Sandaohe Korean Ethnic Folk Village

Sandaohe Korean Ethnic Folk Village

Sandaohe Korean Ethnic Folk Village is situated at the border between China and North Korea and at the intersection of Liaoning and Jilin provinces as well as the three cities of Dandong, Ji’an, and Benxi. It is three kilometers east of the government office of Xialuhe Korean Ethnic Township in Kuandian County. The Lushui River makes its third bend here, which is how the village got its name. It is located right next to the Danji Highway and is a must-pass destination for travelers from around the world heading to the UNESCO World Heritage Site — the Goguryeo Fortress City in Ji’an.

Shaped like a Taiji diagram, Sandaohe is a picturesque mountain village with beautiful scenery. In front of the houses lie emerald-green rice paddies, while behind them flow murmuring streams. In spring, azaleas bloom all over the hills, and in autumn, the fragrance of ripe rice fills the air along with the crimson hues of maple leaves covering the mountains. The villagers are all ethnic Koreans who settled here a century ago after migrating from the Korean Peninsula. To this day, they maintain their fine traditions and customs — being musically inclined, hospitable, respectful of the elderly, valuing education, and placing importance on cleanliness. It is the most well-preserved village in the Dandong area when it comes to traditional Korean culture and folk customs.

Sandaohe Korean Ethnic Folk Village is home to Liaoning Province’s only Korean Ethnic Folk Museum, which houses over 2,000 cultural artifacts. There is also a 50,000-square-meter Korean Ethnic Folk Culture Park featuring century-old Korean houses and traditional courtyards. In the courtyards, visitors can see elderly Koreans weaving straw shoes and women weaving on looms. Tourists can join in traditional dances, play on swings, try seesaw jumping, practice archery, and go fishing. The park’s Korean Food Hall is designed in a classic traditional style and can accommodate up to 300 diners. Here, visitors can try their hand at making rice cakes and pressing elm-tree noodles. The Mengxiangyuan Guesthouse features traditional Korean-style heated floors (ondol) and can host 200 guests wishing to experience Korean nightlife. The Chunxiang Square, themed around the love story of Chunhyang and Lee Mong-ryong from the classic Korean tale “Chunhyangjeon,” captivates young couples. Additionally, the scenic and winding Sandaohe River offers rafting experiences that leave visitors enchanted.

The rich and vibrant folk culture has drawn the attention of experts and scholars from both China and abroad, while the stunning scenery has attracted numerous photographers, painters, and writers. Taiwan’s CTi Entertainment filming crew and CCTV Travel Channel have shot special programs here. The village also serves as a practical training base for universities such as Eastern Liaoning University, receiving large numbers of college and vocational students for educational visits and internships every year.

Address: Xialuhe Korean Ethnic Township, Kuandian Manchu Autonomous County, Dandong City, Liaoning Province