THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

The border between China and North Korea extends for 850 miles across two rivers, both originating at the dormant volcano known as Mount Paektu to the Koreans and Mount Changbai to the Chinese.  To the south, the Yalu River is the famous line where Chinese troops pushed back U.S. forces during the Korean War.  Much of the official business between China and North Korea today takes place across the Yalu, mostly at its mouth near the Yellow Sea.  Compared with the Yalu, the Tumen is barely more than a piddling stream, shallow with gentle currents.  To the north, it runs a meandering course that delineates the northeastern border of North Korea before spilling out southwest of Vladivostok.  It is narrow enough that even during the rainy season, when the waters are high, a swimmer could easily make it across.

(Demick/Korea)