How to Book Train Travel From North Korea to China

Traveling by train from Pyongyang, North Korea, to Beijing, China, gives passengers a rare glimpse into North Korean village life. Follow these steps to plan your trip and absorb the culture.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Visa
• Valid passport

Book Your Train Travel From North Korea to China

1. Book your train ticket with China Rail Travel Limited. Call 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Be aware that there are two travel classes on the train, soft sleeper and hard sleeper. Foreigners are not allowed to use the hard-sleeper class on the way out of North Korea. For more information, discuss this with the travel agent who books your ticket.

3. Choose a travel company specializing in tours to North Korea. The company will make the travel arrangements on your behalf. They can book and purchase your ticket.

Prepare for Your Journey to China

4. Contact the Embassy of China to acquire a visa for travel into China, as the visa requirements vary. You need different types of visas for Hong Kong and Macau. In general, tourist visas are valid for 30 days. There is an embassy in Pyongyang.

5. Ask your travel company for assistance if you must apply for a visa before leaving North Korea.

Take the Train From Pyongyang, North Korea, to Beijing, China

6. Plan to take the train from Pyongyang, North Korea, at 10 a.m. on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday.

7. Prepare to spend 24 hours on board. The train arrives in Beijing, China, at about 9 a.m. the following day.

8. Expect a 2-hour delay in the border town of Sinuiju. This is where rail workers uncouple the Korean engine and local carriages from the international section of the train. In addition, customs officials will check the documents and luggage of passengers.

9. Watch and enjoy as a steam locomotive pulls the train across the Yalu River.

10. Expect another 2-hour delay after crossing the border, in the Chinese village of Dandong.

Tips & Warnings

• 011 is the dialing prefix used for telephoning abroad from the United States. If you're calling from another country, check which international dialing prefix to use. All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• It is unlawful to take unprocessed animal products out of North Korea.
• U.S. citizens and South Koreans are not allowed into North Korea. Officials will turn away any visa applicant who holds a passport with an American stamp in it.
• Tourists can visit North Korea only as part of a tour group. Tour guides closely monitor their groups and must accompany them everywhere. Tourists cannot take pictures freely but must obtain permission from their tour guides.
• Tour guides are responsible for the behavior of tourists. If tourists do not behave respectfully, the tour guides will suffer the consequences.

[xiaoxue]

on 10/28/2007 The restrictions on US citizens visiting DPRK have now been slightly relaxed. It may be possible to visit on a special event such as the Arirang Mass Games held every year. Check with the embassy. South Korean and Israeli passport holders will not get a visa. Dandong is a city, not a village.