Dali–Ruili Railway

The Dali–Ruili railway or Darui railway (大瑞铁路), is a single-track electrified railroad under construction in Yunnan Province of Southwest China. The line is slated to run 336.39 km (209 mi) from Dali to Ruili on the border with Myanmar.  The line traverses rugged terrain, and bridges and tunnels will account for 75% of the total track length, including the 36 km Gaoligongshan Tunnel through the Gaoligong Mountains.

The Dali–Ruili railway, also known as the Darui railway (大瑞铁路), is a single-track electrified railway in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Let’s explore the details of this fascinating rail connection:

  • Route:
    • The railway spans approximately 336.39 kilometers (about 209 miles) from Dali to Ruili, which lies on the border with Myanmar.
    • The line traverses rugged terrain, with bridges and tunnels accounting for 75% of the total track length.
    • Notably, the 34.5 km Gaoligongshan Tunnel pierces through the Gaoligong Mountains.
  • Construction Timeline:
    • Construction began in May 2011 and was initially scheduled to take six years.
    • However, due to delays, the railway opened only in July 2022.
    • The initial section from Dali to Baoshan commenced operations on July 22, 2022.
  • Stations Along the Route:
    • The railway connects cities and counties including Dali, Yangbi Yi Autonomous County, Yongping County, Baoshan, Pupiao, Mangshi, and Ruili.
  • Future Development:
    • The Dali–Ruili railway may eventually form part of the western route of China’s Trans-Asian Railway, linking to Southeast Asia.
    • Authorities have considered connecting it with railways in Myanmar.