China-Laos Railway passenger traffic soars after record cross-border growth

Staff members work at the Luang Prabang Station of the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang, Laos, Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

The China-Laos Railway has handled over 70 million passenger trips since it began operations on Dec. 3, 2021, according to data released by China Railway Kunming Group Co. on Tuesday.

The landmark project, a flagship of China-Laos cooperation, links a string of renowned tourism destinations including Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, with over 560 scenic spots, forming a key corridor for cross-border travel.

In response to surging demand, railway authorities from both countries have stepped up coordination to optimize services. The average daily number of passenger trains on the Chinese section has risen from eight in the early days of operation to up to 86, while on the Lao section, the figure has increased from four to a peak of 18.

So far, more than 780,000 tourists from more than 120 countries and regions worldwide have traveled across the border via the China-Laos Railway, said the railway authority.

Stretching 1,035 kilometers from Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province to the Lao capital of Vientiane, the China-Laos Railway commenced operations on Dec. 3, 2021. To meet the growing demand for cross-border travel, international passenger train services between Kunming and Vientiane were introduced on April 13, 2023.