KPL
The China Railway Kunming Group Co. has reported a sharp rise in cross-border passenger traffic on the China-Laos Railway during the recently concluded Spring Festival holiday, according to Xinhua News Agency.
During the nine-day holiday from February 15 to 23, the railway recorded 12,900 cross-border passenger trips, representing a 41.8 percent year-on-year increase. Of the total, more than 6,300 were inbound travelers, up 52.7 percent compared to the same period last year, while outbound passengers exceeded 6,500, marking a 32.5 percent rise.
The strong growth reflects heightened demand for regional travel during one of China’s busiest holiday seasons, as families, tourists, and business travelers took advantage of improved rail connectivity between the two countries.
Spanning 1,035 kilometers from Kunming in southwest China’s Yunnan Province to Vientiane, the railway officially commenced operations on December 3, 2021. International passenger train services between the two cities were launched on April 13, 2023, further enhancing cross-border mobility and tourism exchanges.
The railway now connects more than 560 tourist destinations along its route, positioning it as a key cross-border travel corridor in the region. Since its inauguration, it has facilitated over 700,000 cross-border trips by travelers from 124 countries and regions, underscoring its expanding role in promoting people-to-people exchanges, tourism development, and regional economic integration.
With demand continuing to grow, the China-Laos Railway is expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening connectivity and cooperation between China and Laos.
KPL
