The Boten-Vientiane Railway (also known as the Laos-China Railway) is a new railway that connects Kunming in China to Vientiane in Laos. From Boten on the China/Laos border, the railway travels 414 km through Laos to the capital of Vientiane. Apart from the border shuttle operated by the State Railway of Thailand, this is the first railway in the landlocked nation of Laos.
The railway was built by Chinese companies and is partly funded by China. In addition to the Laos section, China built a new railway from Kunming to the Laos border. At the southern end, Thailand is building a new railway that will connect to this line. Once this is complete it will be possible to travel from Bangkok to China by train on a continuous railway line.
The railway is standard-gauge (like in China and Europe) electric-powered railway. Thailand runs on a metre gauge (as does most of Southeast Asia), thus Thailand is building a new railway to connect with this line.
After years of planning and negotiations, work on the railway officially began on Christmas Day in 2016, and the railway was completed by the end of 2021. Cross-border passenger trains between Laos and China began on 13 April 2023.
The line is 414.332 kilometres, of which there are 258.5 kilometres of bridges and tunnels. The line is a single-track railway with some double-track sections for passing.
Passenger trains have an operating at a speed of 160 km/h and cargo trains can travel at 120 km/h.
Map of Boten – Vientiane railway
Map of Boten – Vientiane Railway
Stations on the Boten – Vientiane railway
There are 20 stations on the line, with the provision to add more stations in the future.
1. Boten
2. Nateuy
3. Na Mor
4. Na Thong
5. Muong Xai
6. Ban Na Coc
7. Muong Nga
8. Houang Kha
9. Luang Prabang
10. Xiang Ngeun
11. Sala Pac Thu
12. Muang Kasi
13. Ban Pha Tang
14. Vang Vieng
15. Vang Khi
16. Phonhong
17. Ban Phonsuong
18. Vientiane North
19. Vientiane
20. Vientiane South
Links and resources
The official Lao Railway site is http://www.lcrc.ltd/
News is posted on the official Facebook page at Laos – China Railway Company Limited.
Laos-China Railway review – observations while riding the train from Vientiane to Boten – My trip report from my visit in May 2022.
Laos-China Railway travel guide – My guide to the Laos-China Railway from Vientiane to Boten, including tickets, train types, station guides, onboard amenities, and transport to stations.
skyscrapercity.com – Forum with news links and construction photos.
treasuresoflaos.blogspot.com – Lots of posts about the construction, with a Google Map that includes bridge and tunnel locations.
Railway ODX – Facebook fan page about the railway in Oudomxay province.
News archive
The following links are the news archives of the China–Laos railway.
2024
China-Laos Railway has handled 10 million tonnes of goods – [17/09/24]
China-Laos Railway handles over 3 million tonnes of imports, exports since 2024 – [18/07/24]
China-Laos Railway records over 222,000 cross-border passengers – [08/07/24]
Lao village resettlement for railway hailed a win-win – [29/06/24]
Laos-China railway carries 2.3m tons of cargo in 5 months – [17/06/24]
“The Laos-China Railway carried 2.3 million tons cargo in the first five months of this year, an increase of 31 percent compared to the same period last year.”
Passenger travel on Laos-China Railway reaches record heights – [06/06/24]
China-Laos Railway handles over 200,000 cross-border passenger trips – [25/05/24]
China-Laos Railway brings higher mobility, employment as profit concerns linger – [08/05/24]
Guiyang-Laos tourist train set to debut – [20/04/24]
“The first tourist train running from Guiyang in Southwest China’s Guizhou province to Vientiane in Laos will set off on its debut journey on May 8.”
China-Laos train successful – [15/04/24]
“The China-Laos Railway handled 700,000 passenger trips last year, further boosting tourism development, China State Railway Group said.”
China-Laos Railway expands international passenger service with additional train pair – [15/04/24]
“The newly added pair of trains run between Xishuangbanna of China and Luang Prabang of Laos”.
China-Laos Railway handles 1.38 million tonnes of imports, exports in Q1 – [04/04/24]
Rising theft of cables and bolts along the Laos-China railway – [28/03/24]
“Police arrested 71 people last year for stealing the equipment – probably to raise cash.”
Cross-border tourism: 2024’s first Beijing to Laos tourist train departs from Chinese capital – [19/03/24]
China-Laos Railway handles over 9,000 cargo trains – [19/03/24]
Laos-China Railway handles over 30 million passenger trips; daily trips have even over 100,000 passengers – [17/03/24]
Rail operator adds new stations as passenger numbers surge – [13/03/24]
“Starting on March 10, the Laos-China Railway Company Limited has opened two new stations on the cross-border service, namely Xay station on the Lao side of the border and Yuxi station in China.”
China-Laos Railway’s first Spring Festival travel rush boosts cross-border tourism – [17/02/24]
“The China-Laos Railway is witnessing its first Spring Festival travel rush since the railway started cross-border passenger services on April 13, 2023.”
China-Laos Railway builds on momentum in new year as cargo and passenger numbers grow – [08/02/24]
“The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) flagship project of China-Laos Railway has facilitated 27.87 million passenger journeys and 32.56 million tons of cargo since it entered operation on December 3, 2021”.
2023
China-Laos Railway’s Laos section breaks daily record with over 10,000 passengers – [24/12/23]
China-Laos Railway records over 100,000 cross-border passengers – [08/12/23]
More than 100 displaced northern Laos families refuse resettlement – [09/11/23]
“After they lost their homes to the Lao-China Railway, the families were told to move into new resettlement villages.”
China-Laos Railway trains carry 81,000 cross-border passengers – [14/10/23]
Railway operations training college opens in Laos – [13/10/23]
Luang Prabang families displaced by Laos-China Railway project get relocated to new village – [25/09/23]
What this $6 billion rail line in Laos reveals about China’s future – [23/09/23]
“A China-built rail line in Laos aims to jumpstart the country’s exports and provide China a key link to overseas markets. WSJ explores the ambition behind the $6 billion project—part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative—and the economic implications for the region.”
Laos-China Railway purchases new train to boost passenger travel – [21/09/23]
‘We have clients all year round’: New railway line brings Chinese travellers to ancient Laos town – [02/09/23]
“1,000km Laos-China Railway connects Chinese city Kunming to Laos’ capital Vientiane.”
Laos-China Railway to increase ticket prices by 20 percent this year – [17/08/23]
Some villagers in Vientiane holding out for higher Laos-China railway payout – [07/08/23]
“The US$6 billion railway has been criticized for displacing several thousand farmers.”
Vientiane residents affected by Laos-China Railway project still await compensation – [04/08/23]
China-Laos Railway passenger service speeds up by over an hour – [28/07/23]
Over 40,000 passengers cross border via China-Laos Railway – [25/07/23]
A $6 billion China-built railway is on the move with a vast new network down the track – [19/07/23]
“People and investments flow into Laos, making it ‘more like China’.”
Railway bringing more Chinese to Laos, business operators say – [21/06/23]
“The number of Chinese tourists coming to Laos has increased significantly since the launch of cross-border passenger services on the Laos-China Railway on April 13, according to hospitality business operators.”
China-Laos Railway records 25,000 cross-border passenger trips – [14/06/23]
High-speed rail to China a ‘source of pride’: Laos president – [26/05/23]
“Southeast Asian nation’s foreign debt is ‘manageable,’ Thongloun says.”
China-Laos Railway records over 13,000 cross-border passenger trips – [15/05/23]
Laos welcomes first Chinese tourists arriving on cross-border train – [20/04/23]
Laos-China Railway launches crossborder passenger service – [14/04/23]
Laos – China railway launches cross-border passenger trains – [13/04/23]
Laos-China Railway to start cross-border travel to China in April – [23/03/23]
Lao Prime Minister orders installation of immigration checkpoints at railway stations – [17/03/23]
Laos enters era of online train ticket sales with new app – [14/03/23]
Laos-China Railway sets record with 10,000 travelers in one day – [06/03/23]
Tourists crowd onto Laos-China high speed railway – [24/02/23]
“Beijing’s decision to lift COVID restrictions has led to sold out routes and long ticket lines across the border.”
Laos, China, Thailand operate first round-trip freight train – [09/02/23]
Passengers may wait 4 hours to pass immigration on Laos-China Railway – [25/01/23]
Ambition, concern drive Lao-China high-speed rail project – [14/01/23]
2022
Laos-China Railway yet to compensate over 1,000 families – [26/12/22]
Govt. to compensate those affected by construction of Laos-China Railway – [15/12/22]
First fruit transportation train launched on China-Laos Railway – [06/12/22]
A year on, Laotians say high-speed rail link with China has brought them few benefits – [05/12/22]
“Strict Chinese controls, Lao companies’ inability to transport large quantities contribute to imbalance.”
Laos-China Railway unveils ticket reservation app on first anniversary – [04/12/22]
Laos, China to celebrate first anniversary of high-speed railway – [02/12/22]
85% of tourists visit Luang Prabang travel via Laos-China Railway – [22/11/22]
Construction of railway training college 70 percent complete – [16/11/22]
“The Lao Railway Vocational Technical College, which is being built on a 14-hectare site in Vientiane, is now 70 percent complete and is expected to be finished in 2023.:
China-Laos railway passes 10-million-ton mark for cargo delivery – [09/11/22]
A new station added to Laos-China Railway freight operations – [02/11/22]
Laos-China Railway to develop cross-border transportation to China – [18/10/22]
Laos’ fast train to China brings connection at a cost, with big promises but uneven progress – [29/10/22]
Laos-China Railway to develop cross-border transportation to China – [18/10/22]
Laos-China Railway upgrades its train ticket – [04/10/22]
Luang Namtha residents receive houses from Laos-China Railway – [28/09/22]
Vientiane Railway Station announces overnight parking and toilet facilities – [11/09/22]
Over 1 mln tonnes of goods transported on China-Laos Railway – [10/08/22]
The train to dependence on China – [08/08/22]
“Since December, Laos has been home to a new high-speed rail connection connecting the capital to China. It is a boon for many in the poor, Southeast Asian country, but is it a luxury it can really afford?”
Laos-China Railway proposes standing tickets – [06/07/22]
Laos-China Railway company fed up with trespassers and domestic animals – [04/07/22]
China-Laos Railway inducts Lao train drivers – [20/06/22]
Lao, Thai, Chinese firms ink deal on rail freight – [17/06/22]
“Four companies, from Laos, Thailand and China, have signed an agreement on the transport of freight using the Laos-China railway, to facilitate the shipment of exports.”
Lao-China Railway carries over 400,000 passengers to destinations – [13/06/22]
Laos-China Railway opens new station in Oudomxay Province – [01/06/22]
Laos-China railway will soon link to Thanaleng Dry Port – [25/05/22]
Laos-China Railway to launch conventional train service – [21/02/22]
Construction of railway training college 30 percent complete – [18/02/22]
Laos-China Railway asks govt permission to use foreign currency – [14/02/22]
So far, freight on new Laos-China high-speed railway only goes one way – [24/01/22]
“Goods from China are zipping across the border while products from Laos are getting stuck there.”
Vang Vieng Station commences freight services along Laos-China Railway – [18/01/22]
Laos-China Railway allows three-day advance ticket purchases – [13/01/22]
2021
Laos-China railway project to be profitable after 23 years – [27/12/21]
Long lines for railway tickets leave passengers out on a limb – [24/12/21]
The completed China-Laos Railway: Bringing opportunities for ASEAN and the Asia Pacific – [21/12/21]
Laos responds to criticism by Thai media on Laos-China Railway – [20/12/21]
Laos’ scenic railway built on mountain of Chinese debt – [19/12/21]
China’s southern railway expansion is not all good news for Laos – [19/12/21]
First freight trains arrive at destinations in both countries along Laos-China Railway – [06/12/21]
Laos-China Railway Inaugurated Amid Mounting Debt Concerns – [03/12/21]
“The $5.9 billion railway, an impressive feat of Chinese engineering, is set to tie Laos ever closer to its northern neighbor.”
China-Laos railway begins with limited service – [03/12/21]
Laos-China Railway officially launched – [03/12/21]
Graphics: China-Laos railway illustrated – [03/12/21]
Laos-China Railway officially Launched – [03/12/22]
“The Laos-China Railway was officially launched today during a ceremony presided over by Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith and Chinese President Xi Jinping.”
Laos gives Buddhist blessings to its new high-speed rail line – [02/12/21]
Giant China, tiny Laos link up with launch of high-speed train – [02/12/21]
Laos-China railway confirms passenger fares – [01/12/21]
China-Laos high-speed railway set to roll through COVID cloud – [30/11/21]
Laos hopes for economic boost from Chinese-built railway – [28/11/21]
Lao railway cables keep getting cut – [26/10/21]
As first Chinese high-speed train reaches Laos, villagers demand overdue compensation – [19/10/19]
Man electrocuted cutting cables along Laos-China Railway – [18/10/21]
Historic moment as first passenger train along Laos-China railway arrives in Laos – [15/10/21]
Laos-China railway to open for freight transport before allowing passengers – [11/10/21]
Completed Vientiane Station on track for Laos-China railway opening – [06/10/21]
“Constructed over some 14,543 square meters in Xay Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital Station will be the largest station along the railway, with three platforms and five track lines.”
Lao villagers not yet paid for land lost to China-backed high-speed rail project – [05/10/21]
Laos constructs railway vocational technical college – [29/09/21]
Lao workers on China-backed railway project go unpaid for almost two months – [23/09/21]
Final rail welded on Laos-China Railway – [21/09/21]
“China Railway Group has welded the final 500-meter section of seamless rails on the Laos-China Railway line in time for the project’s opening at the end of this year.”
Laos-China railway to be green, low-carbon railway – [01/09/21]
“The China Southern Power Grid Company has completed the installation of electricity transmission poles along the Laos-China Railway, saying the railway will be a green, low-carbon electrified railway.”
Laos-China Railway scheduled to open in December this year – [12/08/21]
“”The Laos-China Railway will be completed in November, and will be open and ready for use by Laos National Day on 2 December,” said Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay.”
Government to continue compensating residents affected by Laos-China Railway – [27/07/21]
Phonhong Station complete along Laos-China Railway – [26/07/21]
“The station is located in Phonhong, some 70 kilometers north of Vientiane Capital. It has a maximum capacity of 300 passengers, with a total area of 1,500 square meters.”
Luang Prabang station along Laos-China Railway to be completed next month – [12/07/21]
Construction progress of China-Laos Railway on schedule despite pandemic – [26/06/21]
Laos to test train line to China in August – [23/06/21]
“The test on the 420-kilometre track was set for August before the service launch in December”.
As Lao-China rail line nears completion, some displaced by the work still wait to be paid – [17/06/21]
“Lao villagers displaced by construction near Vientiane of the $5.9 billion high-speed rail line linking China with Laos are still waiting for promised compensation though most stations on the line are almost fully built, Lao sources say.”
Construction of all communication towers along China-Laos railway completed – [16/05/21]
China, Laos to complete railway by the end of this year – [28/04/21]
Laos-China railway track 80 percent complete – [05/04/21]
“The laying of railway track for the Laos-China Railway project is now 80 percent complete, with the final sections of track scheduled to be completed by May this year.”
Laos braces for promise, peril of China’s high-speed railway – [04/03/21]
Feature: Carrying forward “spirit of ox,” builders striving for timely completion of China-Laos railway – [14/02/21]
Lao village farmland, paddies destroyed by work on Lao-China railway line – [29/01/21]
2020
China-Laos railway tracks laid to Luang Prabang, achieving yearly goals – [30/12/20]
China-Laos railway seals roof of border gate station – [22/12/20]
“With the cast of the last can of concrete, the main structure of Boten Station, Laos’ border gate station along the China-Laos railway, constructed by the China Railway Construction Engineering Group (CRCEG) was successfully concluded.”
Government signs on for railway land development deal – [15/12/20]
“The Laos-China Railway Co. is to develop areas surrounding railway stations in Vientiane Capital, Vientiane Province, Oudomxay, and Luang Prabang.”
Laos-China railway may not be completed on schedule – [30/11/20]
China-Laos railway seals roof of its largest Vientiane station building – [22/11/20]
Laos-China railway construction faces unique challenges – [17/11/20]
Thousands wait for railway compensation in Laos’ Oudomxay Province – [16/11/20]
“The Lao-China railway project is now more than 90 percent complete, but around 500 families affected by the construction in Laos’ northwestern Oudomxay province still lack adequate shelter and access to clean water, sources in the country told RFA.”
China-Laos railway holes all 75 tunnels – [29/09/20]
“Xiang Ngeun No. 3 Tunnel, the last tunnel along the China-Laos Railway in Luang Prabang Province, some 210 km north of Lao capital Vientiane, was drilled through on Tuesday.”
The China-Laos railway: a way out of poverty or a white elephant in waiting? – [26/09/20]
“Critics of the Belt and Road Initiative rail link through Laos from China point to its devastating environmental impact and potential economic ruin for an already fragile economy. Others hope it can take Laos from landlocked to ‘land-linked’.”
Onboard China’s Belt and Road Express: Does Laos stand to benefit? – [31/07/20]
“The first piece of track on Kunming-Vientiane railway was laid in April as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But with the project steaming ahead, does Laos stand to actually see any benefits from the project, or is it merely in Beijing’s interest?”
Main structure of super bridge for China-Laos railway completed in SW China – [30/07/20]
“The main structure of a super bridge on the China-Laos Railway was completed in southwest China’s Yunnan Province on Wednesday, marking a 90 -percent completion of the line’s bridge projects within China and laying the foundation for the completion of the whole line next year.”
Construction of China-Laos railway’s Vientiane station starts – [03/07/20]
“With a construction area of 14,543 square meters, the station can hold maximum 2,500 passengers”.
70th tunnel of China-Laos Railway drilled through in SW China – [30/06/20]
“The completion of the 11.84 km-long tunnel lays a foundation for the punctual opening of the railway in late 2021, which will connect southwest China’s Kunming city to the Laotian capital of Vientiane. With a total length of over 1,000 km, the China-Laos railway will shorten traveling time between the two cities to half a day.”
Trainees for China-Laos railway’s operation receive Chinese language training in Vientiane – [26/06/20]
9km tunnel completed on China-to-Laos railway – [24/06/20]
“A Chinese contractor working on the Laos section of the Kunming-Vientiane railway broke through on a 9-km-long tunnel on Sunday, 21 June in Laos’ mountainous Oudomxay Province. China Railway Guangzhou Engineering Group drilled 9,296 metres through four fault zones for the Ban Nakok Tunnel”.
Laos-China railway almost 90% complete – [09/06/20]
China-Laos railway starts recruiting local employees – [29/05/20]
Fifteen-kilometer tunnel on China-Laos railway completed – [24/05/20]
“The Ganzhuang tunnel, located in Yuanjiang County in the city of Yuxi, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, was the first high-risk tunnel with a length of more than 15 km to be built along the railway line”.
Work completed on tunnel for railway link – [04/05/20]
“Work on the country’s third longest tunnel at Namor district in Oudomxay province, which is part of the Laos-China Railway Project, has been completed.”
Chinese engineering firm fully resumes construction of China-Laos railway – [25/04/20]
China-Laos railway completes beam setting of 1st cross-Mekong River bridge – [23/04/20]
“All the beams of the Luang Prabang cross-Mekong River super major bridge of the China-Laos railway have been installed, according to the Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC)”.
Local workers on Lao-China railway say they have gone without pay for months – [21/04/20]
Construction of 1st communication tower of China-Laos railway completed – [20/04/20]
“The construction of a 40-meter four-pipe communication tower of the China-Laos railway Vientiane station was completed on the outskirts of the Lao capital on Monday, marking major progress in the railway communication signal project.”
Coronavirus delays construction on Lao-China railway – [07/04/20]
China – Laos railway project reaches key milestone – [27/03/20]
“Tracklaying has commenced on the Laotian section of the China – Laos railway as the project enters its final stages.”
Construction of China-Laos railway power supply project starts – [18/03/20]
China-Laos railway project resumes construction in Yunnan – [05/03/20]
Tunnel work on Laos-China railway pollutes local waterways – [28/02/20]
Laos-China railway company launches recruitment of Lao staff in Vientiane – [26/02/20]
Covid-19 or not, China-Laos railway project moves on as planned – [15/02/20]
2019
Can Laos profit from China rail link despite being US$1.5 billion in debt? – [10/12/19]
Nearly 80% of China-Laos railway project completed – [23/09/19]
Can the China–Laos railway keep on track? – [12/07/19]
“Of all the railway projects that Chinese companies are constructing in Southeast Asia, the China–Laos railway has proceeded most rapidly. Construction began in December 2016 and swung into full gear by mid-2017, involving six Chinese contractors from subsidiaries of the state-owned China Railway Group.”
China-Laos railway’s 1st bridge span completed over Mekong River – [21/05/19]
New law promotes railway development in the Lao PDR – [10/05/19]
In Laos, a Chinese-funded railway sparks hope for growth — and fears of debt – [26/04/19]
Employ more Lao to help build railway: President – [08/04/19]
“President Bounnhang Vorachit called for more Lao workers to be employed by the Laos-China Railway Project when he visited a section of the railway under construction in Vientiane”.
China’s US$7 billion railway link to Laos is almost half done, on schedule to begin service in 2021 – [21/03/19]
China’s US$7 billion railway link to Laos is almost half done, on schedule to begin service in 2021 – [21/03/19]
Photo story: The China-built railway cutting through Laos – [14/02/19]
Gallery: The China-built railway cutting through Laos – [08/02/19]
“Surya Chuen follows the emerging railway from Boten in the mountainous north all the way south to Vientiane.”
2018
Rail line through Laos ready in 2021 – [21/09/18]
“A high-speed rail line linking China’s Yunnan province with the Lao capital Vientiane should open in 2021 as officials confirm 40% of the work has already been completed.”
Chinese tourist ‘invasion’ feared as high-speed Laos-China Railway will boost visitor numbers dramatically – [24/08/18]
“Chinese nationals already make up about 11 per cent of visitors to Laos. When the railway is finished, that figure is expected to rise dramatically, bringing challenges and opportunities for the country.”
China-Laos railway expected to be fully operational in 2021 – [22/06/18]
Main construction work of longest bridge along China-Laos railway completed – [16/06/18]
“Nam Khone super major bridge in Vientiane, Laos. China Railway No. 2 Engineering Group (CREC-2) has completed the main construction work of the longest bridge along the China-Laos railway which is also the longest-ever bridge in Laos. (Xinhua/Qin Xiaoming).”
[China-Laos railway under construction (03/06/18).]
[Railway construction near Luang Prabang (03/06/18).]
[Railway construction near Luang Prabang (03/06/18).]
[Luang Prabang station construction site (03/06/18).]
Chinese companies’ construction work advances rapidly as China-Laos railway takes shape – [03/04/18]
China-Laos railway cross-border tunnel construction proceeds smoothly – [01/04/18]
China’s Belt and Road rail project stirs discontent in Laos – [15/03/18]
“Belated compensation for over 4,000 affected families involves opaque assessments.”
Spotlight: China-Laos cooperation benefits both sides, contributes to community of shared future – [03/02/18]
2017
First tunnel bored on epic China-Laos railway – [15/12/17]
“Punching through clay and sandstone, contractors this week completed the first of many tunnels in mountainous Laos needed for the $5.8bn cross-country railway now being built there, financed by China.”
High-speed rail project will force thousands of Lao families to relocate – [22/11/17]
China-Laos railway project set to be completed in 2021, despite challenges – [14/11/17]
Laos merely a bystander as China pushes Belt and Road ambitions – [06/10/17]
“Costly China-led railway project offers questionable benefits to host.”
Chinese railway could put Laos on the tourist map – [22/08/17]
Land-locked Laos on track for controversial China rail link – [24/06/17]
“Work commences on long-planned railway project but broader benefits remain in question.”
China starts controversial Lao aril project – [08/03/17]
“Beijing hopes the track will form part of a larger transportation system, dubbed the Pan-Asian Railway, which one day may carry passengers and goods all the way from China to Singapore while critics say it will saddle Laos with crippling amounts of dept.”
Everything you need to know about the Laos-China Railway – [20/02/17]
Work on grand China-Laos railway kicks off, again – [06/01/17]
“The long-delayed $5.7bn project to build a railway from China through northern Laos officially began on 25 December, more than a year after the previous official groundbreaking ceremony.”
2016
Construction starts on China – Laos railway – [28/12/16]
“Ceremonies were held in the northern city of Luang Prabang on December 25 to mark the launch of construction of the 414·3 km rail link from the Chinese border to Vientiane.”
Contracts awarded for China – Laos railway – [15/09/16]
“China Railway Group (CRG) announced on September 8 that three of its subsidiaries have been awarded contracts with a total value of Yuan 8.1bn ($US 1.2bn) by Laos-China Railway Company to build three sections of a 414km standard-gauge line running south from China-Laos border at Boten to Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and the Laotian capital Vientiane.”
China, Laos say rail project to go ahead, pending environment study – [29/07/16]
Laos And China come to terms on loan interest rate for railway project – [04/01/16]
“Laos and China have reached an agreement on the interest rate for a U.S. $480 million loan to build the high-speed Lao-China railway, according to the Lao government official in charge of the multibillion-dollar project, although the figure has not been publicly disclosed.”
2015
China, Laos to build $6 billion railway by 2020 – [16/11/15]
“China aims to complete the long-awaited construction of a multibillion-dollar, high-speed rail project from southwestern China to Laos by 2020 as part of Beijing’s efforts to link itself to Southeast Asian markets, official sources confirmed over the weekend.”
China, Laos sign railway deal – [14/11/15]
Laos is on track with high-speed railway project – [17/07/15]
“Laos is on track with high-speed railway project: government’s decision to build the US$7 billion high-speed railway project, linking Vientiane to the Lao-China border in Luang Namtha province has not changed.”
Laos and China to set up joint company for high-speed railway – [05/06/15]
2014
China gives new pledge on Lao rail project – [06/10/14]
“China has given a new pledge to cash-starved Laos for the launch of a controversial railway project linking the two countries, although Lao officials say “many problems” must be ironed out, including financing.”
High speed rail could bankrupt Laos, but it’ll keep China happy – [07/04/14]
China’s 120mph railway arriving in Laos – [14/01/14]
“China’s mammoth engineering project to construct a railway from southwest China’s Yunnan Province all the way to Singapore is set to transform rural Laos.”
2013
Funding for Laos-China rail link hinges on Thai project – [17/07/13]
“Chinese authorities are waiting for Thailand to confirm that it will proceed with a high-speed rail project linking neighboring Laos before Beijing finalizes a loan for Laos to build an ambitious rail link with China, according to a Chinese diplomat. Thailand plans to build a 625-kilometer (388-mile) rail line between Bangkok and Thailand’s northeastern province of Nong Khai along the border with Laos.”
Laos may bear cost of planned Chinese railroad – [02/01/13]
2012
Ambitious rail plan opposed – [26/10/12]
“At least nine Lao MPs are against the Laos-China high-speed rail network.”
Laos says China to finance rail link – [24/10/12]
“A Laotian official said China has agreed to finance a $7 billion railway link in Laos that will ship raw materials to the Chinese border. There was no confirmation of the agreement from Chinese officials. The two countries have failed to reach a deal on the railway link for several years.”
Laos to go it alone – [19/10/12]
“The Laos-China rail project will go full steam ahead despite China’s withdrawal from the venture.”
2011
High-speed railway delay – [24/06/11]
“Construction of a Chinese-built high-speed railway in Laos has been put off at the last minute due to a contract dispute and an incomplete project assessment, according to an official from the country’s Public Works Bureau.”
7 billion dollars Laos-China high speed railway – [15/01/20]
“The construction of the 421km High-speed railway from the Laos-China border to Vientiane will begin as planned. Laos and China agreed that construction of the railway would begin in April 2011 to mark the 50th anniversary of Laos-China diplomatic relations and be completed within four years.”
2010
Laos-China railroad set for launch – [21/10/10]
“Laos is set to launch work on a key railway line to China that will help bolster the tiny Southeast Asian state’s underdeveloped infrastructure, but mainly benefit its giant neighbor.”
this is the official site: lcrc.ltd