China and North Korea to restart passenger train services between Beijing, Dandong and Pyongyang after six-year suspension
The Facts
- Passenger train services between China and North Korea are scheduled to resume on March 12, 2026, after being suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- China’s railway authority said the Beijing–Pyongyang passenger train service will operate four times per week.
- China’s railway authority said the Dandong–Pyongyang passenger train service will run daily.
- Tickets for the first Beijing-to-Pyongyang passenger train in six years were reported sold out ahead of the March 12 departure.
- Reporting indicates the initial Beijing–Pyongyang service is not open to general tourism, with eligibility tied to specific visa categories (including business visas).
- The resumption restores a transport connection between North Korea and China, which is widely described as North Korea’s main economic ally/partner.
Context
Which routes are restarting, and how often will they run?
China Railway said trains between Beijing and Pyongyang will operate four times a week, and the service between Dandong (a Chinese border city) and Pyongyang will run daily. BBC Reuters
Why were these passenger train services halted for six years?
Multiple reports say the passenger services were suspended in 2020 as China and North Korea imposed strict border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Guardian Hindu Reuters
Can tourists take the train right away?
Reports indicate tourists are not yet eligible for tickets and that early travel is limited to certain visa holders (including business visas). NDTV Reuters Deutsche Welle
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