Asia’s high-speed rail network is gradually taking shape, with plans to extend connectivity from Malaysia to China gaining traction. The success of the Laos-China high-speed rail link has bolstered enthusiasm for a pan-ASEAN rail service.
The 1,035 km rail line connects Kunming in China’s Yunnan province to Vientiane, Laos, enhancing regional connectivity and influencing travel in Thailand and Malaysia. With stops at eight stations – four in each country – the journey takes 10.5 hours, including customs checks at the border, where passengers must disembark with their luggage for immigration clearance before reboarding.
Two trains operate daily, departing from Kunming South and Vientiane in the morning and reaching their destinations by evening. The route has boosted tourism, particularly in Xishuangbanna, China, and Luang Prabang, Laos, which have seen increased visitor numbers.
Laurent Kuenzle, CEO of Asian Trails, describes the Laos-Kunming service as “a major leap forward in cross-border train travel in Asia,” paving the way for new tourism opportunities. “Passengers can explore lesser-seen destinations and experience slow travel while enjoying scenic rural landscapes,” he says. Having personally taken the journey, Kuenzle highlights the modern, punctual, and impeccably clean trains, as well as the airport-style stations equipped with cafés and convenience stores.
The challenge now lies in integrating more Southeast Asian countries into China’s high-speed rail network. Thailand has confirmed that the Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail project, which will connect to Vientiane via the Mekong River, is expected to be operational by 2030, albeit delayed.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is leveraging these expanding rail connections to attract more visitors. Plans include developing new tourist attractions and collaborating with local operators to curate package tours along emerging rail routes.