What is the New Yalu River Bridge and where does it connect?

The New Yalu River Bridge is a 3,024-meter, four-lane motor bridge connecting Sinuiju in North Korea with Dandong in China. It is scheduled to open to traffic after remaining unused since construction was completed in 2014.

Why was the New Yalu River Bridge unused for more than a decade?

The bridge remained idle because North Korea did not finish the buildings and infrastructure needed on its side. Vehicles were recently spotted crossing it, suggesting preparations or a possible test run before its official opening.

How will the New Yalu River Bridge affect traffic and exchanges between North Korea and China?

The bridge is expected to boost trade and personnel exchanges between the two countries and ease congestion on the old, one-way road. It will supplement the Friendship Bridge, which has long been the main crossing over the Yalu River.

New cross-border bridge between N. Korea, China to open Thursday: report

Listen

Summary

The New Yalu River Bridge connecting Sinuiju in North Korea and Dandong in China will open Thursday after remaining unused for more than a decade. China’s Xinhua News Agency reported that an opening ceremony will be held that day. The 3,024-meter, four-lane bridge is expected to increase trade and personnel exchanges and ease congestion on the existing Friendship Bridge.

Key Facts

Construction of the New Yalu River Bridge began in October 2011 and was completed in October 2014.
The bridge remained unused because North Korea had not completed buildings and infrastructure on its side.
Vehicles were recently seen crossing the bridge, raising the possibility that a test run had taken place.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged at their June summit in Pyongyang to raise bilateral ties to a strategic level and enhance exchanges.
The existing Friendship Bridge opened in 1943 and has long served as the main crossing over the Yalu River.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 14, 2026 1:15 pm KST
Updated Oct 14, 2026 1:42 pm KST

New Yalu River Bridge is seen on Oct. 6. Yonhap

A bridge between North Korea and China will officially open to traffic this week after sitting idle for more than a decade following its construction, according to a Chinese news report on Wednesday.

The New Yalu River Bridge, which connects the North Korean city of Sinuiju and Dandong in China, will open Thursday, according to China's Xinhua News Agency.

There will be an opening ceremony on that day, the report said.

The entrance to the New Yalu Bridge can be seen from Liaoning Province, China, Oct. 5. Yonhap

The construction of the four-lane motor bridge began in October 2011 and wrapped up in October 2014, but it stood unused for years because North Korea did not finish the buildings and infrastructure on its side.

Vehicles have recently been spotted crossing the 3,024-meter bridge, raising the possibility of a test run.

The bridge, which is expected to boost trade and personnel exchanges between the two countries, opens after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged at their June summit in Pyongyang to raise their ties to a strategic level and enhance exchanges.

It would supplement the existing Friendship Bridge, which opened in 1943 and has long been the main crossing over the Yalu River.

The new bridge is expected to ease congestion on the old, one-way road linking the two countries.

Explore More