Since the China-Laos Railway opened in December 2021, Mohan has recorded a sharp increase in cross-border passenger movement and goods trade. The border town is in southwest China’s Yunnan Province.

China-Laos Railway Drives Mohan Trade Growth
China-Laos Railway Drives Mohan Trade Growth

According to Bastille Post⁠, more than 3,000 passenger trains have run on the route. Through Mohan Port, the railway has handled 840,000 entries and exits by travelers from over 120 countries and regions.

China-Laos Railway brings more travelers through Mohan

Recent passengers said the line has become an unusual meeting point for international travelers. Also, its growing popularity has made the route a distinctive way for travelers to connect with people from around the world.

Li Wanxin, a traveler from northwest China’s Gansu Province, said:

“I was backpacking in Southeast Asia, taking the China-Laos Railway from Vientiane back to China. The travel experience has really improved a lot. I have met many European and American backpackers, who also entered China via this railway,”

Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is on a five-day state visit to China, recently praised the railway for helping create trade opportunities for Laos, a landlocked country.

Mohan Port handles Lao agricultural exports

The line has already supported bilateral trade with China. It has also helped Laos become a major agricultural export hub.

During the peak harvest season for tropical fruits such as durian, Mohan Port’s freight yard is busy receiving imports from Laos. Meanwhile, cold-chain logistics now allow freshly harvested Lao fruit to reach Chinese markets on the same day.

The same rail link also carries new energy vehicles and specialty plateau agricultural products south. At the same time, tropical products move north from Laos.

Liu Qi, a local customs officer, said:

“The Lancang-Mekong Express international cold-chain freight train can now arrive in Kunming in just 26 hours. Via rail-road intermodal transport, the cargo can reach Shanghai, Hangzhou and other cities within 40 hours. In the meantime, new energy vehicles and specialty plateau agricultural products also travel south on the railway. The opening-up paradigm where trains bring temperate products to Laos and take back tropical products has taken shape,”

The rise in passenger and freight flows has also contributed to industrial upgrading in Mohan. In addition, more workers in cross-border warehousing, sorting, logistics and trade are gathering in the town. Its supporting industries have become more complete in recent years.