China-Laos Railway cuts Guiyang-Xishuangbanna journey time

The China-Laos Railway officially opened for operation on Dec 3, making travel by rail between Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, and Xishuangbanna, Southwest China's Yunnan province, more convenient.

The railway track from Guiyang North Railway Station to Xishuangbanna Railway Station measures 903 kilometers, however there is no direct train route. Passengers need to transfer at Kunming South Railway Station or Kunming Railway Station in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province.

The fastest way to travel between Guiyang and Xishuangbanna is to transfer at Kunming South Railway Station, then take the train to Xishuangbanna, which is now on the China-Laos Railway line. A one-way trip takes around five and a half hours.

During the opening of the China-Laos Railway, the railway departments of China and Laos formulated plans for the operation of passenger and freight trains under the conditions of epidemic prevention and control. Temporary restrictions have been put on passenger transportation, meaning that cross-border passenger trains will not be operated during the epidemic period. 

The domestic section in China has operated multiple Fuxing bullet trains from Kunming to Xishuangbanna and Mohan town.