China-Laos Railway launches new service for convenient northern travel

Passengers board the train C95 at Boten Station in Luang Namtha, Laos, Sept. 28, 2026. At 8:00 a.m. local time on Monday, train C95 departed smoothly from Boten Station in Laos, marking the successful launch of intercity train service between Boten and the Lao capital Vientiane on the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway. (Photo by Wang Yuping/Xinhua)

VIENTIANE, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- At 8:00 a.m. local time on Monday, train C95 departed smoothly from Boten Station in Laos, marking the successful launch of intercity train service between Boten and the Lao capital Vientiane on the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway.

According to Laos-China Railway Co. Ltd. (LCRC), the operator of the railway's Lao section, the newly launched C95/C96 intercity service provides an efficient and convenient travel link between Boten and Vientiane.

Train C95 departs from Boten Station at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at Vientiane Station at 11:47 a.m., while train C96 leaves Vientiane Station at 2:05 p.m. and arrives back at Boten Station at 6:32 p.m.

The service stops at six stations: Boten, Nateuy, Muang Xay, Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, and Vientiane. The new schedule allows residents of northern provinces to travel to the Lao capital, Vientiane, for commuting, business, and family visits, and return home on the same day.

According to the LCRC, the launch of this intercity service will further improve the passenger transport network on the Laos section of the railway, expand travel options for the Lao people, boost the development of cultural tourism industries along the route, and provide more robust transportation support for the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor and the joint development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

This photo taken on Sept. 28, 2026 shows the train C95 parked on a platform at Boten Station in Luang Namtha, Laos. At 8:00 a.m. local time on Monday, train C95 departed smoothly from Boten Station in Laos, marking the successful launch of intercity train service between Boten and the Lao capital Vientiane on the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway. (Photo by Wang Yuping/Xinhua)

A security guard and a railway attendant are pictured at Boten Station in Luang Namtha, Laos, Sept. 28, 2026. At 8:00 a.m. local time on Monday, train C95 departed smoothly from Boten Station in Laos, marking the successful launch of intercity train service between Boten and the Lao capital Vientiane on the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway. (Photo by Wang Yuping/Xinhua)

Passengers line up to check in at the entrance hall of Boten Station in Luang Namtha, Laos, Sept. 28, 2026. At 8:00 a.m. local time on Monday, train C95 departed smoothly from Boten Station in Laos, marking the successful launch of intercity train service between Boten and the Lao capital Vientiane on the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway. (Photo by Wang Yuping/Xinhua)

Passengers check in at the entrance hall of Boten Station in Luang Namtha, Laos, Sept. 28, 2026. At 8:00 a.m. local time on Monday, train C95 departed smoothly from Boten Station in Laos, marking the successful launch of intercity train service between Boten and the Lao capital Vientiane on the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway. (Photo by Wang Yuping/Xinhua)

A passenger and her child take the train C95 departing from Boten Station in Luang Namtha, Laos, Sept. 28, 2026. At 8:00 a.m. local time on Monday, train C95 departed smoothly from Boten Station in Laos, marking the successful launch of intercity train service between Boten and the Lao capital Vientiane on the Lao section of the China-Laos Railway. (Photo by Wang Yuping/Xinhua)