Boten–Vientiane railway

Boten–Vientiane railway
A CR200J-train at Vang Vieng station
Overview
Other name(s)
  • Laos–China Railway
  • Laos section of the Kunming–Singapore railway
  • Laos higher-speed rail (Laos HSR)
Native nameທາງລົດໄຟບໍ່ເຕັນ-ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ, ລົດໄຟ ລາວ ຈີນ (Lao)
磨萬鐵路, 中老鐵路老撾段 (Chinese)
StatusOperational
OwnerLaos–China Railway Company Limited (LCR)
LocaleLaos
Termini
Continues fromYuxi–Mohan railway
Continues asBangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway (planned)
Stations20
Service
Type
Operator(s)China Railway Kunming Group
Rolling stockCR200J, HXD3C, 25G
Daily ridership7,000~10,000(Q1,2023)
History
Commenced25 December 2016 (2016-12-25)
Opened3 December 2021 (2021-12-03)
Completed12 October 2021 (2021-10-12)
Technical
Line length422 km (262 mi)
Number of tracks1
CharacterElevated
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line
Operating speed
  • Passenger:
  • 160 km/h (100 mph)
  • Freight:
  • 120 km/h (75 mph)
Route map

km
ChinaLaos border
China–Laos Friendship Tunnel
0
Boten
12
Nateuy
28
Na Moh
Na Thong
67
Muang Xay
Na Khok
113
Mueang Nga
Huay Han
167
Luang Prabang
Xieng Ngeun
Sala Phu Khun
239
Mueang Kasi
Ban Pha Daeng
283
Vang Vieng
Vang Khi
342
Phonhong
Ban Saka
Vientiane North
406
Vientiane
Thanaleng
Vientiane South
Key

The Boten–Vientiane railway is the Lao section of the Laos–China Railway (LCR), running between the capital Vientiane and the northern town of Boten on the border with Yunnan, China. The line was officially opened on 3 December 2021.

A collaborative project between Laos and China, the line's northern end is directly connected to the Chinese rail system at Mohan in Yunnan, through the Yuxi–Mohan railway, and has provisions in the south to link up with the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway in Thailand and possibly all the way to Singapore via HSR. The railway ends at Vientiane South cargo station. The Boten–Vientiane railway is an integral section of the central line on the Kunming–Singapore railway, and was constructed as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).