Dandong Yalu River Broken Bridge: Tickets, History & Visitor Tips

Your Essential Guide to Dandong:

Yalu River Broken Bridge Tickets & Visit Review

Written & Photographed by ©Haibubu

Are you planning a day trip to Dandong from Dalian, hoping to catch a glimpse of North Korea?

If Dandong is on your itinerary, one absolute must-visit destination is the iconic Yalu River Broken Bridge.

Today, we're sharing everything you need to know for your Dandong trip, including how to book your Yalu River Broken Bridge tickets and our firsthand experience visiting this historic site!

Yalu River Broken Bridge Ticket Booking

A ticket to the Yalu River Broken Bridge costs 30 Chinese Yuan per person, which is approximately ~$4 USD.

By booking your tickets in advance through the link below, you can skip the lines and enter directly using a QR code. It's incredibly convenient!

(No need to exchange for a physical ticket!)

Book Yalu River Broken Bridge Tickets Here

Next up, let's dive into our experience visiting the Yalu River Broken Bridge.

Our Yalu River Broken Bridge Visit Review

The Yalu River Broken Bridge is located about 0.6 miles from Dandong Station, roughly a 15-minute walk. This bridge, initially constructed by the Japanese Government-General of Korea Railway Bureau in the early 1900s, was the first bridge to span the upper reaches of the Yalu River.

To enter the bridge, simply show the QR code from your pre-booked ticket to the staff at the entrance.

At the entrance, you'll see statues of soldiers, almost as if they're marching out. As a site deeply connected to the poignant history of the Korean War, it's a place that evokes a sense of solemn reflection.

Be sure to snap a photo at the bridge's entrance before you start your walk – it's a prime photo opportunity!

The Broken Bridge once connected China and North Korea, but it was destroyed by US forces during the war, leaving it dramatically severed. Despite this, it remains a popular spot for many visitors because it offers the closest vantage point to see North Korea on foot.

Along the bridge, you'll find exhibition panels detailing its history. Take a moment to read through them to gain a deeper understanding of this significant landmark.

As you walk to the very end of the Broken Bridge, you'll be able to see North Korea's 'Ilsim Dankyeol Building' (often referred to as Taeyang Apartments) relatively close up. While it's unclear if people actually reside there, seeing North Korea with my own eyes was truly fascinating. To experience this unique feeling, a visit here is absolutely essential!

Upon exiting the bridge, I noticed it's listed as one of China's Top 10 Border Tourist Attractions! It was quite interesting to see Korean text on the signage.

On your way out from the Broken Bridge, you'll find a series of souvenir shops worth exploring. Given its location in a border region, it wasn't surprising to see alcohol shaped like weapons for sale. However, to avoid any potential misunderstandings at customs, I wouldn't recommend purchasing these as souvenirs.

You can also find Pyongyang Beer, which is harder to come by in other countries, for 15 Chinese Yuan (approximately ~$2 USD). This makes for a unique souvenir!

As someone who enjoys collecting magnets, I also had a great time browsing the variety of magnets available!

The Yalu River Broken Bridge, a must-visit in Dandong, offers a truly unique opportunity to see North Korea with your own eyes.

If you're making the journey to Dandong, I highly recommend experiencing this special place.

You can book your Broken Bridge tickets directly below.

>> Yalu River Broken Bridge Ticket Booking Link