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02 HEADLINES | 要闻

China-Laos Railway—

A journey of four-year growth and vitality

中老铁路通车四周年——

一路飞驰，一路繁花

By our staff correspondents □ 本刊综合

Start your morning with a
bowl of small-pot rice noodles in Kunming, sam-
ple the local “coffee in one hand, tea in the other” tradi-
tion in Pu’er by noon, and by evening, take in the sunset
over the Mekong River. Stretching 1,035 kilometers from
Kunming, China in the north to Vientiane, Laos in the Inspired by what he saw, he
south, the China-Laos Railway has made cross-border day made a special trip to ride the bullet
trips a reality. train to Xishuangbanna. “The train is clean, quiet,
On December 3, the China-Laos Railway marked and really smooth,” he observed. “It winds through bridg-
its fourth year in operation. Since its opening, this “steel es and tunnels one after another, with absolutely breath-
Silk Road” has moved more than 72.5 million tons of taking views outside the window the entire journey.”
freight, with the range of cross-border goods now ex- The appeal of the China–Laos Railway goes far be- that’s helping visitors
ceeding 3,800 different types. It has also carried over yond its landscapes; it also deeply connects the cultures from both countries appreciate each
62.5 million passenger journeys, including 640,000 in- and hearts of the two peoples. On January 14 this year, as other’s cultures more,” he remarked.
ternational trips made by travelers from more than 120 the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake drew near, a The second is the Beauty of Harmony Through
countries and regions. train carrying the spirit of the season traveled along this Neighborly Kinship. Similar languages and a common
During its four years of operation, the China-Laos route. tradition of brocade weaving drew Khounvongsa Boun-
Railway has taken off as an online phenomenon, spurring The “Riding with Songs, Connecting with Hearts” thavy—a Lao scholar pursuing a PhD in the History of
deeper cooperation between China and Laos, Thailand, Spring Festival event came alive aboard the train, bring- Marxist Development at Yunnan University, who also
and other ASEAN nations in the economy, culture, tour- ing together passengers from China, Laos, Germany, and serves as Director and Lecturer at the Khammouane
ism, and daily life. It has been hailed by international me- beyond to share personal stories of their travels along the Provincial School of Politics and Administration under
dia as an “international golden corridor.” China–Laos Railway. Those on board agreed that the line Laos’ National Academy of Politics and Public Admin-
On December 3, influencers from the UK, Ukraine, carried not just people, but an extraordinary sense of fes- istration—to Jinghong in Yunnan. Here, he encountered
Sri Lanka, Vietnam and elsewhere took a ride on the Chi- tivity and heartfelt connection. a community woven together into a vibrant tapestry of
na–Laos Railway bullet train, live-streaming its smooth Reflecting on these developments, Pongdong Paxa- everyday happiness, and in the process, found what he
and speedy journey while sharing the breathtaking vistas phacdy, the Consul General of Laos in Kunming, shared calls his own “Yunnan family.”
along the way with their followers. his perspective: “With the opening of the railway, our two Tea and the railway brought Lao tea merchant Apin
“We’ve come to ride the wave of the China–Laos countries have gained not only a golden corridor but also from Luang Namtha Province closer to friends from Yun-
Railway’s online fame,” said Vietnamese influencer Kieu a China-Laos cultural path that deepens cultural exchange nan. Together they lift their cups, share tastings, and talk
Thuy Duong (transliteration). To her, the railway has be- and people-to-people ties. Culture connects the hearts about tea, life, and future collaborations. Apin reflected
come a genuinely popular attraction across the world. of the Lao and Chinese people. Just as relatives do, we with admiration, “Lao ancient-tree tea is bright and re-
The railway weaves together Pu’er’s tea-covered should visit each other more often, strengthen mutual un- freshing, while Yunnan Pu’er is deep and mellow—each
hills, Xishuangbanna’s lush rainforests, the ancient derstanding, make good use of the China-Laos Railway, distinct, yet equally lasting in memory.”
charm of Luang Prabang, the striking karst scenery of and work together to build this cultural pathway.” The last is the Beauty of Integration Through Mutual
Vang Vieng, and the serene Mekong River views of Along this “cultural path,” countless touching stories Learning Among Civilizations. This year, the Chinese–
Vientiane. Today, riding the bullet train across China continue to unfold. Lao bilingual magazine Champa marked its 20th anni-
and Laos has become a must-do travel experience for The first is the Beauty of Discovery Through Cultural versary. In the prime of its life, it has found a new home
international visitors. and Tourism Integration. Since the opening of the China– aboard the China–Laos Railway’s international passenger
This trend has gone viral online. Across both Chinese Laos Railway, Lao tour guide Soulideth has stayed bus- trains as part of their onboard reading collection. By
and international social media, content about the China– ier than ever. He now regularly escorts Chinese tourists embracing the digital age, Champa continues to bring
Laos Railway—from travel guides and scenic footage to through the ancient lanes of Luang Prabang, while also Chinese and Lao readers closer, offering each a clearer
culinary highlights—fills countless feeds. American trave- using social video platforms to introduce Yunnan’s world window into the other’s world.
ler Christopher was among those captivated by such clips. heritage routes to Lao audiences. “It’s really the railway Katal Mrknoxa, a longtime contributor to the mag-

主管、主办：云南日报报业集团 中文编辑：张敏
Supervisor and publisher: Yunnan Daily Press Group Chinese Editor: Zhang Min
出版单位：《云南旅游文化时报（中英文）》编辑部 英文编辑：王世学 王靖中 郭瑶 王韵雅 张敏
Published by Yunnan Tourism and Culture Times (Chinese and English) Editorial Office English Editors: Wang Shixue, Wang Jingzhong, Guo Yao, Wang Yunya, Zhang Min
国内统一刊号：CN 53—0059 Issue serial number: CN 53—0059
编辑指导委员会成员：田静 王廷尧 Supervising Commissioners: Tian Jing, Wang Tingyao 视觉设计 : 孙勇刚
统筹：祖红兵 舒文 Coordinator: Zu Hongbing, Shu Wen Designer: Sun Yonggang