China Launches Tourist Train to N Korea

China has launched a tourist train connecting the country's northeastern Tumen county and the picturesque Chilbo mountain in neighboring North Korea.

The train, carrying 65 Chinese tourists chugged into North Korea on Saturday, April 28, 2012 on its first trip. The tourists will spend the next three days in that country, said Zhao Renjie, deputy director of Tumen Municipal Bureau of Foreign Affairs and Tourism.

Chinese tourists will now be able to visit the Mount Chilbo, the Chongjin city, capital of North Korean province of Hamgyong and the hot spring spas in Kyongsong County.

The train will make one round trip between Tumen in China and Namyang in North Korea every week as part of Beijing's efforts to promote cultural exchanges.