Museum of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Yanji

The Museum of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (延边朝鲜族自治州博物馆), located in Yanji City, Jilin Province, China, serves as a significant local historical museum that showcases the unique cultural heritage and history of the Korean ethnic group in the region. Established to preserve and promote the rich traditions of the Korean people, the museum occupies an area of over 20,000 square meters and features an extensive collection of artifacts, with nearly 15,000 items in total, including more than 500 national-level precious relics.

The museum’s collections are diverse, encompassing ancient relics, modern artifacts, and items related to Korean folk customs. Among its notable exhibits are the stele and murals from the tomb of Princess Zhengxiao of the Bohai State from the Tang Dynasty, a copper mirror with intricate patterns, and a double-handled glazed ceramic jar. Additionally, the museum houses historical objects that reflect the revolutionary struggles of the Yanbian people, such as blankets used during the revolution, a bomb from Yanji, and anti-Japanese propaganda banners.

The museum features several key exhibitions that provide insights into the history and culture of Yanbian. One of the primary exhibitions is the “Ancient Historical Artifacts of Yanbian,” which showcases artifacts from the Paleolithic period to the Qing Dynasty, highlighting the region’s historical development. This exhibition emphasizes the cultural evolution of Yanbian, particularly during the primitive society and the Tang Dynasty’s Bohai Kingdom, as well as the Jin Dynasty’s Eastern Xia Kingdom. The artifacts displayed illustrate the close connection between Yanbian, located on China’s northeastern frontier, and the central plains of China, demonstrating the region’s distinct cultural characteristics.

Another significant exhibition is the “History of the Yanbian People’s Revolutionary Struggle,” which details the resistance efforts of various ethnic groups in Yanbian against imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism during the old democratic revolution. This exhibition particularly focuses on the struggles during the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War, showcasing the contributions made by the Yanbian people in developing, constructing, and defending the border areas of the country.

Additionally, the museum hosts the exhibition highlighting the life and contributions of Zhu Dehai, an outstanding political activist of the Korean ethnic group and a dedicated member of the Communist Party of China. This exhibition emphasizes the achievements and legacy of Zhu Dehai, inspiring visitors with the history of local heroes.

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

The Museum of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture is located at 8229 Changbai Mountain West Road in Yanji City, Jilin Province, China. To get there, you can take bus Yanji 28 and get off at Yanbian Museum Stop (延边博物馆站).