Yalu River

Overview

About

The Yalu River scenic area in Dandong, Liaoning, covers the middle and lower river from the mouth of the Hun River in the east to Dadonggang in the west, 210 km, in six parts: the river mouth, the bridge, Hushan, Taipingwan, Shuifeng and Lüjiang.

The river runs about 300 km through Dandong, broad and gentle here, between rugged cliffs and dense woods, with old fortress ruins, remains of the Ming Great Wall and large waterworks.

The Yalu rises on the southern slope of the Changbai Mountains in Jilin and flows 795 km south into the Yellow Sea, the border between China and North Korea.

The Broken Bridge over the Yalu was built in the early 20th century as a railway bridge between Dandong and Sinuiju. US aircraft cut it in November 1950; four spans remain on the Chinese side and only piers on the Korean side. It is a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level. The Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, about 100 m upstream, dates from 1943.

The name first appears in the New Book of Tang, which says the water is "the colour of a duck's head".

It is in the second batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1988.

Travel tips

Getting there: Dandong is the starting point, linked to Shenyang and Dalian by high-speed rail; Shenyang to Dandong takes a little over an hour. The city is on the river, and sights are spread among the river front, the Broken Bridge, Hushan and Shuifeng Lake.

City river front: the Broken Yalu River Bridge and the riverside road are in town and can be walked. The far bank is North Korea; boats on the river let you see both banks from close by, within designated waters.

Hushan: Hushan Great Wall stands on the river about 15 km northeast of the city. Liaoning treats it as the eastern starting point of the Ming Great Wall, and the far bank can be seen from the hill.

Shuifeng Lake and upstream: Shuifeng Reservoir lies north of Dandong. It is a broad lake with mostly hill-and-water scenery, far enough away to need a day of its own.

Border rules: the river bank is a border management zone. Carry your ID, do not photograph military facilities, and do not throw anything towards the far bank.

Time: the city waterfront and Hushan take a day; the lake and farther sights need another.

Season: summer is best for the boats and riverside walks, and autumn colour is good. Winter is very cold, the river carries ice and boat services are reduced.

Yalu estuary wetland reserve

On 19 April 2007 a week-long international birdwatching festival opened at the Yalu estuary wetland nature reserve in Dandong.

Nearby

Straight-line distances. Search nearby