Original Source
China Resumes Passenger Train Service to North Korea, Halted in 2020
Beijing-Pyongyang Train Service Resumes After Four Years
China resumed passenger train services from Beijing to Pyongyang on March 12, 2026. This railway route had been suspended since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The K27 train takes approximately 24 hours to travel from Beijing, through the border city of Dandong, to Pyongyang. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the resumption of the train service is an important signal of improving relations between the two countries and holds significant meaning for promoting people-to-people exchanges.
Limited Passengers and Economic Expectations
Currently, tickets for this train are restricted to business visa holders, primarily accessible to entrepreneurs, government officials, and journalists. North Korea remains closed to most foreign tourists, with only a small number of strictly controlled tours permitted. Nevertheless, residents in China's border region of Dandong have reacted positively to the resumption of the railway service. One citizen expressed hopes that improved bilateral relations would help revitalize the tourism industry and enhance the living standards of people in both countries.
*Source: YouTube: SCMP (2026-03-12)*
