Russia, China to Resume Passenger Rail Service After Six-Year Hiatus

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Starting in March 2026, train services between Russia and China will resume, according to a press release from Russian Railways (RZD).

Direct carriages to Manchuria (a city in northeastern China) will depart from Irkutsk and Chita stations on March 6 and March 7, respectively, as part of the Irkutsk-Zabaykalsk train. The international passenger train service between Zabaykalsk (a Russian border town) and Manchuria will restart on March 8.

Trains will run in both directions twice a week, with a journey time of approximately 25 minutes.

This resumption marks the end of a six-year hiatus in passenger rail service. In 2020, the Zabaykalsk-Manchuria border crossing was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Note: As of September 15, 2025, China has introduced a visa-free regime for Russian citizens.