Boten–Vientiane railway - Wikipedia 01/09/22, 3:53 AM

Boten–Vientiane railway
The Boten–Vientiane railway, is a Lao section of the China–Laos
railway, running between the capital Vientiane and the northern Boten–Vientiane railway
town of Boten on the border with Yunnan, China. The line was
officially opened on 3 December 2021.[9]

A collaboration 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 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,[10] and was constructed as part of the Belt and Road Initiative A CR200J-train at Vang Vieng station
(BRI).[11][12]
Overview
Other China–Laos railway
name(s) Laos section of the
Contents Kunming–Singapore
History railway
Planning Laos higher-speed rail
Construction and completion (Laos HSR)

Future expansion Native name ທາງລ%ດໄຟບ*ເຕ-ນ-

ນະຄອນ2ວງວຽງຈ-ນ / ລ%ດໄຟ
Financing
ລາວ ຈ6ນ (Lao)
Ridership 磨万铁路 / 中⽼鐵路⽼撾
Infrastructure 段 (Chinese)
Rolling stock Status Operational
Cargo
Owner Laos–China Railway
List of stations
Company Limited
Ticket prices
Locale Laos
See also
Termini Boten
References
Vientiane South (Cargo)
External links
Continues Yuxi–Mohan railway
from
History Continues as Northeastern Line
(current)
Bangkok–Nong Khai
Planning high-speed railway (under
construction)
Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, which gives it a
Stations 20
competitive disadvantage in trade.[13] During the French rule, the
French failed to materialize a possible plan to build a railway in Laos, Service
with only the 7 km Don Det–Don Khon railway being completed.[14] A Type Higher-speed rail[1]
railway link through Laos would greatly reduce cargo transit times and
Inter-city rail
transportation costs between Laos and China.[13]

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The first talks about the railway linking Laos and China began in 2001, Freight rail
with Laotian and Chinese politicians both having confirmed the plans
Operator(s) China Railway Kunming
in 2009. Lao politician of Chinese descent Somsavat Lengsavad was
reportedly the driving force behind the project on the Laotian side. Group[2]
The project initially stalled in the wake of the corruption scandal of Rolling stock CR200J, HXD3C
China's minister of railways Liu Zhijun in 2011, but negotiations Daily 1,000–2,600[3]
continued and by 2015 a revised plan was agreed upon in which both
ridership
countries would jointly finance and operate the railway under a build-
operate-transfer arrangement.[15] Construction work worth US$1.2 History
billion was awarded to the China Railway Group in September Commenced 25 December 2016[4]
2015.[15]
Opened 3 December 2021[5][6]
Completed 12 October 2021[7]
Construction and completion Technical

Construction began at Luang Prabang on 25 December 2016.[16] At the Line length 422[8] km (262 mi)

end of 2017, the construction phase was 20% completed,[17] and in Number of 1
September 2019 progress was reported as 80% completed.[18] tracks
Unexploded bombs that have been dropped during the Vietnam War Character Elevated
would also be removed along the route.[19]
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in)
As of June 2020, Chinese state media reported that the US$6 billion standard gauge
project was 90% done. Work crews started laying track in Laos in Electrification 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
March 2020, five years after breaking ground. With all of the many line
dozen tunnels and bridges completed, cargo service was scheduled to
Operating 210 kilometres per hour
start from December 2021.[20] In April 2021 the northernmost section
in Luang Namtha Province was 97% complete. Track laying of the last speed (130 mph) (design)
started section in Oudomxay Province, would be completed in May, 160 kilometres per hour
leaving the project well on track for a 2021 opening.[21] Track-laying (99 mph) (service)
was officially completed on 12 October 2021.[7] The first EMU was 120 kilometres per hour
delivered to Vientiane on 16 October 2021, and the line opened on 3 (75 mph) (cargo)[4]
December 2021, a day after the 46th anniversary of the Lao PDR.[9][6] Route map

The railway is expected to boost tourism, with passenger traffic to

account for the majority of traffic on the line.[12][22] The Thai province
Yuxi–Mohan railway (China)
of Nong Khai is also expected to gain more visitors through the
railway, as well as fruit exports from Thailand to China benefiting Boten
Nateuy
from reduced transportation costs.[23]
Na Moh
Na Thong
Future expansion Muang Xay
Na Khok
Since the line uses a different rail gauge from the existing Thai Mueang Nga
Northeastern Line link from Bangkok to Thanaleng, running into Huay Han
Thailand is not yet possible. However, the Vientiane end of the line Luang Prabang
will eventually cross the Mekong River on a new bridge to meet up Xieng Ngeun
with the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway once its completed, Sala Phu Khun
making the connection.[24] Mueang Kasi
Ban Pha Daeng
Financing Vang Vieng
Vang Khi
The cost of the project is estimated at US$5.965 billion[25] or RMB Phonhong
37.425 billion.[26] The railway is funded by 60% of debt financing Ban Saka
($3.6 billion) from the Export-Import Bank of China and the Vientiane North

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remaining 40% ($2.4 billion) is funded by a joint venture company Vientiane

between the two countries. China holds 70% of the stake of the Vientiane South
company. Of the rest of the stake, Lao government disburses $250
million from its national budget and borrows $480 million further Thanaleng
from the Export-Import Bank of China.[27] It is the most expensive Northeast railway (Thailand)
and largest project to be constructed in Laos as of 2021.[28]

The cost of the railway has contributed to a US$480 million increase in Lao
debt to the Chinese Export Import Bank. Western publications subsequently
claimed that Laos could end up falling into a default on its debts.[29][27][30]
In 2019, the Australian think-tank Lowy Institute estimated Laos' debt to
China at 45 per cent of its GDP.[29] In 2020, American credit agency Fitch
Ratings assigned Laos a 'CCC' credit rating, stating that the country has
"excessive debt".[28]

Ridership Vientiane Station

The Boten–Vientiane railway (also known as China-Laos Railway) has

transported over 1 million passengers and 500,000 tonnes of cargo since it was launched in December 2021,
according to the transport authorities of southwest China's Yunnan Province.[31]

Infrastructure
47% of the railway is spanned over 75 tunnels and 15% is set on viaducts
spread over 167 bridges.[15][16] Vientiane railway station, the largest station
on the railway, is situated in Xay Village in Xaythany District and consists of
four platforms with seven track lines and two additional platforms with
three lines reserved; it is expected to connect with other railway lines
planned for Laos. The station can accommodate up to 2,500 passengers
with a total area of 14,543 square metres.[32]

The railway is built on a single track with passing loops and is electrified to
China's Class I trunk railway standards, suitable for 160 km/h passenger Bridge construction in Luang
and 120 km/h freight trains, making Laos the first country to connect to the Prabang Province
Chinese railway network using Chinese technology.[22]

Rolling stock
Passenger services employ CR200J trainsets, and for freight hauling,
HXD3CA locomotives are used.[33][34][35]

Cargo
Viaduct under construction near
On 4 December 2021, a day after opening the China–Laos railway, the Vientiane.
Vientiane Logistics Park, one of a total of nine logistics centres in Laos, was
officially opened by Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh at Thanaleng.[36]

List of stations

32 stations are planned along the line,[37] of which 21 stations were initially constructed including 10 passenger
stations and 11 cargo stations:[38][39][40]

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Station name Type

Boten Passenger station

Na Teuy Passenger station - Major station

Na Moh Passenger station

Na Thong Cargo station

Muang Xai Passenger station - Major station

Na Khok Cargo station

Muang Nga Passenger station

Huoay Han Cargo station

Luang Prabang Passenger station - Major station

Xiang Ngoen Cargo station

Phou Khoun Cargo station

Kasi Passenger station

Pha Daeng Cargo station

Vang Vieng Passenger station - Major station

Vang Khi Cargo station

Muang Phôn-Hông Passenger station

Phon Soung Cargo station

Vientiane North Cargo station

Vientiane Passenger station - Major station

Vientiane South Cargo station

Ticket prices
Fares (Green：Second Class, Red：First Class, Unit：RMB/KIP):

294/529,000 246/443,000 174/313,000 91/164,000 48/86,000 Vientiane

248/446,000 200/360,000 128/230,000 44/79,000 Muang Phôn-Hông 31/56,000

206/371,000 158/284,000 86/155,000 Vang Vieng 29/52,000 57/103,000

122/220,000 74/133,000 Luang Prabang 54/97,000 81/146,000 110/198,000

50/90,000 Muang Xay 47/85,000 99/178,000 126/227,000 155/279,000

Boten 32/58,000 77/139,000 129/232,000 156/281,000 185/333,000

Hard seat fare (Unit：RMB/KIP):

132/238,000 110/198,000 78/140,000 41/74,000 22/40,000 Vientiane

111/200,000 90/162,000 58/104,000 21/38,000 Muang Phôn-Hông

93/167,000 71/128,000 39/70,000 Vang Vieng

55/99,000 34/61,000 Luang Prabang

23/41,000 Muang Xay

Boten

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[41]

See also
Rail transport in Laos
Vientiane–Boten Expressway
Railway stations in Laos
China–Laos relations

References
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13. "How Laos is overcoming landlockedness and bolstering growth" (https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/03/0
5/how-laos-is-overcoming-landlockedness-and-bolstering-growth/). East Asia Forum. 2021-03-05. Retrieved
2021-05-02.
14. Freeman, Nick (2019-12-11). "Laos' high-speed railway coming round the bend" (http://www.thinkchina.sg/la
os-high-speed-railway-coming-round-bend). ThinkChina - Big reads, Opinion & Columns on China.
Retrieved 2020-11-05.
15. "Land-locked Laos on track for controversial China rail link" (https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Intern
ational-Relations/Land-locked-Laos-on-track-for-controversial-China-rail-link). Nikkei Asian Review. 24 June
2017.
16. "Everything You Need to Know About the Laos–China Railway" (https://laotiantimes.com/2017/02/20/everyt
hing-you-need-to-know-laos-china-railway/). The Laotian Times. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
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0612015748/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30338175). The Nation. 7 February
2018. Archived from the original (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30338175) on 2019-
06-12.
18. "Nearly 80 pct of China–Laos railway construction completed" (https://web.archive.org/web/2019092404524
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18. "Nearly 80 pct of China–Laos railway construction completed" (https://web.archive.org/web/2019092404524

4/http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-09/22/c_138412982.htm). Xinhua News Agency. 22 September
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21. "ການກ*ສ9າງພ;ນຖານໂຄງສ9າງທາງລ%ດໄຟ ລາວ-ຈ6ນ ໄລຍະທາງຜ@ານແຂວງ2ວງນCDທາ ສEDເລ-ດແລ9ວ 97%" (https://targetlaos.com/arti
cle/58835) [Construction of Lao-China Railway Infrastructure via Luang Namtha Province Completed 97%].
Target Magazine (in Lao). Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20210504092730/https://targetlaos.com/art
icle/58835) from the original on 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2021-05-04.
22. Brian King. "Chinese railway could put Laos on the tourist map" (https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/could-chi
na-put-laos-on-the-tourist-map/index.html). CNN. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
23. "Laos' China-backed railway: hopes in Thailand, fears in Luang Prabang" (https://www.scmp.com/week-asia
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24. "Calls to speed up link to Laos-China line" (https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2224707/calls-to-speed-
up-link-to-laos-china-line). Bangkok Post.
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26. "中⽼铁路-新建铁路磨丁⾄万象线站房及相关⼯程施⼯总价承包中标结果 - 路桥资讯-桥梁要闻、会展报告、
路桥政策-中国桥梁⽹ -" (http://www.cnbridge.cn/html/2020/news_0324/189487.html).
27. "Can Laos profit from China rail link despite being US$1.5 billion in debt?" (https://www.scmp.com/week-asi
a/opinion/article/3041394/can-laos-profit-china-rail-link-despite-being-us15-billion-debt). South China
Morning Post. 10 December 2019.
28. "China's debt-trap diplomacy: Laos' credit rating downgraded to CCC" (https://www.thailand-business-news.
com/asean/laos/81409-chinas-debt-trap-diplomacy-laos-credit-rating-downgraded-to-ccc.html). Thailand
Business News. 2 November 2020.
29. "Laos Stumbles Under Rising Chinese Debt Burden" (https://thediplomat.com/2020/09/laos-stumbles-under-
rising-chinese-debt-burden/). The Diplomat. 7 September 2020.
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s-china-laos-exclusive-idINKBN25V14C). Reuters. 4 September 2020.
31. "China-Laos Railway transports over one million passengers since launch" (https://www.thestar.com.my/ase
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32. Phonevilay, Latsamy (4 July 2020). "Construction of Vientiane Station Commences on Laos–China Railway"
(https://laotiantimes.com/2020/07/04/construction-of-vientiane-station-commences-on-laos-china-railway/).
The Laotian Times. Retrieved 6 July 2020.
33. "รบ.ลาว&ง(อรถไฟ "-าน/าง-แคนลาว" ขบวนแรก4ามจาก7น8ง9อเ;น 14 ต.ค." (https://mgronline.com/indochina/
detail/9640000101634) mgronline.com (in Thai). 13 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
34. "Công ty Đường sắt Lào Trung mua hai đoàn tàu CR200J của Trung Quốc" (https://tapchilaoviet.org/tin-bai-
noi-bat/cong-ty-duong-sat-lao-trung-mua-hai-doan-tau-cr200j-cua-trung-quoc-21597.html). tapchilaoviet.org
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600.html). www.jiemian.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 2021-07-02.
36. The Ambassador of Timor-Leste in Vientiane: Thanaleng Dry Port International Border Checkpoints was
officially inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Phankham Viphavanh, Prime Minister of Laos. Thanaleng Dry Port is
located at prime location with an extensive area of 382 hectares, and granted the exclusive privilege by the
Lao government, as a flagship to drive the national logistics strategy to transform Laos from a landlocked
into a land linked country. Thanaleng and Vientiane Logistic Park project is one of the 9 Dry ports in Laos.,
4. December 2021 (https://www.facebook.com/rdtlembvientiane/posts/417551956682048), abgerufen am 4.
Dezember 2021.
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anet.com/world/2018-03/28/c_129839102.htm). 28 March 2018. Archived from the original (http://www.xinhu
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anet.com/world/2018-03/28/c_129839102.htm) on March 31, 2018.

38. "集团公司党委书记、董事⻓张建喜出席中⽼铁路站房及相关⼯程施⼯合同签约仪式－公共建筑－中国中铁建
⼯集团" (http://www.crceg.com/tabid/245/InfoID/6757/frtid/140/Default.aspx). 14 April 2020.
39. "中⽼铁路-新建铁路磨丁⾄万象线站房及相关⼯程施⼯总价承包中标结果 - 路桥资讯-桥梁要闻、会展报告、
路桥政策-中国桥梁⽹" (http://www.cnbridge.cn/html/2020/news_0324/189487.html). 24 March 2020.
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0511T04N.html). 18 December 2019.
41. "普客票价全程仅需132元|中⽼铁路⽼挝段客货运票价公布" (https://m.gmw.cn/baijia/2021-12/01/1302701895
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External links
Laos–China Railway Co., Ltd. (http://www.lcrc.ltd/) – a joint venture between Laos and China to build and
operate the railway.
Boten–Vientiane railway on OpenStreetMap (https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/7750061)
Boten–Vientiane railway on Google Maps (https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=12kMu3ufc913F41
gSkuM2UKpRnaoCA4Uq)
Full construction details superimposed on a satellite map by Design for Conservation (https://www.designfor
conservation.org/map-northernlaos)

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