Yalu river - wikipedia Yalu river `` Yalu '' redirects here. For other uses, see Yalu ( disambiguation ). `` Amrokkang '' redirects here. For other uses, see Amrokkang Sports Club. Yalu ( 鸭绿江, ᠶᠠᠯᡠ ᡠᠯᠠ ) Amrok or Amnok ( 압록강 ; 鴨綠江 ) Name origin : Manchu, `` the boundary between two countries '' Countries China ( PRC ), North Korea ( DPRK ) Provinces Jilin ( PRC ), Liaoning ( PRC ), Ryanggang ( DPRK ), Chagang ( DPRK ), North Pyongan ( DPRK ), Sinuiju SAR ( DPRK ) Source South of Heaven Lake, PRC - DPRK border, Paektu Mountain - coordinates 41 ° 58 ′ 8 '' N 128 ° 4 ′ 24 '' E ﻿ / ﻿ 41.96889 ° N 128.07333 ° E ﻿ / 41.96889 ; 128.07333 Mouth Korea Bay - coordinates 39 ° 52 ′ N 124 ° 19 ′ E ﻿ / ﻿ 39.867 ° N 124.317 ° E ﻿ / 39.867 ; 124.317 Coordinates : 39 ° 52 ′ N 124 ° 19 ′ E ﻿ / ﻿ 39.867 ° N 124.317 ° E ﻿ / 39.867 ; 124.317 Length 790 km ( 491 mi ) Location of the Yalu River Yalu River Chinese name Traditional Chinese 鴨 綠 江 Simplified Chinese 鸭 绿 江 show Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Yālù Jiāng Wade -- Giles Ya - lu Chiang IPA ( jálû tɕjáŋ ) Wu Romanization Ah loe kaon Yue : Cantonese IPA ( ʔáːplʊ̀kkɔ́ːŋ ) Jyutping Aap luk gong Korean name Chosŏn'gŭl 압 록 강 Hancha 鴨 綠 江 show Transcriptions Revised Romanization Amnokgang McCune -- Reischauer Amnokkang Manchu name Manchu script ᠶᠠᠯᡠ ᡠᠯᠠ Romanization Yalu ula The Yalu River, also called the Amrok River or Amnok River, is a river on the border between North Korea and China. Together with the Tumen River to its east, and a small portion of Paektu Mountain, the Yalu forms the border between North Korea and China and is notable as a site involved in military conflicts such as the First Sino - Japanese War, the Russo - Japanese War, World War II, and the Korean War. Contents 1 Name 2 Geography 3 History 4 Economy 5 Crossings 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Name Two theories are given regarding the origin of the river 's name. One theory is that the name derived from Yalv ula in the Manchu language. The Manchu word yalu means `` the boundary between two countries ''. In Mandarin Chinese, yālù phonetically approximates the original Manchu word, but literally means `` duck green '', which was said to have been once the color of the river. The other theory is that the river was named after the combination of its two upper branches, which were called `` 鴨 '' ( Yā or Ap ) and `` 綠 '' ( Lù or R ( or n ) ok ) ``, respectively. Revised Romanization of Korean spelled it Amnokgang ( Korean pronunciation : ( amnok. k͈aŋ ) ; `` Amnok River '' ) and Revised Romanization of Hangeul spelled it Aprokgang ( Korean pronunciation : ( amnok. k͈aŋ ) ; `` Aprok River '' ). Geography From 2500 m above sea level on Paektu Mountain on the China -- North Korea border, the river flows south to Hyesan before sweeping 130 km northwest to Linjiang and then returning to a more southerly route for a further 300 km to empty into the Korea Bay between Dandong ( China ) and Sinuiju ( North Korea ). The bordering Chinese provinces are Jilin and Liaoning. The river is 795 km ( 493 mi ) long and receives water from over 30,000 km2 of land. The Yalu 's most significant tributaries are the Changjin ( 장진 강 ; 長 津江 ), the Hochon ( 허천 강 ; 虛 川江 ), the Tongro ( 독로 강 ; 禿 魯江 ) and the Ai ( 瑷 河 ) rivers from Korea and the Hun from China. The river is not easily navigable for most of its length. Most of the river freezes during winter and can be crossed on foot. The depth of the Yalu River varies from some of the more shallow parts on the eastern side in Hyesan ( 1 m ) to the deeper parts of the river near the Yellow Sea ( 2.5 m ). The estuary is the site of the Amrok River estuary Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International. About 205 islands are on the Yalu. A 1962 border treaty between North Korea and China split the islands according to which ethnic group was living on each island. North Korea possesses 127 and China 78. Due to the division criteria, some islands such as Hwanggumpyong Island belong to North Korea, but abut the Chinese side of the river. North Korean village in the Yalu River delta History Remains of bridge between Dandong and Sinuiju destroyed during the Korean War The river basin is the site where the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo ( Hangul : 고구려 ) rose to power. Many former fortresses are located along the river and the former capital of that kingdom was situated at what is now the medium - sized city of Ji'an, Jilin along the Yalu, a site rich in Goguryeo era relics. Wihwa Island on the river is historically famous as the place where in 1388, General Yi Songgye ( later Taejo of Joseon ) decided to turn back his army southward to Kaesong in the first of a series of revolts that eventually led to the establishment of the House of Yi. The river has been the site of several battles because of its strategic location between Korea and China, including : Battle of the Yalu River ( 1894 ) -- First Sino - Japanese War Battle of Yalu River ( 1904 ) -- Russo - Japanese War Battle near to the Yalu River ( 1950 ) -- Korean War The Korean side of the river was heavily industrialized during the period of Japanese rule ( 1910 -- 1945 ), and by 1945 almost 20 % of Imperial Japan 's total industrial output originated in Korea. During the Korean War, the movement of United Nations troops approaching the river precipitated massive Chinese intervention from around Dandong. In the course of the conflict every bridge across the river except one was destroyed. The one remaining bridge was the Sino -- Korean Friendship Bridge connecting Sinuiju, North Korea to Dandong, China. During the war the valley surrounding the western end of the river also became the focal point of a series of dogfights for air superiority over North Korea, earning the nickname `` MiG Alley '' in reference to the MiG - 15 fighters flown by the combined North Korean, Chinese and Soviet forces. It was the advance of UN forces during the Korean War toward the Yalu which allowed Chairman Mao Zedong to convince his people that China needed to intervene over fears of an American invasion, since toppling communism was one of America 's stated goals and Douglas MacArthur had expressed his desire to expand the war into China. The river has frequently been crossed by North Koreans fleeing to China since the early 1990s, although the Tumen River is the most used way. The Sino - Korean Friendship Bridge across the Yalu ( Amnokgang ) at Sinuiju and Dandong Economy The river is important for hydroelectric power, and one of the largest hydroelectric dams in Asia is in Sup'ung Dam, 106 m high and over 850 m long, located upstream from Sinuiju, North Korea. The dam has created an artificial lake over a portion of the river, called Sapung Lake. In addition the river is used for transportation, particularly of lumber from its forested banks. The river provides fish for the local population. Downstream of Sup'ung is the Taipingwan Dam. Upstream of Sup'ung is the Yunfeng Dam. Both dams produce hydroelectric power, as well. In the river delta upstream from Dandong and adjacent to Hushan are several North Korean villages. Economic conditions in these villages have been described as poor, without access to electricity. Crossings Sino - Korean Friendship Bridge, Dandong, China -- Sinŭiju, North Korea Ji'an Yalu River Border Railway Bridge, Ji'an China -- Manp'o, North Korea New Yalu River Bridge, under construction between Dandong, China and Sinŭiju, North Korea See also China -- North Korea border Geography of China Geography of North Korea List of China - related topics List of Korea - related topics List of rivers of Asia References Jump up ^ Entire paragraph taken from Earth Snapshot Website. ( March 25, 2011 ). Sediments in Korea Bay and Incheon Bay, North and South Korea. Retrieved from http://www.eosnap.com/tag/yalu-river/ Jump up ^ `` A trip to the North Korea - China border, in photos ''. NK News. 29 May 2015. Jump up ^ Encyclopædia Britannica. ( December 5, 2011 ). Yalu River. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/651445/Yalu-River Jump up ^ `` Amrok River estuary ''. Important Bird Areas factsheet. BirdLife International. 2013. Retrieved 2013 - 04 - 25. Jump up ^ Jeong Woo - sang ( 10 June 2011 ). `` What Is Hwanggumpyong Island ? ''. Digital Chosun. Retrieved 1 March 2012. Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyqUw0WYwoc Jump up ^ `` We took a boatride on the Yalu River across the Sino - Korean Border. Here 's what we saw ''. visitthedprk.org. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Yalu River. Encyclopædia Britannica `` Ya - lu - kiang ''. New International Encyclopedia. 1905. Jilin topics Changchun ( capital ) General History Politics Economy Geography Cities Changbai Mountains Yalu River Tumen River Liao River Songhua River Nen River Education Jilin University Northeast Normal University Jilin Normal University Culture Music Visitor attractions Gungnae City Tomb of the General Paektu Mountain Heaven Lake Ancient Tombs at Longtou Mountain Mausoleum of Princess Jeonghyo Commons Major rivers of China Seven Great Rivers of Eastern China Yangtze Yellow Pearl Heilongjiang Huai Hai Liao Yangtze system Yalong Min Dadu Qingyi ( Sichuan ) Tuo Jialing Bailong Fu ( Sichuan ) Qu Wu Hanshui Muma Chi Du Bao Qing Chishui Xiang Xiao Lei Mi Zi Yuan Lishui Miluo Gan Fu ( Jiangxi ) Xin Qingyi ( Anhui ) Qinhuai Xitiao Huangpu Suzhou Creek Yellow system Daxia Tao Qingshui Wuding Fen Wei Jing Luo ( Henan ) Luo ( Shaanxi ) Qin Xiaoqing Pearl system North East Han ( Guangdong ) Mei Ting West Yujiang Yong Xun Qian Hongshui Nanpan Beipan Rong Li ( Guangxi ) Gui Liu Heilongjiang system Songhua 2nd Songhua Nen Mudan Ussuri Argun Kherlen Woken Huifa Huai system Guo Ying Shiguan Quan Hui Hong Hai system Chaobai Yongding Hutuo Ziya Daqing Wenyu Juma Sanggan Fuyang Wei Ju Jiyunhe Liao system Hun Taizi Xar Moron Xinkai Western Liao Eastern Liao Other major rivers Tarim Black Karatash Ili Shule Tumen Yalu Luan Red Minjiang Longjiang Lancang Beilun Nujiang Lion Spring Elephant Spring Yarlung Tsangpo Nyang Subansiri Irtysh Suifen Qiantang Puyang Jiao ( Shandong ) Dai Si Shu Cao'e Jiao ( Zhejiang ) Ou Mulan Jin ( Fujian ) Nandu Wanquan Taping Major canals Grand Canal Lingqu North Jiangsu Main Irrigation Canal NARA : 10038559 NDL : 01053874 VIAF : 253059281 Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yalu_River&oldid=849012253 '' Categories : Rivers of Jilin Rivers of North Korea International rivers of Asia China -- North Korea border Dandong Border rivers Yalu River Rivers of Liaoning Hidden categories : Articles containing Chinese - language text Articles containing Manchu - language text Articles containing Korean - language text Coordinates on Wikidata Geobox usage tracking for river type All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from October 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from December 2011 Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the New International Encyclopedia Wikipedia articles with NARA identifiers Wikipedia articles with NDL identifiers Wikipedia articles with VIAF identifiers Talk Contents About Wikipedia تۆرکجه Bân - lâm - gú Беларуская Български Català Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Gaeilge Galego 한국어 Հայերեն हिन्दी Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Latviešu Lietuvių Magyar Македонски Монгол Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Occitan ਪੰਜਾਬੀ پنجابی ភាសា ខ្មែរ Plattdüütsch Polski Português Română Русский Scots Slovenčina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Tagalog ไทย Тоҷикӣ Türkçe Українська اردو Tiếng Việt 文言 吴语 粵語 中文 49 more Edit links This page was last edited on 5 July 2018, at 21 : 56 ( UTC ). 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Question: when did un troops approach the yalu river
Answer: During the Korean War