China and North Korea to resume direct Beijing–Pyongyang rail link

Wednesday 11 March 2026 - 14:15

China and North Korea are preparing to restore a direct railway connection linking their capitals, Beijing and Pyongyang, after a suspension that lasted several years. The reopening of the route signals renewed engagement between the two neighboring countries and could help revive travel and economic exchanges.

According to information released by China’s national railway operator, passenger services between the two cities are scheduled to restart this week. The train journey, which takes nearly 24 hours, had been halted in 2020 when North Korea sealed its borders at the height of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Railway authorities indicated that the service will operate several times a week in both directions. The route is expected to serve both local passengers and international visitors, with designated carriages for foreign travelers. Officials believe the rail link could play a role in strengthening cross-border mobility and facilitating tourism and cultural interaction.

Before the pandemic disrupted travel, visitors from China represented the largest group of foreign tourists traveling to North Korea. Economic ties between the two countries are also significant, as China remains one of Pyongyang’s main trading partners.

Despite these exchanges, North Korea continues to face international sanctions imposed by the United Nations over its nuclear weapons program and concerns related to human rights.

Observers say the resumption of the rail service may reflect a gradual normalization of regional travel and a willingness by both governments to expand cooperation in transport and commerce.