Our Yanjee Adventures: Part 1 - A Trip to Changbai Mountain

The Chuseok holiday came upon the Wendling family and an exciting opportunity came forward - a Trip to Yanjee, China. However, it would only be a trip for Rosanne and Kevin - the kids could not go. So after much thought about the idea - and a number of good friends who offered to watch the girls while they were gone - it was decided that the parents of the family would go to China for a few days.

Along with a number of people from GSIS, and our sister school TCIS, Rosanne and Kevin made their way on a trip that would take them to Yanjee which is just north of South Korea and North Korea. Yanjee is a unique place which has cultural influence of both the Han Chinese and the Koreans. In fact, most of the signs around the city show both languages. Pictured above is Kevin with Kevin - Math Teacher, Steve - History Teacher and IB DP Coordinator, and Andre - History and Bible teacher; all the teachers picture are from GSIS.



On the first day of the trip our group was able to do some sight seeing around town - as seen by Rosanne and this big rock - and able to share some great food as seen below. In the picture below Rosanne and Kevin and pictured with Choua - the last member of the back of the bus gang - eating at a Chinese/Korean BBQ restaurant.

The restaurant was interesting in that Fish, Beef and Pork work all cooked on skewers and that vegetables, which could also be cooked, were found in bowls around the table.


The following the grouped headed to Changbai Mountain. The mountain is actually a dormant volcano which contains a glacier lake. The mountain also serves as a border between North Korea and China.

However, to get to the mountain the group had to take a 4 hour bus ride through many hills and valleys. However, after the long journey the group was ready to get to the top of the mountain.


Before starting our adventure up the mountain, we stopped for lunch. Pictured below was a "very different" lunch consisting of: rice, sauerkraut, sausage, green peppers, and few vegetables that we were unsure of. One of the unique aspects of traveling in different countries is the food you are able to experience. One thing China prides itself on is the ability to grow its own food and because of the vast size of the country and various vegetation zones - China is able to grow many different varieties of foods.


After our hearty meal Choua poses in front of the restaurant to show that she survived.

However, it was a good thing that the group did not eat too much because what happened next. In order to go up to the top of Changbai you could either walk - 2.5 hours to get there - or take a jeep. Not a tough choice - you take the jeep.

Well the Jeeps that drove groups up went an average of 80+ km /hr up the switchbacks to the top of the mountain that was well above the tree line and somewhere around 2 600 km+ above the ocean. Pictured below is Steve getting ready for the trip.


We should have known something was up when we looked at the back of the driver's seat:


I guess with the speed and the movement the driver wanted to be sure that nothing, absolutely nothing bothered him, as we traversed the mountain side. Prior to the start of the trip up we laughed at the sign above - later we realized - that is was there for good reasons.

When we finally made it to the top the view was beautiful, as seen in the pictures below:


The dormant volcano, or crater, was filled with water that created a lake - the largest such lake in the world. Surrounding the lake were many mountains. The water looked as smooth as glass except when a gentle breeze went across the top of the water - like the breath of God.



The day we were on top of the mountain was cloudy, however, it truly added to the beauty of the scenery. To try and describe what Kevin and Rosanne saw would be minimizing the beauty so please enjoy the pictures.





Both Rosanne and Kevin have seen the Rockie Mountains in Alberata, last summer they saw the Glaciers in Alaska - Changbai definitely ranks with them in natural beauty and wonder. One has to believe that when God made the world a little extra time was taken to make Changbai.

At the base of the mountain was a set of waterfalls. So after surviving the jeep ride down from the top of the mountain a number of people went out to see the waterfalls. Pictured above is Kevin, Steve and Kevin.



Pictured above is the group of teachers from GSIS who made the trip to Yanjee. One thing about working at an International School is that the people you work with want to continue to learn, discover and explore the world that they live. GSIS is no different in this regard and the people seen below are handful of many people who took time to see a different part of the world during the Chusok holiday break.



In our next blog we will continue to look at Kevin and Rosanne's trip to Yanjee and in particular look at there journey to the point where the North Korea, China and Russian borders meet. Stay tuned.