A train of the China-Laos Railway, departing from Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province, arrives at the Vientiane Station, in Vientiane, Laos, April 13, 2026. (Photo by Kaikeo Saiyasane/Xinhua)

As of Wednesday, passenger trains operating on the railway had completed more than 100,000 journeys, reflecting the line’s growing importance as a regional transport corridor, China Railway Kunming Group reported.

Passenger demand has increased steadily since the railway opened. Monthly passenger volumes have risen from around 600,000 during the initial phase of operations to a peak of 2.25 million. On the Chinese section of the railway, daily passenger services have expanded from eight trains to a peak of 86, while services on the Lao section have increased from four to 18 trains per day.

Cross-border passenger services have emerged as a key driver of the railway’s growth. Since the launch of international passenger trains on 13 April 2023, travellers have been able to journey directly between Kunming South Station in China’s Yunnan Province and Vientiane, the capital of Laos, providing a faster and more convenient option for tourism, business and people-to-people exchanges.

The route currently operates four international passenger trains each day, with the fastest service completing the journey in just nine hours and 36 minutes. Customs clearance procedures at Mohan railway port have also been streamlined, reducing processing times to around 50 minutes.

Passenger traffic has continued to grow strongly in 2026. By Wednesday, the railway had handled 9.27 million passenger trips this year, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.5 percent. Cross-border passenger numbers reached 164,000, up 35.3 percent compared with the same period last year.

The latest figures highlight the China–Laos Railway’s expanding role in strengthening connectivity, facilitating trade and tourism, and supporting economic co-operation between Laos, China and the wider region.

KPL