be disappointed!

Ted

I had a wonderful time traveling with Yongjian and Grace. They created a comprehensive itinerary with unique, hard-to-find experiences while remaining flexible and open throughout the trip. Their approach to travel planning reflects their commitment to cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement

with the communities they visit.

I would definitely go on another trip with them!

Frequently Asked Questions

This group experience is designed for adults, 21 years and older.

If you have minors who would like to join an experience like this, we can arrange a private experience specifically for your family. Please note that each minor requires at least one adult 21+ years old to accompany them.

Refer to our Private Experiences to learn more.
We ask that you enter in our Interest Form where your family is from and if there is enough interest in visiting that destination, we will consider adding it to the itinerary if possible. The cost of the experience may change.

Alternatively, we can host a Private Experience for you to your family's hometown.
Yes, we generally advise our travelers coming to China to get a Chinese tourist visa in your country of residency. If you have confirmed that your trip to China can be done under the 10 or 30 day visa free policy, then you do not need to apply for a Chinese tourist visa.
Visa-Free Entry Policies
10-Day Visa-Free Transit: Travelers from many countries (e.g., US, UK, Canada) can stay up to 10 days in certain Chinese cities (like Beijing or Shanghai) if transiting to a third country (proof of onward ticket required). Note that this trip does NOT quality for this policy, as we will be visiting Jilin.
30-Day Visa-Free Access: Citizens of 38 countries (e.g. France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan and Negara Brunei Darussalam) can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days under mutual agreements.
Note: Policies may change—always verify with this official webpage before travel.

From Roots to Bridges will not accept responsibility if you are refused entry to China because you lack the correct visa documentation.
You should book your departure flight from your home country to Beijing and your return flight from South Korea.
Prior to traveling to China, you should download WeChat (communication and payments) and AliPay (payments and more).
If you need to use Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, or Google Apps during the trip, download a VPN. Refer to our China Apps guide to see which other apps are required and recommended.
In China, we recommend you to buy a 3HK E-SIM.

If you would prefer to get a physical SIM card, we will bring you to a physical store in China to get a SIM card.
Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to China.

For this experience*, our cancellation policy is below. To cancel your spot, you must email us at hello@graceandyj.com. If applicable, you will receive a refund to your original form of payment between 5-14 business days, excluding bank transaction fees.

More than 60 days prior to departure: Cancellation fee of 20% of total price (deposit)

Between 45 – 60 days prior to departure: Cancellation fee of 40% of the total price

Between 30 – 45 Days: Cancellation fee of 60% of the total price

Less than 30 days prior to departure: No refund

After trip departure: No refund

*Note: Different experiences may have different deposit amounts and cancellation policies. Please refer to each experience page for the most up to date information.
We understand that medical emergencies may cause you to not be able to attend this trip or cut the trip short.

Therefore, we require our travelers to buy travel insurance before the trip begins to cover unforeseen cancellations.

Our Travel Philosophy

We started traveling around China in 2023 with a desire to reconnect with our ancestral homeland. From then to now, we have traveled to half of China's provinces & regions. In the process, we realized that the beauty, history, and cultural diversity of China goes well beyond the typical path that tourists take (Beijing, Shanghai, etc). We want to show you the real China, from the cities to village in China's undiscovered provinces and regions. Whether or not you can speak Chinese, we want to help you navigate all the complexities that come with traveling around China and foster an environment that allows you to connect on a deeper level with Chinese culture, people, language, and food. Learn more from our videos!

Helpful Resources

How to Apply for a Chinese Visa
[for Americans] [free]

The first step to traveling to China is applying for a Chinese visa. We know that paperwork can be daunting and want to streamline the process for you in our step-by-step guide!

Buy Now

Our Recommended
Travel Packing List [free]

Heading on a domestic or international trip soon? We have a packing list that you can use to make sure you have packed every essential for your next trip!

Buy Now