The early morning scene at Kunming South Station is becoming increasingly familiar: a D87 bullet train, packed with passengers, departs the platform, bound for Vientiane, Laos. Inside the carriages, travelers from across China capture photos, browse guidebooks, and share smiles—a daily occurrence on the China-Laos Railway.
As passengers often remark, the journey makes it possible to enjoy a bowl of Kunming's famous Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles for breakfast and savor Laotian rice noodles for dinner in Vientiane. With its hallmark efficiency and convenience, the railway has transformed international travel into something akin to a daily commute, making it a top choice for cross-border travel between the two nations.
Stretching 1,035 kilometers from Kunming, China, to Vientiane, Laos, the railway commenced operations in December 2021. Since April 2023, with trains running in both directions, it has provided immense convenience for cross-border travel and tourism. Currently, four international passenger trains operate daily between Kunming South and Vientiane, with the fastest journey taking just 9 hours and 36 minutes, including approximately 50 minutes for customs clearance at the Mohan Railway Port. "Departing in the morning and arriving by evening" has become the norm for cross-border trips.
Data reveals that the railway has operated over 100,000 passenger services to date, transporting more than 73 million passengers. Among these, cross-border travelers have exceeded 840,000.
The international service is not only popular with Chinese tourists but also attracts a significant number of foreign visitors. In the first four months of this year, travelers from Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar ranked as the top three international visitor groups in the region, with purposes ranging from tourism and sightseeing to business meetings and visiting relatives.
For 32-year-old Laotian resident Sourinda, the launch of the cross-border train service has turned international travel from a luxury into a regular part of life. Before the railway, travel to China was inconvenient, relying on bus services. Now, she travels to destinations like Jinghong, China, every month or two via the railway. She has also noticed a growing number of Laotians traveling to China, occasionally even encountering friends and relatives on the train.
The railway connects a wealth of tourist destinations in Yunnan, including Kunming, Yuxi, Pu'er, and Xishuangbanna, with Laotian hotspots like Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane. It provides access to approximately 560 scenic spots, including multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, showcasing a rich tapestry of cultural and natural attractions. The combination of streamlined customs procedures and the comfort and speed of rail travel has fostered a new trend in cross-border tourism.
During a recent holiday period, the Mohan Railway Port processed over 5,200 inbound and outbound travelers, with foreign tourists constituting a major portion of cross-border visitors. "The easy ticketing, efficient border process, and pristine natural scenery along the route make the entire international journey full of pleasant surprises," remarked a British traveler named Lena.
In recent years, tourism products related to the China-Laos Railway international passenger service have been continuously upgraded to enhance the travel experience. Special tourist trains, such as the "Starlight Lancang-Mekong," "Traveling Yunnan by Train," and "Xiangwang" services, have been introduced. In May, the inaugural "Colorful Yunnan · Kunming" cross-border tourist train launched, featuring an all-sleeper configuration designed to provide an immersive "direct-sleeper, cross-border travel" experience.
Beyond being a convenient travel corridor, the China-Laos Railway serves as a dynamic economic artery. Over the more than three years since the international passenger service began, it has spurred consumption growth exceeding 35% in tourism-related industries along its route, including scenic spots, hotels, and restaurants, effectively invigorating regional economies.
Today, the China-Laos Railway continues to expand and empower, with increasingly robust transport capacity, continuously optimized customs services, and ever-improving travel experiences. It ensures that the benefits of enhanced connectivity continue to reach households and communities across both nations.
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