After nearly six years of suspension, passenger train services between China and North Korea are finally resuming. Railway authorities confirmed that the historic rail connection will restart operations this week, marking an important step toward restoring cross border travel and regional connectivity between the two neighboring countries.
The railway link was originally suspended in 2020 during the global Covid 19 pandemic, when North Korea imposed extremely strict border closures to prevent the virus from entering the country. Since then, travel between the two nations has remained limited, affecting workers, students, and families who depend on the route for mobility.
According to official announcements from China Railway, the first train will depart from Beijing on Thursday evening and head toward Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea. The train, identified as K27, will make several stops along the journey. One of the key stops will be the major port city of Tianjin before the train continues northeast toward Dandong, a Chinese border city located near North Korea.
Once the train reaches Dandong, passenger wagons heading to Pyongyang will be connected to another train that crosses the border. Travelers will enter Sinuiju, a North Korean city located just across the Yalu River. From there, the passenger cars will be attached to a domestic North Korean train that will continue the journey toward Pyongyang, where it is expected to arrive on Friday evening.
Travel agencies that specialize in North Korea tourism say the reopening of this rail route is a significant development. The connection allows travelers with valid visas to purchase tickets again, including Chinese citizens working or studying in North Korea, as well as North Korean citizens traveling for family visits, education, or employment abroad.
Authorities also confirmed that trains will run in both directions between Beijing and Pyongyang several times per week. Border control procedures will take place at the Dandong crossing in China and at Sinuiju in North Korea.
The reopening of this railway route highlights the importance of China as North Korea’s largest trading partner and a key source of economic, diplomatic, and political support.
