After 3 nights in the capital, Vientiane, we’re on the move again today – it’s been a while after all!! We’re leaving Vientiane headed.for Luang Prabang. We’re taking the high speed train on the Laos China Railway a trip of 206kms that takes 2 hours.
Our train is at 1.30pm and is bound for Boten on the Laos China border. We arrive at 11.30am and the heat is searing. The station doesn’t open until 12pm we’re advised so we attempt to find shade whilst joining the queue.
The doors open promptly ar 12pm and as is the nature in SE Asia queue jumpers are rife. We keep our elbows out for anyone under 65 and show our tickets and passports. We put our bags through the scanner and escape the melee!!
The station is absolutely immaculate and there are more than ample seats for everyone. I spot a number of people with ice cream and take a wander to investigate. Much to Brownie’s or is it my delight I purchase two large Mr Whippy style ice creams for 50p.
We queue to board the train and find our seats. As we’re the only train departing the platform is virtually empty with everyone queuing at their respective carriage. This is nothing like London Bridge and feels weirdly sanitised. No one puts their feet on the seats and the toilets are clean. One day South Eastern trains might be like this.
The Laos-China Railway was inaugurated in December 2021 and has significantly improved travel between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. The high-speed trains operating at 160 km/h have reduced the journey time from approximately 10 hours by road – which by all accounts isnt great- to about 2 hours by train.
The Railway is a major infrastructure project connecting Kunming in Yunnan Province, China, to Vientiane. It is part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and aims to boost connectivity and trade between the two countries and the region. It’s total length is 1,035 km.
We arrive in Luang Prabang at a similarly spotless and enormous station.
We locate our driver, drop our bags off at our hotel and head to the Mekong river for a Beer Lao at sunset.
Buffalo Burger for dinner for me and a stir fry for Brownie before we take a wander through the Night Market which starts virtually at our hotel. We retire to bed and set the alarm for just before 5am as we want to watch the daily alms giving to the local monks.
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