On July 17, 2026, the Russia-China cross-border tourist train connecting Vladivostok and Suifenhe officially entered trial operation. The route links cultural and tourism resources along the “Vladivostok-Suifenhe-Mudanjiang” corridor, offering visitors a one-stop, diversified cross-border cultural and tourism experience.
At 7:09 AM local time, the train carrying the first group of 180 Russian tourists departed from Vladivostok Station. Approximately eight hours later, it arrived at Suifenhe Railway Station in China’s Heilongjiang Province, marking the official launch of this international rail service. The opening ceremony took place at the Suifenhe Railway Station’s international waiting hall.
Before the launch ceremony, 180 Russian tourists had already traveled by the cross-border tourist train from Vladivostok to Suifenhe, embarking on a four-day cross-border journey. One of the Russian travelers, Ms. Lina, expressed her excitement about the trip: “I have always heard that Jingpo Lake is very beautiful. This is my first time taking the tourist train from Vladivostok to Suifenhe”.
The launch of this train adds a new land-based tourism corridor between Heilongjiang Province and Russia’s Primorsky Krai. At Suifenhe Railway Station, local volunteers and the city’s mascot “Nuannuan” greeted the incoming Russian visitors with commemorative coins and city-themed postcards, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
The cross-border tourist train represents a significant step in facilitating people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. By connecting major tourism destinations on both sides of the border, the service is expected to boost regional tourism economies and deepen cultural understanding between Russian and Chinese travelers.
The trial operation comes amid broader efforts to enhance transport connectivity between the two nations. With visa-free arrangements now extended through 2027, the new rail service is well-positioned to capture growing demand for cross-border travel.
