The long-suspended cross-border passenger rail service between Russia and China has officially resumed, marking a significant step in restoring people-to-people and economic connectivity between the two neighboring countries.
On Sunday, March 8, 2026, the first international passenger train in nearly six years crossed the border in Russia’s Trans-Baikal region, departing from Zabaykalsk station on the Russian side and heading to Manzhouli in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Trans-Baikal region Governor Aleksandr Osipov participated in a ceremonial event to mark the reopening, as announced in a statement from the regional office of Russian Railways (RZD). The ceremony was attended by senior officials from both the Trans-Baikal Railway and the Trans-Baikal District, who welcomed the inaugural passengers on the restored route.
“Today, March 8, after nearly a six-year break, international train No. 354/353 on the Zabaykalsk – Manzhouli route departed from Zabaykalsk station. The first passengers of the cross-border service were welcomed by the heads of the Trans-Baikal Railway and the Trans-Baikal District,” the Russian Railways statement read.
The service, designated as train No. 354/353, will now operate on a year-round schedule with two weekly departures: Wednesdays and Sundays from both Zabaykalsk (Russia) and Manzhouli (China). The route connects the Russian border town of Zabaykalsk directly with Manzhouli, a major Chinese border city and key logistics hub for trade between the two nations.
The passenger link was originally suspended in February 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when both countries imposed strict border controls, travel restrictions, and quarantine measures to curb the spread of the virus. The hiatus lasted more than six years, during which time freight rail traffic between Russia and China continued to grow significantly, but passenger services remained offline.
The resumption comes at a time of deepening strategic and economic ties between Moscow and Beijing, particularly in the context of Russia’s pivot toward Asia amid Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict. The rail corridor forms part of broader efforts to enhance connectivity along the Eurasian land bridge, supporting tourism, family visits, business travel, and cultural exchanges.
The Zabaykalsk-Manzhouli crossing is one of the most important land border points between Russia and China, facilitating both passenger and substantial freight traffic. Its reopening is expected to ease travel for residents in Russia’s Far East and China’s northeastern provinces, while also signaling confidence in cross-border public health management and bilateral relations.
Local authorities and railway officials expressed optimism that the restored service would boost regional economies, particularly in the Trans-Baikal region, where cross-border trade and tourism play important roles. Passengers on the inaugural run included a mix of Russian and Chinese citizens, with some reportedly traveling for family reunions, business, or leisure after years of separation due to the pandemic-era restrictions.
The return of regular passenger trains is seen as a practical manifestation of the “no-limits” partnership declared by Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in recent years, even as global geopolitical tensions remain high elsewhere. Russian Railways has indicated that the service will run with standard safety protocols, including health checks and documentation requirements in line with current bilateral agreements.
As the twice-weekly trains begin regular operations, the route is poised to become a vital artery for human mobility along one of the world’s longest land borders, helping to normalize travel and strengthen grassroots ties between the two major powers.
