China-Laos Railway handles over 800,000 cross-border passenger trips

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 by Yang Zixuan/Xinhua)

KUNMING, April 12 (Xinhua) -- The China-Laos Railway international passenger service has handled more than 800,000 cross-border passenger trips since its launch three years ago, China Railway Kunming Group has said.

By Sunday, the service had operated over 3,190 trips, transporting travelers from more than 120 countries and regions.

Connecting popular destinations such as Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane, the railway links over 560 tourist attractions along its route, making it a "golden route" for cross-border travel. Since its inauguration on April 13, 2023, the service has quickly become a top choice for travelers between China and Laos.

Currently, four international passenger trains run daily between Kunming and Vientiane. Each train offers 420 cross-border seats, with a travel time of approximately 9 hours and 36 minutes from Kunming South Railway Station to Vientiane.