A Border Town with North Korea! 5 Recommended Tourist Spots in Dandong City!

Dandong City, located in Liaoning Province in northeastern China, is a border town adjacent to North Korea, separated by the Yalu River. Over 200,000 ethnic Koreans currently live here, and the city is filled with signs in Hangul and Korean restaurants. Tour boats on the Yalu River even allow you to get close to North Korea’s coastline.
Historically, Dandong was part of the Goguryeo kingdom and later became part of Manchukuo during Japanese occupation. This town with a tumultuous history offers a unique chance to experience both Chinese and Korean cultures. Here are five recommended tourist spots in Dandong City for your visit.

1. Yalu River Broken Bridge

The Yalu River Broken Bridge is a symbolic tourist spot in Dandong, the border town. This iron bridge crossing the Yalu River once connected China and North Korea, but as its name suggests, the bridge is now broken in the middle.
Built in 1911, the bridge was 944 meters long, featuring a unique design where its central section could rotate 90 degrees to allow ship passage. However, on November 8, 1950, during the Korean War, an American (UN) bombing destroyed the section extending from the middle to the North Korean side, leaving the bridge impassable. It has since been preserved as a historical heritage site.
Today, the bridge has been restored for tourists, allowing visitors to walk up to the broken edge. The end of the bridge is a popular photo spot, so don’t miss the chance to capture a memorable shot.

2. Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge (Yalu River Bridge)

The Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge connects Dandong City on the Chinese side with Sinuiju on the North Korean side. Symbolizing the friendship between China and North Korea, it is one of Dandong’s major tourist attractions alongside the Yalu River Broken Bridge. Previously known as the Yalu River Bridge, its current name has become more common.
The bridge accommodates vehicles and trains, so pedestrians cannot cross it. While taxis can drive across, you’ll need valid entry and exit documents, as the bridge leads to North Korea, where unrestricted tourism is not allowed.
Even if you don’t plan to enter North Korea, the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge and the Yalu River scenery make for picturesque stops.

3. Yalu River Boat Tours

The Yalu River, which flows between China and North Korea, originates from the southern slopes of Mount Paektu (Changbai Mountain), a legendary birthplace of Kim Jong-il, and flows into the Yellow Sea. Its name comes from its greenish hue, resembling a duck’s head.
While the Yalu River has over 100 tourist spots along its lower reaches, one of the best experiences in Dandong is a boat tour. Near the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, many tour boats line the river, making it easy for foreign tourists to join. Prices vary by boat, so be sure to confirm before boarding.
The boat cruises approach the North Korean city of Sinuiju, where you can see buildings, ships, and even North Korean citizens along the shoreline. For tourists, who rarely have the chance to visit North Korea, this experience might be particularly moving.

4. Jinjiangshan Park

Jinjiangshan Park is located in the northern part of Dandong City and is a popular spot for tourists to get a panoramic view of North Korea. Covering an area of 750,000 square meters, the park features both an amusement park and a zoo, serving as a recreational area for locals.
The highlight for tourists is the "Jinjiang Pavilion" located on the park’s Great Wall. This three-story Chinese-style pavilion offers breathtaking views of Dandong’s cityscape and Sinuiju in North Korea. Such a unique sightseeing opportunity is hard to come by.
Across from the pavilion, hidden among trees, is a stone monument commemorating Emperor Puyi of Manchukuo, also known as the Last Emperor, making it another hidden gem of the park.

5. Hushan Great Wall

The Hushan Great Wall, considered the easternmost section of the Great Wall of China, was built during the Ming Dynasty. Its name, "Tiger Mountain," comes from its shape resembling a crouching tiger when viewed from afar. The wall was restored in 1992 and is now accessible to tourists.
Located about 20 km north of Dandong City, you can take a bus heading to "Kuandian" from Dandong Bus Terminal. Inform the driver that you want to go to "Hushan Great Wall." Once you get off at the entrance, it’s a 2-3 minute walk to the gate. The Great Wall stretches to the Hushan Great Wall Museum and takes over an hour to explore fully. Some parts are steep, so consider your schedule and stamina before visiting.

Summary

How did you like Dandong City’s attractions, where you can experience the history and culture of both China and North Korea? Dandong has an airport, Dandong Langtou Airport, about 14 km from the city center, connecting to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Shenzhen. The city also has Dandong Railway Station, linking to Shenyang via the Shendan Line and international trains to Beijing. Additionally, a high-speed railway connecting Dalian and Dandong is under construction, promising even greater accessibility in the future.
Dandong is a unique town where you can feel like you’ve visited North Korea without leaving China. Don’t miss it on your Liaoning Province trip!

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A Border Town with North Korea! 5 Recommended Tourist Spots in Dandong City!