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Dandong

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Dandong is a major coastal prefecture-level city in China. It is located in the southeastern part of Liaoning province. The city sits in the northeastern region of the country. It occupies a very important place on the edge of the land. Dandong is the largest Chinese border city in the region.

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

It sits on the northwest shore of the Yalu River. This river acts as the official border between China and North Korea. Across the water, you can see the city of Sinuiju. The Yalu River flows southwest until it meets the Korea Bay. This bay is a part of the much larger Yellow Sea.

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

The geography of Dandong is shaped by its access to water. The city has a coastline that includes several islands. These include Dalu Island, which means "great deer island." It also includes Xiaomai Island, which means "wheat island." The city's climate follows a humid continental regime. This means it has long, cold winters and humid summers. Winter lasts for about four months, from late November to March. The coldest temperatures usually happen in January. Summer heat is moderated by the nearby ocean. The city receives about 2,459 hours of sunshine every year.

Dandong Short Bridge
Dandong Short Bridge

Dandong has a very long and complex history. Evidence suggests people settled here during the Gojoseon kingdom. Many different dynasties have controlled the region over time. This includes the Han, Tang, Liao, and Ming dynasties. In 1876, the area was known as Andong County. The name "Andong" meant "pacifying the east." This name reflected China's power over Korea at that time. During the Manchukuo era, it was the capital of Andong Province.

Anto Station 02
Anto Station 02

In 1965, the city officially changed its name to Dandong. This name means "red east." The change helped the city avoid names that felt imperialistic.

Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-12
Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-12

The city has seen significant conflict during modern history. During the Korean War, the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge was targeted. The United States bombed the bridge between November 1950 and February 1951. An older iron bridge was also bombed during this time. Today, the remains of that Japanese-built iron bridge still stand. It now serves as a war monument for visitors.

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

The city's location makes it a strategic hub for resources. It is a major export production center for Liaoning province.

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

Trade is a massive part of the local economy. Dandong is a vital link for commerce with North Korea. A large amount of North Korean international trade flows through here. In fact, about half of the bilateral commerce between China and North Korea goes through Dandong. The city imports about $468 million worth of products.

The city's total GDP was approximately CN¥89.07 billion in 2022. The Port of Dandong is also expanding. The Chinese government announced a $7.1 billion expansion in 2011. This helps the port become a major international logistics center.

Dandong is a very diverse place to live. There are at least 48 different ethnic groups in the city. Han Chinese people make up about 64.59% of the population. The Manchu people are the second largest group at 32.43%. Other groups include Mongols, Koreans, the Hui, and the Sibe. You can see the Korean influence in many places. Many signs and advertisements use the Korean language. There are also many Korean restaurants and schools in the city.

Mao Zedong Statue in Dandong
Mao Zedong Statue in Dandong

Transportation connects Dandong to many other major cities. The Shenyang–Dandong intercity railway runs several times a day. You can also take night trains to Beijing or Shanghai. There are even international trains that link Beijing to Pyongyang. These trains cross the Yalu River using both Chinese and North Korean carriages.

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

For road travel, several national highways and expressways serve the area. The city is also a popular place for tourists. In 2004, the city had 5.86 million tourists. This helped the local economy grow significantly.

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