On April 13, an international passenger train of China Laos Railway from Kunming, China arrived in Vientiane, Laos (UAV photo). Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Xia Ningqin)
Xinhua News Agency, Vientiane, April 13, Newsletter | Facilitating cross-border exchanges and facilitating people to people and cultural exchanges — China Laos railway international passenger train has been running for three years, paving the way for people to share their hearts
Xinhua News Agency reporters Ma Huaizhao and Zhao Xu
On April 13, 2026, the international passenger train of China Laos Railway will celebrate the third anniversary of its opening and operation. This train enables daily travel between Kunming, China and Vientiane, Laos, not only shortening the travel time, but also bringing the hearts of the Chinese and Laotian people closer, paving a path of people to people connectivity and happiness that facilitates cross-border exchanges and promotes cultural exchanges.
On April 13, in Vientiane, Laos, passengers taking the China Laos Railway International Passenger Train arrived at China Laos Railway Vientiane Station. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Kai Qiao)
According to the data of Laos China Railway Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the operation of the Laos section of the China Laos Railway, as of April 12, the international passenger trains of the China Laos Railway have sent 800000 cross-border passengers in total, and the number of cross-border passenger seats of each passenger train has increased from 250 at the initial stage to 420.
It used to be too difficult to study abroad in China, “said Manisha from Oudomxay Province in Laos, recalling her journey of studying in China and feeling quite emotional. Manisha’s home is located in the northern mountainous area of Laos, more than 100 kilometers away from the China Laos border. However, traveling to China “either involves expensive airfare or having to transfer several buses, traveling on winding roads that are bumpy and tiring”.
It’s completely different now. Cross border trains pass through my hometown and I can directly board the train there. It will arrive in China in a few hours, which is time-saving and comfortable, “said Manisa.
On April 13, in Vientiane, Laos, passengers taking the China Laos Railway International Passenger Train arrived at China Laos Railway Vientiane Station. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Kai Qiao)
For 32 year old Laotian resident Sulinda, the opening of cross-border trains has turned cross-border travel from a luxury item into a normal part of life. Before the railway, I had to take a shuttle bus to China, and transportation was very inconvenient, “Su Linda recalled. Now, every two months, she will take the China Laos railway train to Jinghong, Mengla and other places in China.
It’s very convenient to take the train to China now. You can charge and order food on the train, and the service is also very thoughtful, much more comfortable than the shuttle bus, “Su Linda said with a smile.” I’ve been to China more times, and I’ve developed a greater interest in Chinese culture. Every time I come back from China, I can’t wait to share interesting experiences with my friends
Sulinda also observed that “more and more Laotians are going to China, and they often encounter relatives and friends by train”.
On April 13, in Vientiane, Laos, passengers taking the China Laos Railway International Passenger Train arrived at China Laos Railway Vientiane Station. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Kai Qiao)
Laos National Radio reported that the China Laos railway cross-border trains connect many tourist attractions, such as Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and so on, becoming the golden route for cross-border tourism. During the Chinese Spring Festival this year, cross-border tourism via the China Laos Railway continued to rise, sending 12900 cross-border passengers, a significant increase of 41.8% over the same period last year.
As the Lao conductor of the international passenger train of the China Laos Railway, Guo Moli, 25 years old, has witnessed the coming and going of passengers in the past three years, and also felt the continuous warming of people to people and cultural exchanges and cross-border tourism.
When the train first opened, there weren’t as many passengers, “Guo Moli told reporters,” but changes quickly occurred. More and more Laotian students studying in China are returning from China during holidays and then traveling from Laos to China after school starts
On April 13, an international passenger train of China Laos Railway from Kunming, China arrived in Vientiane, Laos (UAV photo). Xinhua News Agency (Photo by Xia Ningqin)
The arrival of Chinese tourists is particularly evident. Guo Moli’s introduction: “Nowadays, there are more Chinese tourist groups coming to Laos, and you often encounter familiar tour guides on the bus
The China Laos railway is becoming a road of friendship between the two peoples. This steel artery makes communication between both parties an accessible daily routine. As Guo Moli said, “Working on the train, I often feel that the hearts of the two peoples are drawn closer