Cross-border passenger trips on the China-Laos Railway exceed 800,000 in three years

Since its launch on April 13, 2023, the China-Laos Railway international passenger train has become the top choice for cross-border travelers thanks to its safe, efficient, and convenient operation. By its third anniversary on April 12, the service had operated more than 3,190 trains and carried over 800,000 passengers from over 120 countries and regions. Because of its reliable operations, it has injected strong momentum into people-to-people exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, and cultural ties between China and Laos. 

Currently, four international passenger trains operate daily between Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, and the Lao capital Vientiane, with cross-border capacity expanding from 250 seats per train when it was first launched to 420 seats today. The travel time between Kunming South and Vientiane stations has been shortened to 9 hours and 36 minutes, while customs clearance at the Mohan railway port now takes approximately 50 minutes, making traveling significantly more convenient for travelers engaged in cross-border tourism, education, and business. During the first quarter of this year, the service carried 112,000 cross-border passengers, a year-on-year increase of 32.4 percent, with the average daily cross-border traffic tripling compared to 2023 levels. 

The China-Laos Railway international passenger train connects major tourist destinations including Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane, enabling travelers to depart in the morning and arrive at their destination in the evening of the same day. This has greatly promoted the exploration of cultural heritage sites and natural attractions located along the route by international visitors. Railway and tourism authorities from both countries have deepened collaboration, leveraging visa-free transit policies to introduce diverse cross-border tour routes and travel products tailored to varying passenger needs. 

Over the past three years, more than 800,000 cross-border tourists have driven consumption growth exceeding 35 percent in scenic spots, hotels, catering, and other related industries along the line. As a result, this has created a distinctive cross-border tourism economic circle. Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture has witnessed notable tourism growth: in 2025, it received 674,100 overseas tourists, generating US $441 million in tourism earnings, both marking year-on-year increases of over 110 percent. Meanwhile, visa-free entries by foreign nationals at the Mohan railway port surged by 48 percent in 2025.  

Rising tourist numbers in Lao cities including Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng also further underscore the China-Laos Railway's pivotal role in stimulating regional economies.