Pyongyang-Dandoong Bus Opened for Service

The North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on June 21 that a regular international passenger bus running between Pyongyang, North Korea and Dandoong, China has started its first service.

According to the KCNA, the very first bus bound for Dandoong left from the Joonggu station in Pyongyang, in front of the Chang Gwangsan Hotel, at 8 a.m. on June 21, and that a round trip bus service between Pyongyang and Dandoong will commence on June 22. The bus runs daily excluding Saturdays and Sundays, and will be jointly operated by the joint company of Chosun Echo Transportation of Pyongyang and Dandoong’s Chinese International Travel Agency. The running time between the 250 km distance from Pyongyang to Dandoong will be five to six hours. Until now, passengers traveling from Pyongyang and Dandoong have used the international train, which has 1-2 cars attached behind regular passenger trains; however, due to frequent power failure, it was not unusual for the travel to take more than a day. This achievement is noteworthy as North Korea’s newly-established bus service to Dandoong is a reflection that trade and tourism exchange with China has become more active.

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