By Kim Yumi

I studied Chinese in the Republic of Korea and got the opportunity to be an exchange student at Beihua University in 2012. So I began a new life in Jilin province.

Traveling around Jilin province was unforgettable, but it's my everyday life in Jilin city that I wouldn't trade for anything. I can still remember my excitement when I first walked along the Songhua River, admiring the beautiful clean water and green belts beside it. I was also fascinated by the city at night, when lamps and candles threw a colorful veil over the beautiful natural scenery. I found a musical fountain along the river after I boarded a cruise ship, which is reputed to be the longest of all in Asia. The rhythm of the music set the tone for my beautiful evening on the river.

I lived on the university's eastern campus, which is close to several parks. I prefer Wula Park over Jiangnan Park. The Songhua River flows into Wula Park, and you can take a boat to see the whole park. There are also facilities for children to play with water. When summer comes, children will fill the water pool and play. There are public performances in Wula Park, which are generally magnificent and cost very little. Hundreds of artists will be onstage with the Songhua River and Longtan Mountain in the background. A yellow spotlight from Longtan Mountain resembles the Milky Way, and a large fleet of vessels floats on the river. It all comes together to make a sensational experience.

Winter here is colder than in Seoul. Snow is heavier and lasts longer. But it doesn't make me love winter any less. The magical frosty scenery is indescribable—you have to see it to believe it. As a winter sports fan, Jilin is heaven on earth. I went to the snowfields to play games in the snow over seven times. Some of my friends who had never experienced winter before were thrilled and even a little intimidated by this, so I patiently taught them how to play until they finally got into the swing of it. We threw snowballs and built snowmen modeled after cartoon characters, taking pictures with them the whole time. Then the ice melts when the temperature climbs toward the arrival of the spring. Everything is so unforgettable.