
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
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki is still drawing…and walking in his Vans
Japanese men reveal their favorite women’s lingerie colors in survey
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 most perfectly translated Pokémon names【Weird Top Five】
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
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
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
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
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
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