Dandong Border Port in Liaoning

Dandong Border Port (丹东口岸) is a significant gateway located in the southeastern part of the Liaodong Peninsula (辽东半岛), in the center of Northeast Asia. It includes both land and waterway sections, with a total of five Class I ports and eight Class II ports, along with the newly proposed Dandong Airport Port. Dandong serves as a vital land corridor connecting the Korean Peninsula with China and the Eurasian continent.

Key Statistics:

  • Location: Dandong City (丹东市), Liaoning Province (辽宁省), China

  • Port Type: Class I and II Ports (一类口岸和二类口岸)

  • Annual Cargo Handling Capacity: 40 million tons

  • Berth Capacity: 19 berths

  • Storage Area: 5 million square meters

Infrastructure and Functions

Land Port:

  • Yalu River Bridge (鸭绿江大桥): Known as the China-North Korea Friendship Bridge, this bridge connects China to North Korea. It is used daily by both cross-border trains and freight vehicles, although the old bridge design is outdated and often causes congestion.

Waterway Port:

  • Dandong Port: Located on the west bank of the Yalu River, it is an important ice-free port in Northeast Asia. The port consists of two major areas—Dadong Port (海港) and Langtou Port (河港)—with a total cargo handling capacity of 40 million tons per year.

Key Facilities and Infrastructure

Railway Port:

  • China-North Korea Friendship Bridge (中朝友谊桥): Built in 1943, this single-line railway bridge requires rail gauge conversion due to the difference between China and North Korea’s rail systems. The bridge handles approximately 1.2 million tons of freight daily.

  • New Yalu River Bridge: Completed in 2014 but still not operational due to delays in infrastructure construction on the North Korean side. This bridge was funded with a 2.2 billion RMB investment from China.

Road Port:

  • Location: Situated at 7 Shiwai Road, Zhenxing District, Dandong, the port includes a joint inspection building equipped with a 5G intelligent inspection system, reducing cargo clearance time to just 18 minutes.

Waterway Port:

  • Dandong Paper Dock (二类口岸) and Dahezi Dock (二类口岸): These docks mainly handle aquatic products and daily necessities.

Cross-Border Tourism and Border Trade

Cross-Border Tourism:

  • Group Tours to North Korea: Starting in July 2025, group tours to North Korea will resume. Passengers need to apply for a visa through a designated travel agency, and the Dandong–Pyongyang K27 International Train will be the primary mode of transport.

Border Trade:

  • National Border Trade Zone: The Guomenwan Trade Area (国门湾贸易区) is a major center for goods from five Northeast Asian countries. The annual trade volume exceeds 400 million RMB, benefiting over 60,000 border residents.

Latest Developments

New Bridge Progress:

  • China is pushing for North Korea to complete the infrastructure for the New Yalu River Bridge, but international sanctions have delayed the full operation of the bridge. The estimated time for completion is still pending.

Regional Planning:

  • Dandong plans to enhance its status as the sub-center city of Liaoning Province, strengthening its port economy and building a Northeast Asia logistics hub.

For further inquiries, visitors can check the official Dandong City Government website or contact the Dandong Border Inspection Station for updates.

Port Description

Dandong Port is located at the mouth of the Yalu River in the east of the Liaodong Peninsula. It is the closest international port to both the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Islands. As the northernmost ice-free harbor on the mainland, it plays a pivotal role in international shipping.

Key Infrastructure:

  • Berths: The port has 19 operational berths with an annual throughput capacity of 40 million tons. It is a vital hub for both cargo and passenger transport, connecting to over 70 ports in more than 30 countries, including Japan, South Korea, North Korea, and Russia.

  • Expansion Projects: Since 2009, Dandong Port has been expanding into deep-sea areas with the construction of new harbor basins and berths. Key developments include the completion of a 100,000-ton grain berth and a 50,000-ton multi-purpose berth.

Construction and Management

Dandong Port is managed by the Dandong Port Office, with customs, border inspection, and maritime authorities overseeing the port’s operations. The port facilitates all entry and exit formalities for passengers, cargo, and transport vehicles.

Development Advantages:

Since China’s reform and opening-up policies, Dandong Port has seen substantial growth in its infrastructure. The city now has a comprehensive traffic system including land, sea, and air connections, making it a crucial hub for both trade and passenger transport.

Future Prospects

Port Capacity:

  • In 2014, Dandong Port handled over 320,000 passengers, and the region remains China’s largest land-based trade hub for North Korea. Over 70% of China’s trade with North Korea passes through Dandong, cementing its role as the primary trade gateway for bilateral commerce.

Economic Impact:

Dandong’s development as a major port city has helped expand and improve Sino-Korean trade relations, benefiting not only the local economy but also fostering regional economic integration in Northeast Asia.