Quanhe Border Port in Jilin

Quanhe Border Port (圈河口岸) is an essential land border crossing between China and North Korea, located in the southeast of Jingxin Town (敬信镇), Hunchun (珲春), Jilin Province (吉林省), along the Tumen River (图们江). This port is crucial for international passenger and cargo transportation, as it directly connects China to North Korea’s Wontong Port (元汀口岸) via a cross-border highway bridge.

First established in 1936, the port was upgraded to a national class I port in 1998. Infrastructure development began in 1999 and the port officially opened in 2000. It is strategically positioned to support road and rail transportation between Northeast Asia’s logistics network, with an annual design capacity of 600,000 tons of goods and 600,000 passengers.

Key Statistics:

  • Location: Southeast of Jingxin Town, Hunchun City, Jilin Province

  • Opened: Officially operational since 2000

  • Port Type: National Class I Highway Port (国家一类口岸)

  • Cross-Border Link: Connects to North Korea’s Wontong Port (元汀口岸)

  • Design Capacity: 600,000 tons of goods and 600,000 passengers annually

  • Region: Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin Province (吉林省延边朝鲜族自治州)

Location and Infrastructure

Quanhe Border Port lies 42 kilometers southeast of Hunchun, China, and 48 kilometers from North Korea’s Rason Port (罗津港). It is connected via the 500-meter-long Quanhe Border Bridge (圈河国境桥), with a weight limit of 60 tons. The bridge is the only land route for cross-border transport between China and North Korea in this region.

  • Bridge Length: 500 meters (250 meters on the Chinese side)

  • Bridge Capacity: 60-ton weight limit

  • Cross-Border Link: Direct connection to Wontong Port (元汀口岸) in North Korea

  • Distance to Nearby Ports: 48 km to Rason Port (罗津港), 82 km to Russia’s Posyet Port (波谢特港)

History and Development

Early History:

Quanhe Border Port has been a vital land route since the construction of the first bridge in 1936. In 1998, following approval from the State Council, the port was upgraded to a national class I port, enhancing its capacity for both passenger and cargo traffic. In 1999, construction began on infrastructure, including the inspection facilities and border inspection building, which were completed in 2000.

Modernization:

In 2022, the port’s integrated inspection building was upgraded to further improve the efficiency of customs clearance and border inspections.

  • Infrastructure Completion: Inspection building with 4,127 square meters and 12 inspection channels

  • Upgrades: In 2022, a new inspection facility improved border clearance processes

Port Facilities and Operations

Infrastructure:

The port’s inspection building spans 4,127 square meters and is equipped with intelligent clearance systems to manage the growing volume of cargo and passengers. The facility includes 12 entry and exit inspection lanes.

The port’s strategic location is supported by an extensive transportation network, including the Hunchun to Quanhe Expressway (珲春至圈河高速公路), which spans 53.1 kilometers and features three major bridges, connecting the border area to the city of Hunchun.

  • Inspection Building: 4,127 square meters with 12 inspection lanes

  • Cross-Border Bridge: 500 meters, weight limit of 60 tons

  • Expressway: 53.1 km, dual four-lane highway

Cross-Border Operations:

  • Daily Passenger Flow: Up to 2,000 passengers per day

  • Freight: Handles trade goods, including daily consumer goods and agricultural products

  • Transportation Routes: Goods are transported via the Quanhe Border Port to Rason Port (罗津港) and then distributed internationally

Economic and Strategic Importance

Quanhe Border Port serves as a critical economic link between China, North Korea, and Russia. The port supports international trade by facilitating the flow of goods and passengers, especially between China and North Korea. Its role is pivotal for trade and logistics in Northeast Asia, with plans to expand its capacity to 600,000 tons of goods and 600,000 passengers annually.

  • Key Economic Role: Main gateway for goods traveling between China, North Korea, and Russia

  • Trade Volume: In 202X, cargo traffic reached 193,000 tons, contributing significantly to cross-border trade

  • Logistics Network: Strengthens Hunchun’s position as a hub in Northeast Asia’s logistics system

Transportation and Tourism

Nearby Attractions:

  • “One Glance at Three Countries” Scenic Area (防川): Located near the border, this area offers panoramic views of China, North Korea, and Russia, making it a unique tourist destination.

  • Scenic Views: Visitors can enjoy views of North Korea’s countryside and the Tumen River (图们江).

Travel Tips:

  • Documents Required: Travelers must carry passports or border passes for crossing.

  • Drones: Permission is required for drone photography.

Future Developments

Infrastructure Expansion:

  • Expressway Upgrades: The Hunchun to Quanhe Expressway project, set to be completed by 2024, will feature a four-lane design, reducing travel time by 40% and boosting the port’s capacity to 600,000 tons of freight annually.

  • New Monitoring Systems: A new integrated monitoring system is set to improve customs efficiency starting in 2025.

Strategic Vision:

Quanhe Border Port is part of broader plans to establish Hunchun as a logistics hub in Northeast Asia. The ongoing expansion and upgrades are aimed at making the port a major transportation and trade center for China and its neighboring countries.

  • Logistics Hub: Plans to integrate the port into a broader international logistics network, supporting trade across Northeast Asia

  • Economic Growth: Enhancing the port’s infrastructure and capacity will facilitate future economic growth, strengthening the port’s role as a key logistics node.

With its growing infrastructure and strategic location, Quanhe Border Port will continue to play a central role in fostering economic ties and facilitating trade across Northeast Asia.