Major city · China
Dandong丹东
Go for one night: walk the Broken Bridge at opening (¥30), see North Korea from the river promenade, then move on.
Dandong is China's largest border city, sitting on the Yalu River across from Sinuiju, North Korea. Almost everything a visitor wants — the bombed Broken Bridge, the riverside promenade with binocular views into North Korea, the Korean War museum — sits within a walkable strip along the river. One full day covers it; two nights lets you add the Hushan Great Wall and a slower look at the old street.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 250+ mm in July), Jan–Feb (down to -11 °C (12 °F))avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 250+ mm in July), Jan–Feb (down to 12 °F (-11 °C))
- Airport
- DDG
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Dandong110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dandong, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyDandong is a calm, low-crime city; the real risks are the river border (never cross or swim toward it), summer downpours…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDDG Dandong Langtou Airport (21 km (13 mi) west of town; flights are frequently cancelled…DDG Dandong Langtou Airport (13 mi (21 km) west of town; flights are frequently cancelled…
- Getting aroundWalk the riverside strip — the Broken Bridge, promenade and old street are all within about 30 minutes on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealBowl of Korean-style cold noodles¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Beerdraught / can at a convenience store¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the old townAbout ¥10 (≈ US$2)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥1–2 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketBroken Bridge entry¥30 (≈ US$5)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥700 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · Mid CN¥600 (≈ US$85) · High CN¥1,200 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DDG Dandong Langtou Airport (21 km (13 mi) west of town; flights are frequently cancelled, so many travellers fly to Dalian or Shenyang and continue by train (check))DDG Dandong Langtou Airport (13 mi (21 km) west of town; flights are frequently cancelled, so many travellers fly to Dalian or Shenyang and continue by train (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dandong: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
5 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
6 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
6 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the riverside strip — the Broken Bridge, promenade and old street are all within about 30 minutes on foot. Taxis are plentiful and most trips inside the old town run about ¥10; agree the meter is on before you move. City buses cost ¥1–2 but stop as early as 18:00 on some lines and signage is Chinese-only. Shared bikes need a Chinese app.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hushan Great Wall
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h each way
Bus from the long-distance station (about ¥6.5 (≈ under US$1), 40 min) or taxi/ride-hailing (¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6) each way)
Ming-dynasty wall above the Yalu; steep in places. Entry ¥60. Return bus ¥3 from the T-intersection — confirm it is going to Dandong.
Sinuiju, North Korea
cautionDoor to door: Full day or overnight
Organised tour only, by train across the Friendship Bridge
Rules and availability change; book through a licensed operator and check current status before planning around it.
Dalian
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h
Train 2–3 h, or bus about 4 h
Better as the next stop than a day return.
Shenyang
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Train several times a day, about 3 h by bus
The usual onward link for flights and high-speed rail.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Riverside / Broken Bridge area
Zhenxing District along Binjiang Road: walk to the bridge, the promenade and most Korean restaurants. Best for a one-night stop.
Dandong Railway Station area
Practical for early trains and buses; 10–15 min walk or a short taxi to the river.
Moon Island
Island in the Yalu River with hotels, cafés and a summer night market; quieter, needs a bus or taxi to the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥250–450 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥450–900 (≈ US$65–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥900 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × CN¥350 | CN¥350 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥600 | CN¥1,200 |
| Broken Bridge entry2 × CN¥30 | CN¥60 |
| Hushan Great Wall entry2 × CN¥60 | CN¥120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥150 · check | CN¥300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥203 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,117 per person per day, bed included | CN¥2,233≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Bowl of Korean-style cold noodles | ¥20–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Bibimbap or ginseng chicken | ¥35–80 (≈ US$5–12) |
| Beer: draught / can at a convenience store | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Taxi across the old town | About ¥10 (≈ US$2) |
| City bus ride | ¥1–2 (≈ under US$1) |
| Broken Bridge entry | ¥30 (≈ US$5) |
| Hushan Great Wall entry | ¥60 (≈ US$9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Do not swim or wade toward the North Korean bank; the river is the border.
- Taxis: check the meter stays on — some drivers turn it off and ask for more at the end.
- Some bus lines stop running as early as 18:00, so plan the return leg before dinner.Some bus lines stop running as early as 6:00 PM, so plan the return leg before dinner.
- The riverside walkway at Hushan Great Wall was closed as of August 2025 — check before relying on the loop back.
- Crossing to North Korea is only by organised tour and rules change; confirm with an operator, not a street vendor.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Dandong丹东
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Most countries have embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Shenyang; check your own country's list before travelling.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi, old town: about ¥10 (≈ US$2)
- Taxi to the new district: ¥30–50 (≈ US$5–7)
- Bus to Hushan Great Wall: about ¥6.5 (≈ under US$1), 40 min (check)
- Ride-hailing to Hushan: ¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6) each way (check)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshao qián)
- 请打表 — Turn on the meter, please (qǐng dǎ biǎo)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)
- 我不要 — I don't want it (wǒ bú yào)
Keep your passport with you — this is a border area and checks happen.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dandong. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heavy rain, 250+ mm in July), Jan–Feb (down to -11 °C) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DDG: cancellation fallback via Shenyang or Dalian, taxi band, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Broken Bridge and promenade, war memorial, Andong Old Street, Moon Island.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Broken Bridge, war memorial, Hushan Great Wall, Yalu River Art Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Border-rule fixture so the North Korea crossing page can go green or red on current status.