🌟 Dandong: Heroic Memories by the Yalu River 🌟

Strolling on the Broken Bridge of the Yalu River, the river breeze carries the scent of gunpowder, and the steel plates underfoot still bear the bullet holes left by the war 70 years ago. That year, 2,600 Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldiers crossed the river from here, but never returned home... 🌉 Past of the Broken Bridge This iron bridge, built by the Japanese in 1909, was once the "First Railway Bridge" connecting China and Korea. In November 1950, the US military dispatched over a hundred sorties to bomb and destroy it. The remains of the broken bridge we see today, every scar tells the story of those war-torn years. Under the setting sun, gazing at Sinuiju on the opposite bank, one can almost hear the melody of "My Motherland" echoing across the river. It is said that the soldiers went to the front lines singing this very song. 🏰 Exploring Hushan Great Wall Climbing to the Hushan section, the easternmost point of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, I was surprised to find that the bricks here were stacked at an angle! Locals told me that this was a special "horse-face wall" built by Ming Dynasty craftsmen to defend against Jurchen cavalry – its outwardly slanting and inwardly straight structure made it impossible for enemy soldiers to gain a foothold when climbing. Standing on the watchtower and looking into the distance, the Yalu River winds like a jade belt, no wonder this place is known as the "First View of the Great Wall". 🚂 Time at Andong Old Street Stepping into the well-preserved former site of "Andong County Town", the Russian-style architectural complex from 1904 is striking. The "King of Korean Cold Noodles" on the old street has been passed down for three generations. The silver-haired 'Amoni' will tell you in an authentic Pyongyang accent: "Our family uses elm bark flour, and the recipe has been passed down since wartime!" 🌄 Night Talk at Jinjiangshan Park One evening, while overlooking the entire city from Jinjiangshan, I chanced upon an elderly model aircraft enthusiast. He pointed to Silk Island in the middle of the river and said: "In 1951, our MiG Alley was right here!" It turns out this peaceful river surface was once the battlefield for the world's first jet aircraft aerial combat. The old man comes here every week to fly his fighter jet models, saying he's doing it for his old comrades-in-arms to see today's peaceful scene.