The new railway line linking China and Laos (老挝) opened to traffic on December 3, 2021. All the passengers on the train were very excited.
The line is 1,035 kilometers long and it runs between Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, and Vientiane (万象), the capital of Laos. It takes about 10 hours to get to Vientiane from Kunming. This line, with a top speed of 200 kilometers per hour, has 50 stations.
Engineer (Ouyang Qiang took part in construction (建设) of the new line. "Each station along the line has a special and beautiful view." he said, adding that Yunnan has pleasant weather in all seasons and the views are fantastic all year round.
Hang Dianhua. 76, was on the first train on Friday from Kunming to Xishuangbanna. "One of my students took part in this project. It's a proud event for China. I hope to take the train with my daughter and two granddaughters who live in Beijing in the future." Hang said.
Jaruwan comes from Thatiland. Now she works in Yunnan. She was also a passenger on the train. She believes fruit from Thailand can be sent faster and cheaper to China. And at the same time, the new tourism routes (路线) might be developed thanks to the line. More Chinese people will take the railway to Laos, and then visit Thailand.
The China-Laos Railway is part of a bigger plan to connect Kunming all the way with Singapore.
