Stayed at Shanlin Hotel in Yanji, just relaxed completely.
Family! I found the perfect way to relax in July in Yanji—stay at the foot of the mountain, stroll through the forest during the day, enjoy delicious food at night, and don’t worry about anything, just pure relaxation! 🛋️
Really, this is how a vacation should be! Rushing to see sights is too exhausting. Finding a comfortable place to stay is the right way to beat the summer heat.
🌲 Day 1: Leisurely walk on Mao'er Mountain · Slow down the pace
On the first day, I didn’t plan much, just took it easy and went to Mao'er Mountain.
Not the kind of trip where you “have to climb to the top,” but more like “go wherever you feel like.”
Slept in the morning, left after 9 a.m., and drove about 20 minutes to get there. At the foot of the mountain, there’s a Korean ethnic village. I wandered around the village, looked at traditional houses, and bought some freshly made rice cake at a small shop at the village entrance—hot and fresh, dipped in soybean flour, very fragrant.
Then I started hiking.
Though it’s called hiking, it’s really just walking on a wooden boardwalk, very gentle and not tiring at all. Trees on both sides form a canopy, letting sunlight filter through the leaves, creating patches of light.
I walked very slowly, took photos of beautiful flowers, stopped to listen to birdsong, and chatted with interesting people I met along the way...
I met a very friendly lady picking wild vegetables who shared a lot of knowledge about which wild plants are edible, which aren’t, and the best ways to cook them. I followed her for almost half an hour, listening to many fascinating stories.
In the end, I didn’t reach the summit but sat for a long time in a pavilion halfway up the mountain.
Feeling the mountain breeze, listening to birds, looking at the distant city... all work, KPIs, and worries were forgotten.
That afternoon, I had only one feeling: comfort.
🍃 Day 2: Deep relaxation in the forest park · A spa for the lungs
On the second day, I went even further—I found a forest and stayed there all day.
It’s a secondary forest at the foot of Mao'er Mountain, with wooden boardwalks, a small stream, and several pavilions. Very few people were around when I visited.
I brought a mat, found a pavilion by the stream, laid out the mat, and started my “forest relaxation plan.”
In the morning, I just lay there listening to music or closed my eyes to listen to the water and birds. The stream babbled, the wind rustled the leaves, and birds sang... better than any white noise app.
Had some bread and fruit I brought for lunch, then took a nap—sleeping in the forest is amazing! The cool breeze and birdsong as background sounds made for a deep sleep.
In the afternoon, I walked along the stream. The water was very clear, and I could see little fish swimming. I took off my shoes and stepped into the water. Oh my, it was freezing! But after a while, it felt very refreshing, cooling my whole body.
I stayed like this all day, barely looking at my phone.
When I went back in the evening, I felt completely reset and refreshed.
Truly, after staying in the city for a long time, people need to recharge in the forest regularly.
🌃 Day 3: Leisurely city stroll · Experience the local vibe of Yanji
On the third day, I didn’t visit any attractions, just wandered around the city.
In the morning, I went to the West Market—the famous Korean ethnic market.
It has everything: spicy kimchi, rice cakes, rice sausages, various pickles, pollock fish... and many things I couldn’t name. I was dazzled and wanted to try everything.
I bought some kimchi and rice sausages, plus a few bags of dried fish to bring back for friends. The vendors were very friendly, constantly encouraging me to taste their goods, and it felt very warm and welcoming even if I didn’t buy anything.
In the afternoon, I went to the popular wall near Yanbian University—the one with the Chinese-Korean bilingual sign.
Honestly, it’s great for photos, very exotic. But I found the surrounding small shops even more interesting: various cafes, dessert shops, clothing stores... all decorated with great style, making it very comfortable to stroll around.
I sat in a café all afternoon, ordered a special Korean rice cake latte, which tasted quite unique—sweet with the chewy texture of rice cake.
Just sitting there, reading, daydreaming, watching people pass by outside the window...
Very relaxing.
🌙 Night bonus: Burhatong River Music Fountain
At night, you must see the Burhatong River music fountain!
I went around 7 p.m., before it was completely dark. The fountain changes with the music—sometimes high, sometimes low, with colors shifting from one to another... very spectacular.
There were many people around: families with kids, couples, elderly... everyone was taking photos and occasionally exclaiming “Wow.” The lively and happy atmosphere was very contagious.
After watching the fountain, I walked along the riverbank. The river breeze was cool and refreshing. There were many street vendors selling small accessories, snacks, and ring toss games... very lively and full of local flavor.
I bought a grilled sausage, ate while walking, and watched people chatting and laughing around me...
At that moment, I suddenly felt this is what summer should really be like.
📝 Yanji Relaxed Summer Escape Summary
If you want a place to just relax, Yanji is perfect:
· Comfortable temperature: neither too cold nor too hot, perfect for anything
· Slow pace: no need to rush to attractions, explore at your own pace
· Lots of delicious food: different every day, happiness guaranteed
· Not crowded: fewer people compared to popular tourist cities
My little tips for relaxing:
· Don’t plan too many attractions, one or two a day is enough
· Leave plenty of time to daydream, stroll, and eat
· Stay somewhere comfortable; good accommodation really boosts vacation happiness
· Don’t rush; vacations are more fun when you take it slow
Finally, I want to say—we’re already tired enough in daily life, so don’t overload your vacation with too many tasks.
Find a comfortable place, eat good food, see beautiful sights, daydream, and take walks...
That’s the true meaning of a vacation.
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Accommodation
🏨 Xian She Resort Hotel
A wild luxury resort hidden in the forest, with an excellent 9.6 rating, private and quiet environment, a natural oxygen bar beside Mao'er Mountain, the top choice for a relaxed vacation.
🏨 Huahai Resort Hotel (Yanji Korean Ethnic Folk Park Dinosaur Kingdom Branch)
A garden landscape resort hotel, pet-friendly with brand-new facilities, one-stop camping BBQ and afternoon tea, conveniently close to attractions, an excellent choice for leisure vacations.
🏨 Xianshe Resort Hotel (Yanji Yanbian University West Market Branch)
City resort hotel with free gym and buffet breakfast, garden views, simulated golf, fishing, billiards, KTV, all-in-one for dining and entertainment.
🏨 Yanji Huayi Kairos Hotel
A high-end city landmark hotel with Korean ethnic design style, 24th-floor scenic buffet restaurant, prime location overlooking the city, offering a high-quality vacation experience.