China announces resumption of passenger trains to North Korea after COVID

BEIJING — China announced on Tuesday the resumption of passenger trains to North Korea, following a halt in service due to COVID-19.

Starting Thursday, trains will operate four times a week between Beijing and Pyongyang. Additionally, daily train service will resume at the border town of Dandong in China, connecting to Pyongyang, as stated by China’s railways authority.

The announcement mentioned that the reinstatement of the service aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges, economic cooperation, trade activities, and cultural interactions between China and North Korea.

Since the onset of the pandemic, tourism from China to North Korea has been at a standstill. While North Korea initially prohibited all foreign tourists during the pandemic, it has gradually lifted these restrictions, allowing tourism to resume in 2024. However, the country has only permitted Russian tourists to enter, despite Chinese tour groups comprising 90% of all visitors prior to the ban. This decision has surprised many, considering China is North Korea’s largest trading partner and a key ally.

According to the announcement, tickets for the trains will only be available offline in China at the moment.