CHANGCHUN - Companies from China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea inaugurated a new tourist route on Friday to boost economic and tourism exchanges between the two countries.

The route from Yanji, located in the Korean autonomous prefecture of Yanbian in Northeast China's Jilin Province, to Rason, DPRK, has been put into trial operation, according to the Yanji Tourism Administration.

"The new international route will turn a new page in trade and tourism cooperation between the two countries," said Wang Yanbo, deputy director of the administration.

The route is jointly operated by two Chinese and two DPRK companies.

Two coaches are currently being used to ferry travellers between the two cities on a daily basis from each end, and 22 more will be added during tourism peak seasons, according to Wang.

China launched its first charter flight from Jilin to DPRK in July this year and the flight has been operating on a regular basis since August, based on the growing number of tourists interested in sightseeing in DPRK.

"International tourism between China and DPRK has boomed in recent years, especially in Jilin," said Zhang Wei, deputy director of Jilin Provincial Tourism Administration.