About Dandong

Dandong, with a population of 2.4 million, is the largest Chinese border city facing North Korea, located at the mouth of the Yalu River in Liaoning Province. The city serves as China's primary gateway to the Korean Peninsula, connected to North Korea's Sinuiju by the iconic Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge built in 1943. Dandong holds immense strategic and economic importance as the primary conduit for approximately 70% of trade between China and North Korea, making it a crucial hub for cross-border commerce, tourism, and diplomatic relations.

The city played a pivotal role during the Korean War (1950-1953), serving as the main supply route for Chinese forces and suffering extensive damage from American bombing campaigns. Today, Dandong has transformed into a modern port city while maintaining its historical significance. The city's unique position allows visitors to observe North Korea across the Yalu River, with views of Sinuiju and the infamous "Broken Bridge" (Yalu River Broken Bridge), a testament to wartime destruction. Dandong's economy thrives on border trade, light manufacturing, and tourism, with visitors drawn to its strategic location and the opportunity to glimpse into one of the world's most isolated nations.