if you want to get north korean vibe, better go to Yanji. it is korea autonomous region in china. half of the citizen of Yanji are korean. they were north koreans refugee during korean war.
Very interesting but a little depressing and creating some sadness. A reminder of some of the horrors China has gone through in its development and the tragic situation in North Korea. Thanks for bringing this unexpected episode.
That’s a very honest video Iain. I always like your incidental music “I’ve seen a lot of change, the past is not the same, as it was a year ago..” I’m only halfway through the video, but I understand how you feel dislocated from a connection with the City there. It’s not a criticism of you or the place, but it’s an atmosphere that transcends the screen. If copyright was not an issue…. the perfect atmospheric song for this video - in my opinion - would be “Everyday is like Sunday” by Morrissey. … Anyway, I’ve paused the video halfway through to write this comment, so, my thoughts may be premature. Ha, we’ll see! (Later on, just for fun, I may watch the video back with the sound turned down, and Morrissey playing in the background.:-) 👍🏻 Update edit: The crisp weather and bright blue sky along with the pristine park and pagodas certainly lifted the mood a bit in the second half of the video. But, there is clearly a pathos reflected in the atmosphere there - probably because of the war history and the proximity to the sadness of knowing North Koreans are shivering at night without power. The reference to Picasso you made was very apt (and astute.) Great video.
Thank you for the comment. Just getting around to catching up (had the flu) I did struggle to connect with the city at first but in the end I really enjoyed it and wish I had visited when the weather was better because I could feel a pent up desire from people to let loose. I was in a bar near the water front and the bar staff were telling me about the city and how much life is there during the summer and they said I should come back and enjoy the party atmosphere. I do like a smith’s or Morrissey song… the latest movie on Netflix (The Killer) has a full soundtrack of that and it so add to the movie.
I went to Dandong in the month of May (2018), a bit warmer and more daylight hours. In Beijing, there is a NK restaurant in your area, near to Dongdaqiao Station. I wouldn't film in there, but it's worth checking out.
You reminded me of watching two documentary films about Korean war over 30 years ago, shown on tv at the same time, in channel-4 and bbc. Surely the channel-4 film was much better and more balanced.
Yeah, it is a war that never gets that much awareness but it was brutal and now that I seen the terrain I realise how tough it would have been for anyone involved. I would imagine Channel 4 would have been much more balanced. BBC has lost its way even back then.!
We went on a 'river cruise' to North Korea. They didn't tell us we were only going into North Korean waters. It was certainly interesting. Not as good as going there. Koryo tours is good, I understand
I was there about 10 years ago, and I walked on that bridge. The difference between the thriving Chinese side and the shabby North Korean side was even greater than what it seems to be like today. Out of curiosity, I also went to a North Korean restaurant in Dandong. It was a somewhat surreal experience: The North Korean TV was on with some ridiculous propaganda being shown. Then they switched it off and there was an in-house entertainment by beautiful Korean ladies playing and singing, with artificial smiles, looking like trained slaves or robots. I was told by my Chinese friends that these ladies were very privileged to have this job (even though they worked for a pittance because the North Korean state confiscated most of their earnings), but they were closely watched to make sure they don't run away, and that they were mostly relatives of the North Korean ruling elite. Have you been to that restaurant? I can't remember the name now.
I didn’t see that place… but I wish I had as that would have been excellent to visit, experience and to understand. Sounds very interesting- did you like Dandong? I wish I had went during the summer as it feels like it would have been a cool city to experience then..
@@ForAllLifesAdventures I can't really recall whether I liked Dandong as such. It's been a while. My memories of it as a town are totally overshadowed by the experiences of: 1/ having walked on that bridge (poignant!); 2/ seeing that war museum (sad!); 3/ comparing the two sides of the river (revealing!); 4/ having dinner in that NK restaurant (bizarre!). I don't think I would want to travel there again, but I surely do consider the visit to be one of those important educational experiences I am grateful to have.
@@befeleme I think you have a similar experience to me. I liked the city a lot, I was distracted by the history and how close it was to NK a country we are told to dislike… and it was cold, but in the end I did enjoy the trip and glad it went there.
Very interesting episode that I stump upon of yours! it presented past and present, a locked away north and a moved-on, "capitalism" adapted well, south. Both, scare the cr^p out of us. ha.......................
Thanks for watching Ron. This was a good trip and I had to warm up to the city so speak. The difference between NK and China was a bit unsettling. But, you never know what to believe sometimes, so reserve any judgement of NK until I could visit.
It took a while but gradually you warmed up to the city, the people, the food, and the beer.
It did take a while… in the end I loved it.
if you want to get north korean vibe, better go to Yanji. it is korea autonomous region in china. half of the citizen of Yanji are korean. they were north koreans refugee during korean war.
I will definitely add that to my list of places to visit. 👍
Very interesting!
Thanks for watching 👍
Very interesting but a little depressing and creating some sadness. A reminder of some of the horrors China has gone through in its development and the tragic situation in North Korea. Thanks for bringing this unexpected episode.
I am glad you enjoyed it… it was a great place to visit and moving at times because I got to understand the war and the area more.
That’s a very honest video Iain. I always like your incidental music “I’ve seen a lot of change, the past is not the same, as it was a year ago..”
I’m only halfway through the video, but I understand how you feel dislocated from a connection with the City there. It’s not a criticism of you or the place, but it’s an atmosphere that transcends the screen.
If copyright was not an issue…. the perfect atmospheric song for this video - in my opinion - would be “Everyday is like Sunday” by Morrissey.
… Anyway, I’ve paused the video halfway through to write this comment, so, my thoughts may be premature. Ha, we’ll see!
(Later on, just for fun, I may watch the video back with the sound turned down, and Morrissey playing in the background.:-)
👍🏻
Update edit: The crisp weather and bright blue sky along with the pristine park and pagodas certainly lifted the mood a bit in the second half of the video. But, there is clearly a pathos reflected in the atmosphere there - probably because of the war history and the proximity to the sadness of knowing North Koreans are shivering at night without power. The reference to Picasso you made was very apt (and astute.)
Great video.
Thank you for the comment. Just getting around to catching up (had the flu)
I did struggle to connect with the city at first but in the end I really enjoyed it and wish I had visited when the weather was better because I could feel a pent up desire from people to let loose. I was in a bar near the water front and the bar staff were telling me about the city and how much life is there during the summer and they said I should come back and enjoy the party atmosphere.
I do like a smith’s or Morrissey song… the latest movie on Netflix (The Killer) has a full soundtrack of that and it so add to the movie.
@@ForAllLifesAdventures Glad you’re on the mend. Cheers Iain.
@@stephenhill8604 almost back to 100% Stephen. 👍🏼
Nice video - respect - just keep posting!!
Thank you 🙏
Amazing war museum
It was a good visit. China does always present great museums. They do it so well and smartly thought out.
👍
❤️
I went to Dandong in the month of May (2018), a bit warmer and more daylight hours. In Beijing, there is a NK restaurant in your area, near to Dongdaqiao Station. I wouldn't film in there, but it's worth checking out.
I missed that, I did go to another NK place but it was very quiet and the decor was a bit ‘Union Jack’ like colours… all red white and blue!!
❤ love your videos 🤩 beautiful
Thank you for watching 👍
You reminded me of watching two documentary films about Korean war over 30 years ago, shown on tv at the same time, in channel-4 and bbc. Surely the channel-4 film was much better and more balanced.
Yeah, it is a war that never gets that much awareness but it was brutal and now that I seen the terrain I realise how tough it would have been for anyone involved.
I would imagine Channel 4 would have been much more balanced. BBC has lost its way even back then.!
We went on a 'river cruise' to North Korea. They didn't tell us we were only going into North Korean waters. It was certainly interesting. Not as good as going there.
Koryo tours is good, I understand
I would like to go and visit, might try next year. 👍
今天我也去丹东了
Did you like it? I grew to enjoy it after a couple of days. I do need to get back at some point!
I was there about 10 years ago, and I walked on that bridge. The difference between the thriving Chinese side and the shabby North Korean side was even greater than what it seems to be like today. Out of curiosity, I also went to a North Korean restaurant in Dandong. It was a somewhat surreal experience: The North Korean TV was on with some ridiculous propaganda being shown. Then they switched it off and there was an in-house entertainment by beautiful Korean ladies playing and singing, with artificial smiles, looking like trained slaves or robots. I was told by my Chinese friends that these ladies were very privileged to have this job (even though they worked for a pittance because the North Korean state confiscated most of their earnings), but they were closely watched to make sure they don't run away, and that they were mostly relatives of the North Korean ruling elite. Have you been to that restaurant? I can't remember the name now.
Ping liu guan
I didn’t see that place… but I wish I had as that would have been excellent to visit, experience and to understand. Sounds very interesting- did you like Dandong? I wish I had went during the summer as it feels like it would have been a cool city to experience then..
@@ForAllLifesAdventures I can't really recall whether I liked Dandong as such. It's been a while. My memories of it as a town are totally overshadowed by the experiences of:
1/ having walked on that bridge (poignant!);
2/ seeing that war museum (sad!);
3/ comparing the two sides of the river (revealing!);
4/ having dinner in that NK restaurant (bizarre!).
I don't think I would want to travel there again, but I surely do consider the visit to be one of those important educational experiences I am grateful to have.
@@befeleme thank you for that insight… it is like the way I felt when I was there. 👍
@@befeleme I think you have a similar experience to me. I liked the city a lot, I was distracted by the history and how close it was to NK a country we are told to dislike… and it was cold, but in the end I did enjoy the trip and glad it went there.
Very interesting episode that I stump upon of yours! it presented past and present, a locked away north and a moved-on, "capitalism" adapted well, south. Both, scare the cr^p out of us. ha.......................
Thanks for watching Ron. This was a good trip and I had to warm up to the city so speak. The difference between NK and China was a bit unsettling. But, you never know what to believe sometimes, so reserve any judgement of NK until I could visit.