Friendship Pass

Youyiguan border station links China and Vietnam through a mountain section in Guangxi, featuring checkpoint facilities, administrative buildings, and a multi-lane crossing road for vehicles and pedestrians. A monumental gate structure marks the Chinese side, flanked by watchtowers and walls that give the site a historical appearance.

The gateway received its current name in 1953, previously known as Zhennan Guan, reflecting the shift in political relations between China and North Vietnam. The Franco-Qing Convention of 1887 moved the actual border south of the passage, placing it entirely on Chinese territory.

The name Youyi Guan, literally Friendship Gate, appears on the archway and signs along the road, while Vietnamese visitors often use the designation Nam Quan. These parallel names show how the gate has served as a symbol of neighborly ties between the two countries for decades.

Travelers should have valid travel documents and any required visas ready before arrival, as procedures at the border involve multiple control stages. Crossing takes place mainly during daytime, and waiting times vary depending on traffic volume and season.

Though the name suggests a shared border, the entire complex has stood on Chinese soil since the boundary shift of 1887, several kilometers north of the actual demarcation line. This arrangement means travelers must continue a distance after passing through the gate before reaching Vietnamese territory.