On the rails
Train-driven travel boom shows potentials for regional cooperation
Improved transportation infrastructure has always been a precondition for regional tourism development. Before the railway opened, the areas along the line were endowed with abundant natural and cultural resources, yet they were long constrained by limited accessibility.
Connecting popular destinations such as Kunming, Xishuangbanna, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane, the railway links over 560 tourist attractions along its route, making it a "golden route" for cross-border travel.
This convenient and efficient travel experience has not only sparked interest in new tourism models — such as "visiting Laos by rail" and "exploring Yunnan by rail" — but also boosted regional economic development. Leveraging the railway, these transport advantages are translating into tangible gains.
Xishuangbanna's tourism market has grown significantly: in 2025, it received 674,100 overseas visitors and generated $441 million in foreign-exchange earnings from tourism, both up by more than 110 percent year-on-year.
