BEIJING/VIENTIANE – The China-Laos Railway is experiencing a remarkable surge in both passenger and freight traffic in 2025, underscoring its growing role as a “Golden Line” linking China with Southeast Asia. According to the latest data up to May 22, the railway transported over 8.45 million passengers and 9.93 million tons of goods, with both figures showing significant year-on-year growth.
This robust performance is credited with revitalizing regional connectivity and enhancing high-quality economic development across the China-ASEAN corridor.
Tourism Revival Accelerates with Cross-Border Travel Options
Since the beginning of the second quarter, and in light of public holidays such as the Water-Splashing Festival and May Day, search trends for travel keywords like “Train to the Water Festival” and “Train to Xishuangbanna” have surged. The Chinese section of the route set new records, moving 91,000 passengers in a single day, and the Xishuangbanna station alone saw 38,000 departures in 24 hours.
To meet rising demand, the international train route was extended from Xishuangbanna to Pu’er on April 13, increasing the number of stops to eight and expanding cross-border seating capacity to 420. Enhanced offerings such as multilingual services and themed dining have further popularized international trains under the brand “Starlight Lan-Mekong.”
Mohan border station has streamlined passenger processing with a dedicated fast-track lane, facilitating the movement of 110,000 international passengers from 112 countries and regions since January.
Freight Surge Driven by Fresh Produce and Trade Expansion
Freight volumes along the route also surged by 27% compared to last year. Of the total 9.93 million tons moved, 2.34 million tons were cross-border shipments—a rise of 8%. The increase is largely driven by agricultural exports, particularly fresh tropical fruits such as mangosteen from Thailand, Malaysia, and Laos.
The “Lanmei Express,” a specialized cold-chain train, has become a logistical game-changer by reducing delivery times by up to 60% compared to traditional road transport. During the peak tropical fruit harvest in May, shipments averaged 2,000 tons per day, breaking previous records.
Linchpin for tourism and trade
With infrastructure improvements, seamless customs processes, and rising regional demand, the China-Laos Railway continues to cement its role as a linchpin for tourism and trade in Southeast Asia. Analysts suggest the momentum will carry through the summer as international cooperation deepens and rail connectivity expands across the region. (zai)