Friendship Pass–historical border pass between China and Vietnam
Last Update: 5th October 2020
What is the Friendship Pass?
Friendship Pass has witnessed the spirit of the Chinese nation resisting the invaders from the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) to the 1930s.
It is considered to be one of the top 9 famous passes in China. Since the founding of New China, Friendship Pass has been a significant pass for the political, economical and cultural communication between Vietnam and China
Friendship Pass Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Youyiguan (友谊关)
- Height: 22 meters tall
- Things to do there: History Study, Photography, Border Crossing
- Who visits: History Lovers, Photographers and Travellers to/from China
- Time required: 1.5 – 2 x Hours
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Friendship Pass, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at the Friendship Pass?
Originally built in the Han Dynasty (202 BC – 220 AD ), the Friendship Pass is located approximately 210 kilometers from Nanning and 18 kilometers southwest from Pingxiang City. With a precipitous terrain, it is situated at the passage of a valley. Two high mountains guard it on either side of the pass.
On the left is Zuobi Mountain City Wall and the right, Youfu Mountain City Wall. It takes 10 minutes to climb up to the top of one of the two mountains where visitors can explore the ancient batteries and take another 40 minutes to climb up to the top of the other one where visitors can overlook the scenery on China-Vietnam border.
There are 2 floors of cloisters surrounded by large arched windows. The windowsills of the cloisters are decorated with various patterns.
Besides, visitors can also walk the ancient trail to the two mountains and explore the Ten-thousand Tombs of the Qing Dynasty (大清国万人坟).
*Please note, the rules for visiting Friendship Pass change whereby foreign visitors might not be permitted to climb the mountains overseeing the Friendship Crossing*
Visitors can visit Friendship Pass around the year as there is no winter there due to its climatic characteristics. Summer and autumn visit Friendship Pass in turn around the year. With the average temperature from 25.7 degree to 27.7 degree, July is the hottest month at Friendship Pass. It rains most from June to August. Visitors can explore the pass based on its climate and specific weather.
As more and more tourists visit Friendship Pass, its transportation is well developed. There are a few options:
- Rent a vehicle departing from either Nanning or Pingxiang. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- If you depart from Nanning, take a direct bus (route: 琅东客运站 – 友谊关) from Langdong Bus Station (琅东客运站) to Friendship Pass. As at 9th November 2019, there are 4 direct buses to the pass from Nanning.
- There is no direct bus from Pingxiang to Friendship Pass. If you depart from Pingxiang, it is suggested that you charter a car to the pass
- Because Friendship Pass is located on China-Vietnam border, there are some military facilities there. Please remember not to take photos of the facilities and soldiers.
- Please bring your passports or other papers with you in case that the military asks you to present them.
- The temporary pass is not allowed to apply for at the pass.
- As at 5th October 2020, entrance pricing is 42 CNY per adult; children under 1.2m tall (1.2m not included) and the elder above 70 years old (70 years old included) are free of charge; entrance pricing for children between 6 years old (6 years old included) and 18 years old (18 years old not included) and the elder between 60 years old (60 years old included) and 70 years old (70 years old not included) is 21 CNY per person. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com).
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Friendship Pass, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.