North Korean leader Kim Jong-il is reportedly planning on visiting Shanghai ahead of traveling to Beijing.

According to a diplomatic source in Shanghai Wednesday, Kim is scheduled to arrive at the Chinese port city around noon on Wednesday aboard his private train before heading to the capital city around Friday.

The source said Kim’s visit to Shanghai apparently is aimed at demonstrating to top Chinese leaders Pyongyang’s deep interest in the progress China has made in economic development.

The reclusive leader was confirmed to have arrived at Dandong train station in China's Liaoning province amid heavy security earlier on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted an unnamed source as saying that Kim headed toward Russia by passing through China on Wednesday, adding that he had met no Chinese leaders along the way.

Kim's trip comes just a few months after Chinese President Hu Jintao visited Pyongyang last October.