Friendship Pass
友谊关
One of China's nine famous passes, the former site of the Ming-era Zhennan Pass, where the Battle of Zhennan Pass took place in 1885 and which is now an important China–Vietnam border crossing.
Friendship Pass lies on the China–Vietnam border southwest of Pingxiang City. It was first built in the Han dynasty, formerly known as Yongji Pass and Zhennan Pass. The gate tower standing today was rebuilt in 1957, and the passage beneath the tower remains a national border gate. During the Sino-French War of 1885, veteran general Feng Zicai won the Battle of Zhennan Pass here. Beside the gate tower are relics including the French-style building, the site of late Qing-era China–France negotiations, and the Jinji Mountain fortifications on Zuofu Mountain. Visitors can climb the gate tower, view the border gate and the ‘Zero Kilometer’ marker. A visit takes about 1–1.5 hours, and admission costs about RMB 40–60. Nearby Puzhai and Nonghuai are known for border trade and rosewood markets. A taxi from Chongzuo South Station takes about 1.5 hours, and from Pingxiang city center about 20 minutes. Visitors must carry photo ID to enter the border zone.
Opening hours
08:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Xiaoliancheng Fortress
- Longzhou Uprising Memorial & Old Town
- Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art
- Nonggang National Nature Reserve
- Shijinglin Karst Park
- Mingshi Countryside
- Anping Xianhe Scenic Area
- Zuojiang Leaning Tower