Passengers traveling on the China-Laos Railway international passenger train arrive at the Vientiane station on April 13. KAI QIAO/XINHUA

Since the China-Laos Railway opened in 2021 and passenger service began in 2023, it has become a catalyst for regional prosperity and cultural exchange. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, the railway is driving a surge in tourism and cross-border trade.

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

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.