The first cross-border passenger train service between Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, and Kunming, the capital city of China’s Yunnan province, launched on the China-Laos Railway on Thursday, April 13. Over 200 Chinese tourists are expected to arrive in Laos on the service. As the railway infrastructure facilitates travel between the two countries, Lao tourism authorities estimate that around 368,000 Chinese travellers will visit Laos this year, up 21% from 2022. Tourism has been identified as a key sector to bolster the Lao economy, and the Laotian population has expressed their appreciation and readiness to welcome Chinese tourists. Since the China-Laos Railway became operational in December 2021, it has already seen an increasing demand for its services.