Trending Now - China and North Korea Resume Passenger Train Service Post-pandemic

WHO:

China’s railways authority

North Korea

WHAT:

China has reopened passenger train service to North Korea.

Trains will run between Beijing and Pyongyang four times a week starting on March 12th, 2026.

Daily train service will also resume from Dandong, China to Pyongyang.

Tickets for the first train departing on March 12th, 2026 have reportedly sold out.

WHERE:

Beijing, China

Pyongyang, North Korea

Dandong, China

WHEN:

Resumption of service announced on March 10th, 2026.

Service will start on March 12th, 2026.

WHY:

The resumption aims to “further promote people-to-people exchanges, economic and trade cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and North Korea.”

Tourism from China into North Korea has stalled since the pandemic, with North Korea having banned all foreign tourists during COVID.

HOW:

Tickets for the trains will only be available offline in China.

(UPDATED March 11, 2026 11:13 UTC)

China's railway authority has announced the reopening of passenger train service to North Korea, with trains set to run between Beijing and Pyongyang four times a week starting tomorrow, March 12, 2026. Daily service will also resume from Dandong, China to Pyongyang, and tickets for the first train have reportedly sold out. This move aims to enhance people-to-people exchanges and boost economic and cultural cooperation between the two countries, following a long period of stalled tourism due to the pandemic.