Fangchuan, Hunchun

防川

Fangchuan, the easternmost land village of China. From Longhu Pavilion you can see China, North Korea, Russia and the mouth of the Tumen River at once. It is the most frontier-like place in Yanbian.

Fangchuan lies in Jingxin Town, Hunchun City, along the lower reaches of the Tumen River. It is the end of China's eastern land territory. Here Chinese territory forms a narrow 'corridor' between North Korea and Russia. It is only 15 kilometers from the Tumen River's mouth and is known as the 'Eastern First Village' and the place where 'you can see three countries at once'. The main attraction is Longhu Pavilion, a 13-story pavilion in ancient style. From the top (admission about 80 yuan, including the scenic area), you can see Fangchuan in China below, the North Korean town of Tumangang across the Tumen River, the Russian town of Khasan to the east, and the Sea of Japan in the distance (the sea horizon is visible on clear days). You can also see the 'Tu-character' boundary marker where China, North Korea and Russia meet. It dates from the Qing dynasty and is a physical record of the 1886 Sino-Russian boundary survey. The Korea–Russia Friendship Bridge crosses the Tumen River here. Inside the scenic area are the Fangchuan Folk Village (a Korean village with guesthouses and restaurants), the site of the Changkufeng Incident (a 1938 Japan–Soviet clash), and a dune park. Suggested itinerary: hire a car from Yanji or Hunchun for a day trip. In the morning, visit Hunchun city to see signs in Chinese, Korean and Russian and Russian goods. At noon, eat Hunchun's king crab and Russian-style food. In the afternoon, go to Fangchuan and climb Longhu Pavilion to see the three countries. Return in the evening. Hunchun also has tour routes to Vladivostok in Russia. Getting there: the high-speed train from Yanji to Hunchun takes about 30 minutes. From Hunchun city to Fangchuan is about 60 kilometers, roughly 1 hour by chartered car. There is no direct public transport. If you drive, take the riverside road from Hunchun to Fangchuan. On one side is the Tumen River with North Korea; on the other side is the Russian border fence. Notes: border controls are strict, so carry your ID. Some sections have border inspection posts. Photographing military facilities in North Korea or Russia and using drones is prohibited. The wind is strong on the top of Longhu Pavilion.

Fangchuan, Hunchun

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