Stewardesses interact with passengers aboard train No. D86 from Kunming, capital city of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, to the Lao capital Vientiane, July 18, 2025. --Photo Xinhua

Laos-China Railway’s international passenger service surpasses 800,000 cross-border trips in three years

The Laos-China Railway’s international passenger service marked a significant milestone on April 12, having completed three years of operation and transported more than 800,000 cross-border travelers from over 120 countries and regions.
Since its launch on April 13, 2023, the service has operated over 3,190 international passenger trains, linking key tourist destinations such as Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane while connecting more than 560 scenic spots along the route.
This corridor has emerged as a premier “golden route” for cross-border tourism between China and Laos, boosting consumption by over 35 percent in sectors like tourism, hospitality, and dining, and fostering a unique tourism economic circle.
Currently, four daily international trains run between Kunming and Vientiane, with cross-border seating capacity expanded from 250 to 420 per train. Travel time has been shortened to 9 hours and 36 minutes, and customs clearance at the Mohan railway port now takes about 50 minutes.
In the first quarter of 2026, the service carried 112,000 cross-border passengers, reflecting a 32.4 percent year-on-year increase and tripling the average daily volume compared to 2023.
Railway authorities from both nations have enhanced services, including multilingual announcements in Chinese, Lao, and English, translation devices at stations and trains, and passenger amenities like blood pressure monitors.
“We are committed to the proper operation and maintenance of railway station facilities to provide passengers with the best travel experience,” said the head of maintenance for Laos-China Railways station buildings at China Railway Construction Group Co., Ltd.
The service continues to solidify its position as the preferred option for seamless travel, driving economic growth and tourism in the region.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest UpdateApril 21, 2026)