Dandong City Tour

"The Great Wall, US Tanks, a River Ride and a Broken Bridge"

Our Dandong City one day tour offers you the chance to have a glimpse into modern and ancient history as well as unique views of Sinuiju city, a major trading hub, in North Korea.

Unlike the Korean Autonomous region of Yanbian in Jilin province, Dandong is not largely populated by Korean ethnic Chinese. However, given its proximity to the DPRK, size and closeness to maritime commerce, there is more visible interaction with DPRK in this part of China.

Tiger Mountain Great Wall

"The Most Eastern Point of the Great Wall"

We start the day nice and early and after breakfast drive across the shores of the Yalu River, viewing North Korea, to the outskirts of town. Our destination; Tiger Mountain (Hu Shan) Great Wall (虎山长城), the most eastern extension of the Great Wall.

Overlook the DPRK from the Wall's steep steps and see its villages across the narrow stream that separates both nations.

The awe created by the fact that this Wall is at some points literally only a few meters away from North Korea, the closest point being the "One Metre Hop" (一步跨), is only beaten by the breathtaking views that there are of the DPRK and the tranquility of the scene, occasionally filled with propaganda music in the background. Sometimes this area also offers you the chance to Korean villagers and local farmers.

Korean War Museum

"War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea Memorial"

Next, we head to downtown Dandong to the "War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea Memorial," aka the Korean War Museum. Original weaponry and vehicles used in the tragic Korean War are exhibited here.

With US troops approaching China, the Chinese sent in their soldiers, millions of them, including Mao Ze Dong's son who never returned (see our other Dandong tour below) hence the large number of US military equipment captured.

This museum was completely renovated and now has captions in English. If you've joined us on one of our tours to North Korea, you may want to contrast it to the Fatherland Liberation War Museum in Pyongyang and see how the Chinese and Korean perspectives on the war compare.

Yalu River Boat Ride

"A Closer Glimpse of the DPRK"

After enjoying a well-deserved filling lunch, our next treat is a boat ride along the Yalu River. Cruise between Chinese and Korean waters to the point where you go by Korean ships and boats and where you can clearly see locals getting along with their lives on the Korean port in Sinuiju city.

Summer offers a great chance to see locals bathing on the Korean side of the river. Binoculars can be rented on the boat and do not be surprised if Koreans pleasantly wave at you, as the sight of foreigners is not that common.

Night views of the pier where we will start our boat ride along the Yalu River. Please note that the boat ride will be in the daytime!

Statue of Chairman Mao Zedong

"Leading the Way"

We then head to Dandong train station where we can take some pictures by Chairman Mao Ze Dong's Statue which stands tall and shows the Chinese people the way. Just a few hundred metres away, across the Yalu River and in the main square of Sinuiju city in North Korea stand two giant bronze statues of President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il.