China starts 2nd rail travel service to N. Korea

BEIJING, April 14 (Yonhap) -- China has launched the second train service to North Korea, state media reported Monday, a move expected to boost travel between the two nations.

The Sunday opening of regular rail services from China's northeastern city of Jian to the North Korean capital of Pyongyang makes Jian the second city offering such service after another Chinese border city of Dandong, Xinhua news agency reported.

North Korea is one of the world's most secretive and isolated nations, but Pyongyang has stepped up efforts to attract foreign tourists since last year by offering more international and domestic flights.

In Jian, Chinese tourists can apply for a one-day round trip, which is available once every four days, to North Korea for US$480 per person, the report said.

Zang Wanghong, director of the Jian Tourist Board, said the tour agency will begin selling the tour package to the North's western port city of Manpo before May 1, according to the report.

kdh@yna.co.kr

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