
The city of Dandong lies on the border of China and North Korea separated by the 900-meter wide Yalu River. Taking the China-North Korea Friendship Bridge would take you right into Sinuiju, North Korea, if you have the right permission.
However, word has it that there’s a place upstream of the Yalu where it is only three or four meters across. The place is known as Yibu Kua (“a step across”) due to the fact that one could easily step into the other country by walking across the stones in the river. RocketNews24‘s Kuzo went to check it out.
Our reporter was driven for about 30 minutes outside of urban Dandong to Yibu Kua near the end of the Great Wall of China, one of the major tourist attractions of the area.
Approaching his destination Kuzo found the area to be quiet and lonely with some people selling Chinese chestnuts and souvenirs on the side of the road. A path was made overlooking North Korea that you could walk along to a point.
During his stroll Kuzo came across a pair of binoculars with a sign reading “2 RMB (US$0.32) per person.” Looking through them, Kuzo could see a group of North Korean soldiers guarding the border.
From what he could see the three men were very young; in their teens or early 20s. They were going in and out of their guard box as you might expect on a cold day like that was.
As Kuzo returned home he could feel assured that not only Yibu Kua exists but that even in spite of all North Korea’s proclamations of war, border patrol is universally boring.
Original Article by Kuzo
[ Read in Japanese ]
















North Korea’s High Class International Hotel! Our Reporter Mustered Up His Courage and Checked it Out First Hand.
Conditions in North Korea so bad even the wildlife are making a break for it 【Video】
Our Reporter’s Top 10 Awesome Things About North Korea
North Korea Discovers “Unicorn Nest”, Proves to Kids that it’s OK to Dream Big
70% of South Koreans will donate to fund for unity with North, want US and China to cough up too
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Saitama women arrested for dueling
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Celebrate your oshi’s birthday in style with this fully customisable cake
Nerunerunerune for Adults: Japanese candy tugs at our reporter’s nostalgia…and taste buds
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Is real Tokyo as dangerous as the Yakuza video games? Chapter 3: Crazy Town
Man arrested for violating Japan’s anti-dueling law in downtown Tokyo
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Leave a Reply