China's first North Korea-bound passenger train to depart from Beijing today

The first passenger train service between China and North Korea after a six-year hiatus is scheduled to set off ​from Beijing on Thursday, part of a series of ‌moves by China to shore up cross-border infrastructure and rebuild bilateral ties.

Following a 24-hour and 41-minute journey skirting north of the Bohai Sea ​and a stopover in China’s northeastern border city of Dandong, train ​K27 from Beijing is scheduled to arrive in Pyongyang ⁠at 6:07 p.m. (0907 GMT) on Friday, according to a Tuesday notice ​from China’s railway authority.

China and North Korea are “friendly neighbours” and a ​cross-border passenger train service facilitates people-to-people exchanges between the two, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters on Wednesday.

More from World

8 Islamic nations slam Israel for continued closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan Iran's leadership largely intact, not at risk of complete collapse 'any time soon', says US intelligence

China also supports the strengthening of communication between authorities ​on both sides to create more convenient conditions for bilateral personnel ​exchanges, the spokesperson added.

The train service was suspended when the COVID-19 pandemic broke ‌out ⁠in 2020.

RESTRICTED TICKETS

The Beijing-Pyongyang route will operate four days a week, in both directions, on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, according to a notice by China’s railway authority. The Dandong-Pyongyang route will ​operate daily in ​both directions.

The tickets, ⁠restricted to business visa holders, were sold out for Thursday’s trip, but those for March 18 were ​still available, a Beijing travel agency said.

State-run news ​agency Xinhua ⁠said on Tuesday that the route aimed to facilitate cross-border travel, economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges.

North Korea is largely closed ⁠to ​foreign tourism, with limited exceptions largely for ​Russian tour groups under restricted arrangements, according to travel agencies organising trips to the ​country.

Quick Reads

View All

Iran warns world to brace for $200 oil as Gulf war rattles energy markets

Iran sets three conditions to end war with US and Israel, demands rights recognition and reparations