Complex landscape

Work on the power supply, which began in December 2019, faced many challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the complex terrain, as the line passes over numerous rivers and through mountains and forests.

Phetsalath once visited a construction site for the line deep in a mountain. "Even Laotians seldom go there. The roads were bumpy and we passed through forests," she said.

"Laotian and Chinese workers lived in the mountain, and they had to wear face masks all day in humid conditions. When it rained, their faces poured with sweat, and they found it hard to open their eyes."

With work proceeding day and night, the power supply project was completed in March. Phetsalath and her colleagues recently analyzed and assessed risks to guarantee a stable power supply for the rail service.

Phetsalath likes to buy daily necessities for her family on the Taobao e-commerce platform, a habit she formed when she studied in China.

"It takes a long time to transport goods from China to Laos. After the line opens, we won't need to wait so long," she said.

Yunnan is the only Chinese province bordering Laos. The line will link major attractions in Yunnan, including geological parks, natural relics, mountains and rainforests. It will also serve well-known scenic spots in Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane in Laos, meeting demand from tourists seeking a novel cross-border rail travel experience.

Passengers will also witness ethnic minorities' customs and culture.

Some 200 media representatives boarded the bullet train on Nov 26 for a trial run from Kunming to Mohan.

Liu Haijun, 26, a media worker in Kunming, said the train departed at 8:41 am and arrived in Mohan at 2:48 pm. "The journey was so smooth that I was able to get a coin to stand on edge for five seconds," Liu said.

He added that every detail has been considered carefully－from the food and cushions to staff members' uniforms. The uniforms adopt peacock blue as the dominant hue, while patterns on the collars, cuffs and waists use the peony, a traditional Chinese flower, and the plumeria, the national flower of Laos. The camellia, one of the "Eight Famous Flowers of Yunnan", is used for the shirts and dresses.

A range of Southeast Asian cuisine is available on the new service, including roast chicken with herbs, baked pork, pineapple rice, and beef with sour bamboo shoots. Chinese and Laotian creative and cultural products are also on sale.

Viengxay Phoudthavong, a Laotian student in Kunming, who shares stories of his life in China on social media, welcomed the fact that most workers on the service can speak Laotian, and the menu is written in Chinese, English and Laotian.

"The service will greatly shorten travel time between Kunming and my home. It is much more convenient, which will be good for transportation and tourism in Laos," he said, adding that he shot a video and conducted a livestream broadcast on the train to share with netizens in Laos.

"The experience I had today helped me witness the results of China and Laos helping and benefiting each other. This will bring happiness to people from both countries," Phoudthavong said.

Another reporter, Tan Minxu, who works in Kunming for a media outlet based in Hong Kong, said she had no worries using her computer on the train, as charging points are provided.

"The service is also comfortable and saves time. The route is also good. I plan to take my family to Pu'er and Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture by train to escape the cold during winter," she added.