Hekou Broken Bridge | Passage to War

Dandong China

Hekou Village Cruise Tour

Statue of General Peng De Huai

Our other Dandong tour option is not in the city centre itself. Today we trundle about 70 km north of Dandong city, meandering our way often parallel to the Yalu River that separates China and North Korea, and arrive at a fascinating little village; Hekou (河口村).

Model of a tank used in the Korean War in Hekou village, near Dandong, China. Tour arranged by KTG travel ie KTG tours

The Korean War is tangible in Hekou Village

Famous for its peaches, Hekou is also the point used by Chinese troops to enter the DPRK in the Korean War. And this is tangible once there. Model tanks, planes, bronze statues, busts, and red flags commemorate the efforts of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army in the Cold War’s first military conflict.

A little-known fact by many is that Mao Zedong's son, Mao An Ying, participated in the Korean War and perished there. His remains are still buried in the DPRK.

Dandong Tours Available

We offer two main Dandong tours. These can of course be combined into a 2 night/3 day tour.

Hekou Tour Itinerary

"An Enthralling Glimpse into Rural North Korea"

We start early in the morning and take our private vehicle for about an hour, through lush hills and occasionally driving parallel to the DPRK.

War plane used in the Korean War at Hekou village, near Dandong, China. Tour arranged by KTG travel ie KTG tours

War plane used in the Korean War, Hekou

Hekou Broken Bridge

"Passage to War"

After arriving in Hekou, we visit the Hekou broken bridge. Decorated with bright, red flags, this bridge was used by Chinese troops to enter Korea in the Korean War. It runs roughly to the middle of the Yalu River, just where the river’s water turns Korean.

Hekou village near Dandong in China. KTG offers tours to the Chinese/Korean border as well as to NOrth Korea

You will have the chance to take some pictures by Mao An Ying’s statue. North Korea lays in the background.

Yalu River Boat Ride

"Close-up Views of Another World"

Map showing the boat ride along the Yalu river that connects China and North Korea at Hekou village, near Dandong, border city with North Korea (DPRK). Tour arranged by KTG Tours

Map of Hekou and North Korea

Picture of one of travellers in Hekou. The map depicts part of the boat trip route you will take.

Boat ride by a brigde in the Yalu river that connects China and North Korea at Hekou village, near Dandong, border city with North Korea (DPRK). Tour arranged by KTG Tours

One of the many bridges connecting China and North Korea

Seeing locals getting on with their daily lives in rural North Korea, in areas not opened to tourists, from so close is an unforgettable experience.

Glancing at the DPRK

A surreal glimpse into a completely different land and described by many as a dreamlike experience.

Taking a boat ride along the Yalu river in Hekou village, near Dandong, border city with North Korea (DPRK). Tour arranged by KTG Tours

Gettting closer to the DPRK

Into the mist. You can see a North Korean village in the distance. Eventually you will approach the DPRK, being extremely close to North Korean soil and having the chance to see people getting on with their everyday routines.

Views of North Korea (DPRK) at Hekou village while having lunch. Tour arranged by KTG Tours

Views of the Hekou Broken Bridge and of North Korea

After our intriguing Yalu River boat ride, lunch will be had at the local village by the river where you will have prime views of the Broken Bridge and of the DPRK. A fabulous chance to slowly digest what we have seen so far.

Tiger Mountain Great Wall

"Viewing North Korea from the Ming Dynasty"

We then head south and go the most eastern extension of the Great Wall; Tiger Mountain Great Wall (虎山长城).

Main Gate of Tiger Mountain Great Wall

Located to the northeast of Dandong, the Tiger Mountain Great Wall was built in the Ming Dynasty, rising steeply over Tiger Mountain (Hushan), before descending to the banks of the Yalu River, just barely metres away from North Korean soil. Intriguingly, older fortresses dating back to the Koguryo and Han dynasties have been found on Hushan (Tiger Mountain).

The Great Wall in Dandong, China, runs up steep and offers amazing views of North Korea, DPRK. Trip arranged by KTG Tours

The Great Wall in Dandong runs up steep, offering staggering views of North Korea

The walk on the Great Wall is steep at parts, and worth every single effort. As you reach its peak, the views of North Korean villages and fields, sometimes filled with propaganda music in the background, remind one that distance is not an essential factor when it comes to being worlds apart. You will then descend to the shores of the Yalu River, where you will be a few meters away from North Korea. The narrowest point being the “One Metre Hop” (一步跨).

We usually combine our Hekou Day Tour with a visit to the Great Wall. But please note that we can arrange other options instead in Dandong city, such as a visit to the Yalu River Broken Bridge in the city centre or to the War Museum.

Statue of Chairman Mao Zedong

"Leading the Way"

We then drive to downtown Dandong where we will have time to pose for some pictures in front of Chairman Mao’s giant statue by the train station before ending our tour.

Statue of Chairman Mao Zaodong in Dandong city, Liaoning province in China, boder city with North Korea (DPRK). Tour arranged by KTG Tours

Dandong City Tour

If you prefer to see downtown Dandong, then please see our Dandong City Tour below. You can also combine both tours.

Entrance to the Yalu River Broken Bridge in Dandong just across from Sinuiju in North Korea, DPRK. Trip arranged by KTG Tours

Bridge Facing Sinuiju City in North Korea

Downtown Dandong

Picture taken on the Hekou Broken Bridge on a trip to Hekou village near Dandong, China, across from North Korea

Statue of Chairman Mao Ze Dong's son, Mao An Ying, in Hekou Village

Hekou Village Tour Report

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