A Trip to Dandong For 30 hrs. (Updated 2023)

Updating the travel situation in Dandong. 

Being here now in the summer of 2023, I can definately say that tourism is once again booming to the same depth as it was prior ro COVID. Dandong's economical sustenance generally comes from what seems to be Hydro-Electricity; International Trading with North Korea and Tourism.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic Dandong was right up there with ridiculous restrictions and inconveniences with that of Shanghai.

Coming here last year, I actually got threatened with a fine if I didn't stay with a proper hotel that was going to register me in as a resident.

I returned this summer and didn't they want to make me sit and wait for the better part of an hour and half at the police station because I was staying with a private residence of a colleague rather than a hotel.

At some point one needs to question, "would they know and find me if I did not go voluntarily to register locally?" Jerks.

Anyways, Dandong is bustling with BBQ on the sidewalks and bad traffic, nothing two feet and a heartbeat can't balance out.

Somethings never change, but this year I am hopeful to get to the Phoenix Mountain for a trek and send off the last adventure my North Face boots will have. Literally, the sole is flapping off the heel of my foot now. These boots earned the right to have one last climb-for sure.

Taxi prices have climbed (in a very tiny way), and there are still many taxi scams where in which they double dip on fares going in the same directions, but just be sensible-then again they generally avoid foreigners to avoid misunderstandings if they are not confident in their own ability to communicate well with people in general (taxi drivers I mean).

Going to North Korea-rumours are trips are still going in, but I generally would like to travel with YPT (Young Pioneer Tours), however they are saying there are no live trips just yet.

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Long ago, a colleague was heading to Dandong, asked for reccomendations, I posted this back in 2018. 

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An Honorable Mention of travel experience; and a good note to those traveling to Dandong! 

"Hi,

I'm including Carmelo in this chat, as I mentioned, Carm's wife is from Dandong originally so he's been there a number of times and is willing to help where possible.    I've stayed at the Dandong Hilton before, they have a nice buffet breakfast and a decent swimming pool as well.   The last time I went, I stayed at the Wanda Realm Dandong.  It's brand new and is attached to a shopping mall.  I was pretty amazed by how nice it was so it's another option if you can book that for a similar price.

Carm, please help build a list of things to see and do. Especially any specific names of restaurants or tour companies you'd recommend.

1)  Visit the war museum

2)  Walk the river front area and take in the bridge that was blown apart during the Korean war.

3)  Go and see the great wall... do this only if you don't have time to go while you are in Beijing.  Seeing the wall in Beijing is a lot more impressive.

4)  Take a river cruise to see the North Korean side of the river.  There are number of companies offering this tour.

5) Eat at some of the amazing Korean style restaurants.

6)  Go for a soak at a bathhouse and hang out in the common area for a few hours.  Some of these places are HUGE inside and worth seeing.

Anyways, this is a good start to keep you busy for the 30 hours. Carm, thanks again."

Reply by 我

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Hey, 

All excellent recommendations. If you can have access to a cellphone or something while you are there I may be able to manage a speed boat tour through the small inlets of North Korea.

Funny story about the war museum-In my cohort of teachers in Dalian, A few friends had gone and seen the museum (they said it was very interesting). I went 1...ONE month or so later...gone. Literally. DEMOLISHED. They said they were rebuilding it. They have been, and it was "supposed" to be done about 2 years ago...#chinachanges...fast 

There is one bath house that comes to mind-the one I got married at..true story-but yes its that "grand".

ChangBaiShan BBQ (great place to grab a bite).

FengHuangShan if you want to go for a hike in the mountains .

Try the NORTH KOREAN BEER.

I'll need to get the name of the craft brewery there as well.

contact info-email: carmelobono@mapleleafedu.com 

Tel: 13164532916

If you guys have issues or need translating, give a shout.

Safe travels!

In the future if you are traveling my way, don't be afraid to get in touch.

Reply by 我
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Cheers man, I’ll send you the Chinese and English of the locations at the bottom of this email-share it out, have fun with it and if you can’t speak any Chinese at the bath house, just keep in mind-anything over 100$ (CAD) (500¥) is more than a massage haha just a heads up-it’s not easy trying to talk yourself out of that bill-had to do that for a few people before-avoid that mix up man. Know what you want and gauge the price relatively carefully.

for most places show the name to a taxi and they will take you there. The furtherest thing is the speed trip-a bit more of a challenge, gotta call the guy and tell him where you are-it’s about 200¥ a person per ride I believe.

Bathhouse Xing gong Guan 星公馆洗浴

Microbrewery: Song Jia Niang Brewery

http://maps.apple.com/?q=Songjianiang+Brewery&ll=40.1155662536621%2c124.364204406738&sll=40.1155662536621%2c124.364204406738&ppois=40.1155662536621_124.364204406738_Songjianiang+Brewery

Taoyuan 桃源街15

Dandong Speedboat close to the Great Wall 虎山长城月亮湾快艇

Tiger Hill Great Wall 虎山长城

Changbaishan BBQ:长白山烧烤 沿江开发区

Reply by: 我