Fangchuan Scenic Area (防川风景区)

Fangchuan Scenic Area (Fangchuan Fengjingqu) lies in Fangchuan Village, Jingxin Town, Hunchun City, Yanbian Prefecture, Jilin Province, at the point where the Tumen River meets the borders of China, Russia and North Korea. It is often described as the place where visitors can look into three countries at once, and it is one of the most distinctive border viewpoints in China. The main structure is the Dragon-Tiger Pavilion (Longhuge), a tall viewing tower from which the river mouth, the railway bridge linking Russia and North Korea, and the Sea of Japan beyond are visible on clear days. Nearby sites include a border marker, the village and wetlands along the river. Entry is about CNY 70, with students at about half price, and the area is open roughly 8:00 to 17:00. Because Fangchuan is in a border zone, a passport check at the gate is required, and visitors should follow instructions and avoid photographing military posts. A visit takes two to three hours. The site is about an hour from Hunchun town by tour minibus, with a taxi round trip costing about CNY 300. Crowds are modest, with tour groups arriving in summer and around national holidays. The best months are May to October, when the area is green and the views are clear, while winter is cold and the viewing tower may offer reduced facilities. The pavilion gives the best panorama, and photographers take wide views over the river and wetlands in the morning. Visitors should bring identification, sun protection and insect repellent, since the wetlands attract mosquitoes in summer.