On October 19, the Laos-China Railway Company announced a record-breaking day for cross-border travel. On October 18, the railway transported a remarkable 1,273 international passengers, marking the highest number of travelers since the launch of its services.
This surge in passenger flow coincided with the annual Boun Ok Pansa festival, which is a significant holiday in Laos. During this festive period, locals engage in various celebrations including dragon boat races, markets, and traditional song and dance performances.
To accommodate the increasing demand for cross-border travel, the railway authorities from both Laos and China have implemented several enhancements for travelers. They have proactively coordinated with tour operators to better understand group itineraries and anticipated passenger numbers. Additionally, they have increased train services connecting popular tourist destinations such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Xishuangbanna.
The new tourism initiative kicked off on September 24, with the inaugural “Starry Mekong” cross-border tourism train departing from Kunming, signaling a promising new direction for travel integration along the Laos-China Railway.
In the first three quarters of this year, the railway serviced a total of 177,000 cross-border passengers and facilitated the transport of goods valued at 13.8 billion yuan, reflecting substantial year-over-year growth of 175.6% and 50.5%, respectively. Passengers hailed from 101 different countries and regions, and the cross-border freight network now spans 19 nations, including Laos, Thailand, and Singapore.
