Getting Around Longjing
Longjing is a small county-level city in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province, in northeastern China. It sits on the Tumen River, right against the North Korean border, and its population is mostly ethnic Korean. Because the city is compact, getting around is simple: most of the center is best covered on foot, and buses fill in the gaps for the railway station and outlying villages.
One thing to clear up before you arrive: this Longjing has nothing to do with the famous Dragon Well green tea. The name is a coincidence, and no tea is grown here.
On Foot
Walking is the most practical way to explore central Longjing. The city is small, so the main streets, markets, and central squares are all within easy reach of each other. The Tumen River embankment is the main promenade and the natural place for an evening stroll, with views across the border landscape.
One caution: avoid walking or traveling to remote townships at night. Rural road conditions outside the center are poor.
Buses
Buses are the backbone of public transport in Longjing. They connect the central county area with the railway station and with remote villages, so they are the mode to rely on if you are heading beyond the walkable center.
- Buses typically run at intervals of roughly 15 to 30 minutes.
- Fares are very low.
- Use them for the railway station and outlying villages rather than for short hops around the center, which are easier on foot.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available, and the easiest way to summon one is the Didi app, the standard ride-hailing service in China. For a visitor, Didi removes the language barrier of explaining a destination to a driver.
Rail Connections
Longjing Railway Station is the city's rail link. It receives trains from Changchun, the provincial capital, and from nearby Yanji. If you are arriving by train, expect the station to be connected to the center by local bus or taxi.
Yanji is the nearest major hub and the gateway to the region, roughly half an hour to forty minutes away. Several other stations lie within reach, including Yanjixi Railway Station and, across the border, stations in North Korea and Russia, but for practical visitor travel Yanji is the connection that matters.
Getting There from the Airport
The nearest airport is Yanji Chaoyangchuan International Airport, which has flights from Beijing and Shenyang. From the airport, the trip to central Longjing takes about an hour by taxi or bus.
If you are arriving on a long-haul international flight, Changchun is the larger hub, but it is four to five hours away by road or rail, so Yanji is usually the better arrival point for Longjing.
Intercity Buses
Intercity buses run regularly in the region. The Yanji to Longjing route takes about one to one and a half hours via the G2011 highway, making the bus a reasonable alternative to the train for this leg.
Tickets, Payments, and Practical Tips
- Carry cash in yuan. Mobile payments through Alipay and WeChat are ubiquitous, and foreign UnionPay cards are more widely accepted than Visa or Mastercard.
- Use Baidu Maps or Gaode for navigation. Western map apps do not function correctly in China.
- Use Didi for taxis.
- English is almost never spoken. Learn a few Chinese or Korean phrases, or carry an offline translator.
- Plan around the seasons: May and September are the most comfortable months, with mild temperatures. Winters are harsh, dry, and windy, while summers are warm and rainy.
- Nightlife in Longjing is very limited, with most cafes and establishments closing by 10:00 PM. Evening activity centers on the parks and the Tumen River embankment. If you want cinemas, karaoke, or entertainment centers, head to Yanji, about half an hour away.