China and Laos have deepened their cooperation in tourism and trade during the first five months of 2026, with the China-Laos railway supporting smoother cross-border travel and cargo flows.
Following the implementation of facilitation policies for ASEAN tour groups over a year ago, the railway corridor has emerged as a premier route for cross-border travel. Several tour groups from ASEAN countries now enter Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture daily via expedited clearance channels to experience local ethnic culture, savor regional cuisine, and visit popular attractions.
Since the beginning of 2026, cross-border passenger traffic at the Mohan Railway Port has surged by more than 35 percent year-on-year, reflecting a booming border tourism market.
In southwest China's Yunnan Province, a visa‑free policy for ASEAN tourist groups entering via Xishuangbanna was implemented starting February 10, 2025, covering ten member states including Malaysia, Thailand, and Laos.
For Lao tour guides like Virasone Boutavong, the booming cross-border tourism has translated into busier schedules and more diverse itineraries that highlight the best of Xishuangbanna's cultural and natural charms.
"I plan to spend four days and three nights exploring Xishuangbanna, and we will also visit Gaozhuang," she said.
While tourists are enjoying easier access to cross-border trips, goods are also flowing more efficiently between the two countries, with efficient cold-chain logistics enabling greater volumes of fresh fruits to be imported from Southeast Asian countries such as Laos and Thailand, and Chinese mechanical and electrical products traveling the other way.
Ports including Mohan, Hekou and Daluo have rolled out a series of facilitation measures such as "green channels", "priority inspection" and "inspection upon arrival" to achieve fast customs clearance.
Thanks to these efforts, some tropical fruits from Laos can reach the Chinese domestic market on the same day they are picked. In the first five months, the overall customs clearance efficiency for goods between the two countries has improved by 35 percent.
From the booming tourism industry to the unimpeded logistics network, the connectivity between China and Laos is continuously improving in both quality and efficiency, injecting strong impetus into high-quality regional development.
China-Laos Railway fuels cross-border tourism, trade
