Vientiane–Boten railway

The Vientiane–Boten railway (often referred to as the China–Laos railway) is a 414 kilometres (257 mi) 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge railway under construction in Laos, between the capital Vientiane and the small town of Boten on the border with China.

In the north the line will be connected to the Chinese rail system in Mohan, through the Yuxi–Mohan railway. In the south it meets the existing metre-gauge railway in Thanaleng, linking it via Nhong Khai in Thailand to Bangkok. A high-speed, standard gauge extension to Bangkok is also under construction. When finished, the Vientiane–Boten railway will form an important part of the Kunming–Singapore railway.

China aims to build a 5,500-km trans-Asia railway, which begins in Yunnan’s provincial capital Kunming and travels through Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia, before ending in Singapore, according to Ding He, a deputy project manager for the China–Laos railway project.

The Vientiane–Boten railway is a significant rail link connecting the capital of Laos, Vientiane, to the northern town of Boten on the border with Yunnan, China. Here are some key details about this railway:

  • Route Overview:
    • Length: Approximately 422 kilometers (262 miles) .
    • Termini:
      • Start Point: Vientiane Railway Station in Vientiane, Laos.
      • End Point: Boten Railway Station near the China-Laos border.
    • Stations: The railway serves 20 stations, including stops in cities like Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Muang Xay, and Luang Namtha .
    • Operating Speed:
      • Passenger trains operate at a maximum speed of 160 km/h (100 mph).
      • Freight trains run at a maximum speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) .
  • Historical Context:
    • Laos, being landlocked, faced trade challenges. The railway aims to reduce cargo transit times and transportation costs between Laos and China .
    • Talks about the railway linking Laos and China began in 2001.
    • The project was driven by Lao politician Somsavat Lengsavad and is part of the Belt and Road Initiative .
  • Integration and Future Plans:
    • The northern end of the Vientiane–Boten railway connects directly to the Chinese rail system at Mohan in Yunnan via the Yuxi–Mohan railway.
    • In the south, provisions exist to link up with the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway in Thailand and potentially extend all the way to Singapore via high-speed rail .