'''Dandong''' (_O?), formerly ''Andong'' (__?), is a city in Liaoning Province, China, right next to the North Korean border.
Get in
By Plane
Dandong Airport (IATA: DDG) - Flights to and from Dandong are limited, so it's probably better to fly in/out of Dalian or Shenyang and then take the train or bus to/from Dandong. Airport is 13 miles west of town and an airport shuttle is available. Flights are available to Guangzhou, Qingdao, Sanya, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.
By Train
Trains from Shenyang several times a day with night trains to Beijing, Dalian, Changchun and Qingdao. From Dalian, the train takes a slow route of almost 10 hours, while buses can complete the journey in 4. You can also take the train to Pyongyang, North Korea and Moscow, Russia, if you have the proper visas.
By Bus
The long-distance bus station is at 98 Shiwei Lu, near the train station.
'''Beijing''' - takes about 10 hours
'''Shenyang''' - takes about 3 hours
'''Tonghua''' - takes about 5 hours
Dalian Express Buses (Dalian Kuai Ke)leave from the Baoshan Shicheng on Gong'an Jie. The trip takes about 4 hours.
Get around
As the city of Dandong is not large and the lack of efficient public transportation, the taxi is probaly the most common using for getting around. Almost all of the drivers accept the price of \10 anywhere inside the city.
See
'''North Korean Border''' As the boundary between China and North Korea, the Yalu river flows over 300 km between the countries. Yalujiang Park is the best place to view North Korea, visit the original bridge across the river and possibly take a fast boat ride up and down the river along the border. The '''Yalu Jiang Duan Qiao''' bridge reaches only halfway across the river, the other half having been disassembled by the Koreans. The remaining half was strafed by fighter planes in the Korean War. For 20RMB one can walk out to the end of this half-bridge
'''Cenotaph of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea''', a large museum and monument built on a hill overlooking downtown Dandong and the Yalu river. The many, well-labeled bilingual exhibits venerate the courageous Chinese _gVolunteers_h Army, and offer a rather different perspective on the history of the Korean war.
'''Dagu Shan (Lonely Mountain)''' 90 km southwest of Dandong, several Tang dynasty Taoist temples occupy the mountain site. Access is by bus from Dandong to town of Gushan
'''Hu Shan Changcheng (Tiger Mountain Great Wall)''' 25 km northeast of Dandong, Ming dynasty section of Great Wall of China which travels parallel to river was restored to decent condition. The section is steep so watch footing
Do
It's possible to cross into Sinuiju, North Korea by train from Dandong, and then change trains to get to Pyongyang. Numerous local tour groups can sort out the paperwork without referring to Beijing and arrange a relatively budget-friendly visit to Pyongyang for Chinese and foreign tourists. The cheapest deals involve joining a large group and can go as low as around \2000 for a three night/four day package. Bargain hard.
Of course, the usual restrictions apply (see North Korea for details).
Buy
Eat
The town, because of the location, has a lot of Korean restaurants with most congregating on the street facing the river. Give the shiguo Banfan (stonepot rice), also known as bibimbop in Korean, a try as well as the huoguo (hot pot). If you think you could handle it, xiangla gourou (spicy dog) is something that could be made available to you. There are also a few North Korean restaurants in town (owned by the North Korean government, with North Korean waitresses), recognizable by the Chinese and North Korean flags over the entrances.
Drink
Sleep
Dandong Yalujiang Mansion. 7 Jiuwei Rd., Dandong. 0415)2125901. 0415)2126180.
Post & Telecommunications Hotel. 8 Qiwei Lu, Dandong. 0415)2166888. 0415)2135988.
'''Zhonglian Dajiuian''' [http://www.zlhotel.com.cn] Great views and comfortable rooms with a bowling alley, cigar room, and western buffet. The cafe has views of North Korea, 143 rooms, Telephone: (0415) 317 0666 Fax: (0415) 317 0888, on Shangmao Luyou Qu A Qu
Get out
Fenghuangshan National Park — 52 km northwest of Dandong, 840m high mountain dotted with Tang, Ming and Qing dynasty temples, monasteries and pagodas.
The historic city of Shenyang
The city of Dalian and its wonderful coastlines