You might be aware of the beautiful new suspension bridge the Chinese built to link North Korea with Dandong (aka the Sino-DPRK Friendship Bridge). For whatever reasons, construction on the North Korean side has stalled for more than 2 years. And this symbol of a North Korea more interested in trade, and a vital link between the country and China, remains stuck in its uncompleted state. We were told that the Chinese has to drive trucks back and forth on the bridge at night to maintain tension in the suspension; otherwise the bridge will waste away.
However, you may not know that the bridge actually lands on the Chinese side right next to a large residential development called “Singapore City”. Built by Singaporean property developers, the development aims to offer a Singaporean living experience, and comes with Merlion replicas all over the estate.
With a (someday completed) Chinese bridge linking North Korea with “Singapore City”, perhaps the land customs we passed through would not be so surprised and hostile the next time Singaporean passport holders come through.
View from Singapore City of the Sino-DPRK Friendship Bridge