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Dandong

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Dandong is a large and busy city in the Liaoning province of China.

Andong and Shingishu map circa 1930
Andong and Shingishu map circa 1930

It sits in the northeast part of the country right on the coast. The city is located on the northwest shore of the Yalu River. This river is very important because it marks the border between China and North Korea.

Andong and Shingishu map circa 1930
Andong and Shingishu map circa 1930

Across the water, you can see the North Korean city of Sinuiju. The river flows southwest until it reaches the Korea Bay. This bay is part of the much larger Yellow Sea.

Because it sits by the ocean, Dandong is a major port city.

Yalu River Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge as seen From Dandong, China 2002
Yalu River Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge as seen From Dandong, China 2002

Ships can use the port to move many different goods. The city is also a big center for making things to sell. It is known for producing the Dandong Yellow Sea brand buses.

Many trains connect the city to other places like Shenyang and Beijing. You can even take an international train from Beijing to Pyongyang. This train passes right through Dandong and over the river.

Train-Crossing-North-Korea-China-2014
Train-Crossing-North-Korea-China-2014

This area has a very long and changing history. People have lived in this region since the time of the Gojoseon kingdom.

Great Wall of China at Dandong
Great Wall of China at Dandong

Over many centuries, different groups like the Han and the Tang ruled here. In 1876, the area was known as Andong County.

Anto Station 02
Anto Station 02

During the Korean War, the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge was bombed by the United States. The city eventually changed its name to Dandong in 1965. This new name means "red east." Even today, you can see an old iron bridge that serves as a war monument.

Many different kinds of people call Dandong home. There are at least 48 different ethnic groups living in the city.

Mao Zedong Statue in Dandong
Mao Zedong Statue in Dandong

The Han Chinese are the largest group, making up about 64% of the people. The Manchu people are the second largest group.

Mao Zedong Statue in Dandong
Mao Zedong Statue in Dandong

You can also find Mongols, Koreans, the Hui, and the Sibe people there. In some parts of the city, you might even see signs written in the Korean language. This shows how many different cultures live together in one place.

If you visit Dandong, you will notice the weather changes with the seasons. The city has long, cold winters that last from November to March.

Dandong Short Bridge
Dandong Short Bridge

The summers are often warm and humid because of the nearby sea. The city gets a lot of sunshine throughout the year.

Dandong Short Bridge
Dandong Short Bridge

People often visit the area for its interesting history and its views of the river. In the past, the city even won awards for being a clean and beautiful place to visit. It remains a very important place for trade and travel in northeast China.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-12.jpg
Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-12.jpg
File:Great_Wall_of_China_at_Dandong.jpg
Great_Wall_of_China_at_Dandong.jpg
File:Anto Station 02.jpg
Anto Station 02.jpg
File:Andong and Shingishu map circa 1930.PNG
Andong and Shingishu map circa 1930.PNG
File:Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-12a.jpg
Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-12a.jpg
File:Bridge from Sinuiju, North Korea across the Yalu River to Dandong.JPG
Bridge from Sinuiju, North Korea across...
File:Train-Crossing-North-Korea-China-2014.jpg
Train-Crossing-North-Korea-China-2014.jpg
File:Mao Zedong Statue in Dandong.jpg
Mao Zedong Statue in Dandong.jpg
File:Dandong Short Bridge.JPG
Dandong Short Bridge.JPG
File:Yalu River Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge as seen From Dandong, China 2002.jpg
Yalu River Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge...
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