China–North Korea Passenger Trains Restart After Six-Year Pandemic Halt
Passenger train services between China and North Korea will resume this week, restoring an important transport link that had been suspended for six years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The railway connection, once a key travel route between the two countries, will restart on Thursday, according to China’s state railway operator.
Two routes will be reopened as part of the initial schedule. Passenger trains between Beijing and Pyongyang will run four times a week, while a daily service will connect the Chinese border city of Dandong with the North Korean capital. Railway officials described the service as an important link that helps strengthen ties and communication between the two nations.
Limited Access for Travelers
Although the train service is reopening, ticket access remains restricted. Travel agents say only passengers with valid visas can currently purchase tickets. This group mainly includes Chinese citizens working or studying in North Korea and North Koreans traveling abroad for work, study, or family visits.
Reports indicate that tickets for the first train from Beijing sold out quickly, with passengers including entrepreneurs, government officials and journalists.
Diplomatic and Tourism Context
The reopening comes as diplomatic communication between the two countries continues. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently sent a message to Chinese President Xi Jinping expressing hope for deeper cooperation between the two nations.
Before the pandemic, Chinese visitors made up the largest share of foreign tourists to North Korea. Since gradually reopening its borders in 2024, Pyongyang has been exploring ways to revive tourism, including launching new projects such as seaside resorts.
