To highlight how simple the Bangkok to China rail journey can be — I travelled with little more than passport, wallet, phone, and clothes. No laptops, printed paper, or pre-arranged visas. I completed the journey in 48 hours, including a relaxed overnight stay in Vientiane.
I travelled solely with Thai baht and didn’t once take out or receive Lao Kip or Chinese Yuan. Instead, I booked the journey in advance and relied on my phone and phone apps to get me there (I share these apps below).
I should also point out that I am familiar with much of the journey from Bangkok to China by train— I live in Bangkok, have taken the overnight train to Laos, I’ve visited Vientiane a bunch of times, I’ve been to Kunming, and I’ve travelled on various high-speed trains in China before.
So this was more me testing the route, the immigration process at the Lao-China border, and I’ve just got too much time on my hands.
I was also in Kunming earlier this year checking out some of the main train lines and tourist attractions of Yunnan province. Shangri-La covered in snow was unexpected and a complete contrast to the relentless heats we’re used to in Bangkok. Yet it’s only a couple days to reach from Thailand by train.
I also set up an Instagram (10 years too late) to share my journey from Bangkok to Kunming by train and all my other adventures in China in real time. You can find it here. This article contains affiliate links.
Bangkok to China by Train (Best Route)
There may be alternative routes, but here I share what I consider to be the best route from Bangkok to China by rail. While there are potential stops along the way, this guide follows the most direct route from Bangkok to Kunming via Vientiane.
The journey starts with an overnight train from Bangkok (Krung Thep Aphiwat) to Vientiane Railway Station (Don Noun) via crossing the border at Nong Khai.
After an overnight stay in Vientiane, I take the early high-speed train from Vientiane to Kunming, passing through immigration at the Chinese border.
Many people choose to make stopovers along the line, including Vang Vieng (see our write-up here) and/or Luang Prabang (which to date has eluded us). Muang Xay, perhaps?However, for this journey, I’m happy to pass on through on the Laos-China Railway.
How long from Bangkok to China (Kunming) by train?
I left Bangkok at 8:00 PM and arrived two days later in Kunming at 8:00 PM with an overnight stop in Vientiane. That’s roughly 48 hours total although these is a 1-hour time difference between Thailand and China. Otherwise the basic travel time from Bangkok to China by train is:
- Bangkok to Vientiane: ~12 hours (including border procedures)
- Overnight Stay: 1 night in Vientiane
- Vientiane to Kunming: ~9 hours 30 mins via high-speed train
- Time Zone Difference: +1 hour in China compared to Thailand and Laos
Total duration is approximately 48 hours, including the overnight stay. For a more relaxed and enjoyable journey, however, I would consider optional stopovers at Vang Vieng (pictured below) and Luang Prabang.
VISA Requirements
All passports are different, so it’s best to check your specific visa requirements in advance.
I personally have dual citizenship (British/Irish), and these passports offer different entry allowances. For this journey, I used my Irish passport, as it allows a 30-day visa stay in China while the UK passport does not in 2025.
Both passports have the same eVisa or visa-on-arrival requirements for Laos, making that part of the journey relatively straightforward.
I share the immigration procedures at the respective borders in the journey details below..
Essential Travel Apps
I did rely heavily on apps, but I also booked everything seamlessly in advance and didn’t use local cash currencies during the entire journey—only Thai Baht. It’s best to download and set up these apps in advance, as booking often depends on them. I’ve listed them in the order you’ll likely need them during your journey from Bangkok to China by train.
- Trip.com: Like the Agoda for China for hotel bookings but also for booking trains and travel in China and a prepaid eSIM for arrival in China (this makes a big difference). You can also use the website version if preferred.
- LCR Ticket: The official booking app for the Laos-China Railway. Note, bookings are currently only available two weeks before departure and you may need a Thai or Lao SIM card to create an account. However some booking agents like 12Go.asia may offer advance bookings.
- Loca: The Uber of Laos. Ideal for getting around Vientiane, especially if you’re new to the city. I personally didn’t use it and arranged a taxi through the hotel to the Vientiane Railway Station. Public transport is also an option.
- Alipay: Digital payments have mostly replaced cash in China and Alipay is the preferred method. It also connects with other Apps, including Trip.com and DiDi rideshare so there’s little need for cash (although maybe still bring/withdraw some).
- WeChat: The Chinese version of WhatsApp. This comes in handy for contacting hotels and travel companies with easy English-Chinese translations. It can also be used for payments similar to Alipay.
- Google Translate (Needs VPN): if approaching anyone with queries or questions I’d always translate in advance to make the whole lost in translation thing much easier. There’s also a translation app on WeChat and Alipay.
- Amaps: The Chinese alternative to Google Maps. While Google Maps works with a VPN, it’s outdated, whereas Amaps is so accurate locally it literally counts down the traffic lights. It also connects through Trip.com for directions to hotels etc.
- DiDi Ride-hailing: The Chinese alternative to Uber. We were unable to use DiDi on our first visit (it required a local phone number when setting up in China). We otherwise set it up in Thailand before our 2nd visit and it made getting around a breeze.
Setting Up the Apps
While it’s possible to travel in China without apps, they make travel significantly easier. However, it’s necessary to set some up in advance, as you’ll need to link bank cards, verify phone numbers, and receive SMS messages for full functionality.
An example, from our first visit, we did not have DiDi installed and were unable to create an account without a Chinese phone number when in China. It is possible however to download the app outside China and set it up with a foreign number (at the time). On this instance we relied on metered taxis, and missed out on a couple opportunities without having the DiDi rideshare app.
The Essential eSim
See all those apps above? They’re all a bit useless without access when travelling. More importantly when arriving in China. Be sure to bring a power bank or two as well as there may not be charging options along the way. There are power sockets on overnight Thai trains, and first class trains in China have USB charging ports but not always 2nd class. I’m fairly sure there was no WiFi internet option on either train.
I personally have a SIM card for Thailand, so that was not an issue, and with just 24 hours in Laos I decided to forgo internet for a while. I managed to get by, but f needed you can get eSims for either on Klook or Trip.com.
Otherwise, an eSim for China is important, and each time I’ve used Trip.com. These eSims also have built-in VPN, so you can still access Google (for Google Translate) and your usual social media. Be sure to activate the eSims before arrival in China and usage doesn’t start until you access it within China. They’re silly cheap, so we go with a 100GB daily allowance which allows for media backups on Google Photos, etc.
Bangkok to Vientiane by Train
Travelling from Bangkok to Vientiane by train typically involves an overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Nong Khai. Trains leave the main Krung Thep Amphiwat station in Bangkok and take around 10–12 hours to the Nong Khai border. From Nong Khai, travellers cross the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge before forwarding to the Vientiane Railway station Don Nuon (around 20 minutes) for immigration entering Laos (previously it only travelled to Thanaleng Station). From there it’s a 25 minute taxi or a slightly longer minivan ride to Vientiane. We recommend 2nd Class Sleeper lower berth, which offers window views (although not so much scenery when travelling at night). Bookings are made on D Ticket (the official State Railway of Thailand website). Starting station: Krung Thep Aphiwat
Train from Bangkok to Vientiane
It is best to book the Bangkok to Vientiane train in advance and ideally before booking the Vientiane to Kunming train as the latter can only be booked 2 weeks prior to departure. I actually waited until after and found the direct trains from Bangkok to Vientiane to be fully booked. Fortunately it is simple to switch to the earlier Nong Khai train and follow the same line from there.
There are also benefits of the earlier Nong Khai train as the train is cleaner and more comfortable and both trains disembark at the Nong Khai border crossing to clear immigration. By taking the earlier train however you can also grab breakfast and queue up for immigration before the direct Bangkok to Vientiane train arrives. From Nong Khai there will then be lots of free seats on the 3rd class bogies on the direct Bangkok to Vientiane for the remainder of the journey. Tickets silly cheap at 35 Baht in 2025.
Crossing the Border at Nong Khai Thailand
After passing immigration on the Thai side (quick biometrics check and stamp out), the train crosses Friendship Bridge and takes roughly 35 minutes in total to reach the new Vientiane Railway Station (Don Noun). This is the same departure station for the Laos – China Railway which will be the same departure terminal for the train from Vientiane to Kunming the following day. I’d be back again the next morning. (Note, previously it only travelled to Thanaleng Station)
VISA for Laos
It is possible to get an eVisa for Laos (official website here). However I left it too late (apply 2-3 days before travel is advises) and I opted instead for Visa on Arrival.
Again this may have proved the better option (bar the bad exchange when paying in Thai baht) as the queues for normal arrivals were huge with Thai, Laos, Foreigners and just normal arrivals). Whereas there was only a handful in the Visa on Arrival line queue. Either way everyone must fill arrival/departure cards which are available on arrival at the Vientiane Railway Station (Don Noun).
Onward Travel to Vientiane Laos
It’s a good 20–30 minute drive from Vientiane Railway Station (Don Noun) to the centre of Laos. It is easy to find taxis for onward travel but they are expensive and so I take the minibus for around 35 Baht. Fortunately, almost everywhere in Vientiane accepts Thai baht.
This is where things can be a little tricky without a phone with data connection and I regret not saving a map to the hotel (I may rely too much on apps). There are taxis and tuktuks but I don’t trust anything without meters. Instead I asked directions to the riverside and by some fluke I found my hotel which I knew was at least near Nam Phlu. Vientiane is a fairly small and simple city to navigate on foot (our guide here).
Vientiane to Kunming by Train
The Vientiane to Kunming train connects Laos and China via the China-Laos Railway. Departing from Vientiane Railway Station Don Noun and arriving at Kunming South Railway Station (Kunmingnan). It takes around 9hrs 30 mins covering about 1,035 km. Trains run daily with both second-class and first-class seats available. Tickets can be booked online using the LCR ticket app, through booking agents, or at stations.
Getting to Vientiane Railway Station?
There are cheaper ways to travel to the Vientiane railway station, but the train leaves at 8:00 AM, and I wasn’t going to risk missing it. I therefore opted for a taxi booked through the hotel which cost 300,000 kip (450 baht). Expensive but the pre-booking option with the Loca app (rideshare) was 260,000 kip (390 baht) so I chose the safer option through the hotel. They also accepted card payment up front meaning no need for kip through my entire stay in Laos.
I may have been overly cautious here for the Vientiane to Kunming train, partly because the roads were torn up at the time, and the hotel said delays were expected. They recommended leaving at 6:30AM for the 8AM departure to give myself time to get my paper tickets. (Note, normally a passport is only needed for boarding trains in China).
In the end I arrived to Vientiane Railway Station in 25 minutes, had received my paper ticket from the ticket office, and was already through security by 7:05AM. The train to China doesn’t board until 7:35AM and it leaves at 8:00AM. A 7:00AM start would have been fine, but early is better than late.
With the long journey ahead, I opted for 1st class, which isn’t a huge mark-up in price or comfort when it comes to Chinese trains. I found myself on the train on the left side, which has the best scenery when passing Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, etc. but I was riding backwards. Maybe double check this on booking (something I obviously missed).
The train was fairly empty until Luang Prabang, then it quickly became full as Luang Prabang seems to be a popular destination for Chinese holidaymakers.
Boten Border Crossing (Laos/China)
Our baggage was checked when boarding the train, as it is at every stop, so I was hoping to leave baggage on the train while we hopped off at immigration (similar to the Thailand–Laos border).
Nope. You must disembark with luggage at the Lao side of the Boten border and go through security before the passport check. You then bounce back on the train, and it’s a short stretch to reach the Chinese checkpoint at Mohan.
Immigration and VISAs for China
I travelled on an Irish passport which, like many others now, gives 30-day visa free travel in China (like Thailand). The alternative with my UK passport allows a 14-day transit visa but you will need to forward to a 3rd destination and entry may not be allowed at this border.
I did trial my British passport last month flying to Shanghai for 5 days as a transit stop, before continuing onward to Hong Kong. It works but there are restrictions in travel and for certain borders. Otherwise advance visa application maybe needed for many other passports.
China Immigration at MoHan
Laos and China are connected by a 10 km tunnel (Friendship Tunnel) and after about 15 minutes we reach the China side where we disembark with our bags again to be checked at customs again.
Fortunately, we were handed arrival cards just after leaving Vientiane (or wherever you board) so there’s plenty of time en route to fill it in. This makes things fairly quick and simple at immigration, where the international traveller queue is relatively small again compared to Chinese/Lao travellers
It takes roughly 20 minutes to clear immigration and we’re ready to board again.
Mohan to Kunming
Hop back on the train and it’s roughly 4 hours 30 mins to Kunming. The rest is fairly simple now with the prepaid eSim. At least there’s no more borders to cross and it’s a straight line to China. Bangkok to China by train complete.
There are fewer passengers on the approach to Kunming, so I switched seats without an issue, which I kind of needed as a stereotype which we thankfully didn’t meet in the last two visits to China ended up sitting beside me
The guy next to me had been sneaking off for smokes at every stop, he slurped noodles like a cartoon character, and kept sucking his teeth afterwards. He hocked up so many loogies he was asking for extra sick bags.
Arrival at Kunming South Station (Kunmingnan)
Tickets show as Kunmingnan which is just the name for the Kunming South Station (Nan means south). This is also where the apps I recommend come in handy starting with Alipay for QR payments that are now as widely used as cash. WeChat can also be used for payments but I used it more for contacting hotels. It’s always a good backup otherwise.
These two payment systems also connect with DiDi car hailing for onward travel. Car hailing is cheap in China but the metro is cheaper and using the Metro Man app it is easy to find the nearest station to hotels and attractions, and then follow Amaps, like with Google Maps, for the rest of the way.
Learn these apps and travel in China is a breeze.
Kunming, Yunnan, and Beyond
It is possible to jump on high-speed trains from Kunming to near anywhere in China. There are obviously the big tourist cities like Beijing (10h40m), Shanghai (12h7m), Xian (10h54m), even Hong Kong (7h44m). But this barely scratches the surface, with the Harbin Ice Festival on my future plans (5 hours from Beijing).
I also looked at Tibet (Lhasa) and the Himalayas, but they are yet to be connected by high-speed train. However, the Sichuan-Tibet line is under construction and will cut travel times from Chengdu from 48 hours to 13 hours. These trains really are awesome.
Otherwise, my personal interest is in exploring the surrounding Yunnan region for now and the neighbouring provinces with trains out of Kunming. Plus, I’ve already been to the big tourist cities listed above.
For the longer distances, I would recommend 1st class seats, as prices are not hugely different but the added comfort is worthwhile. Train bookings easily made through trip.com.
Here we also share our original 7 Day itinerary in Yunnan province. Another couple of nearby attractions that I didn’t include are Guiyang (2h26m) and Dali (1h52m). Note, I’m using the current shortest travel duration from Kunming.
Kunming (Capital of Yunnan)
I always say that Kunming is the gateway to Yunnan and is a great base for travel in the region. But it is also an amazing city in itself and I regret seeing it mostly in passing.
This was no different on this train journey from Bangkok to China when I stayed next to Kunming South Railway Station (Kunmingnan) for the night before an early train to Chengdu the next morning. At the same time, we have stayed in different and contrasting areas of Kunming during our short stays.
The first visit we stayed in the Green Lake area with hotel views over the park. A simple relaxed stay with nice walks in the nearby temples and park.
Then it was Nanjing Pedestrian Street (below), a modern vibrant commercial district just a short walk from the lively Kunming Old Street, a hub for great food and restaurants.
I’m sure there’s a lot more to it but otherwise, it has been a great base for travel and I always look forward to getting back.
Guilin and Yangshuo (4 hours)
Of this list, we haven’t been to Guilin or Yangshuo, so here are some free stock images and an AI-generated quick guide in the tone of a stoned backpacker. Enjoy:
Took the high-speed train into Guilin, a laid-back city surrounded by surreal karst peaks. Grab Guilin rice noodles, stroll the riverside, and catch some tai chi in the parks.
But the real magic’s in Yangshuo, about 1.5–2 hours away by bus or van. The journey winds through jaw-dropping limestone mountains and into pure backpacker bliss. Yangshuo is made for wandering—bike through rice fields, float down the Yulong River on a bamboo raft, or hike Moon Hill for killer views.
Lijiang (4 hours)
Lijiang Old Town (UNESCO) is a labyrinth of cobbled lanes, traditional rooftops, and mountain views in the distance. It is a tad touristy these these days, the old buildings reimagined with modern shops selling snacks, and souvenirs, as well as costume shops for photo ops in traditional garb). Plenty of local food of course including the region’s famous yak meat hot pot.
Lijiang Old Town is otherwise the perfect base to explore the surrounding scenery where the main highlight would be the cable cars to Yulong Snow Mountain (Yunshanping Cableway). This takes you right up to the snowy peaks where they have a daily impressive outdoor performance (the Impressions of Lijiang) set against the glacier backdrop.
Shangri La (5-6 hours)
This route can be covered by direct train from Kunming or hopping through Lijiang as a waypoint (1–2 hours) as we did. We also arrived to snow as this Tibetan region of Yunnan is high in the mountains at 3,000m. The best base in Shangri-La would be Dukezong Ancient Town, a charming, rustic maze of Tibetan alleyways, temples, and old homes beneath Guishan Temple and a massive prayer wheel.
A tour of Balagezong Scenic Area is recommended (we missed out due to weather) but there is otherwise lots to explore nearby, including the famous Ganden Sumtseling Monastery—Shangri-La’s main attraction. Another more rural area is the serene Napa Lake Grasslands, with peaceful views, and herds of local cattle and wildlife. We stayed in each of the 3 different areas here (Balagezong, Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, and Napa Lake) and it’s easy to get around with Didi rideshare.
Chongqing (5-6 hours)
Fun fact: With a population of 32 million, Chongqing is the largest city in the world at administrative level—six times Bangkok. It is a former capital of Sichuan province, and it’s home to original Sichuan hot pot, but is no longer part of Sichuan itself after separating in 1997. This was partly due to resettlement during the development of the “3 Gorges Dam”—a huge tourist draw in the region.
Chongqing has an almost constant haze (aka the “Foggy City”) due to humidity from the Yangtze River and surrounding mountains. It is also famous for cyberpunk vibes, with corporate skyscrapers towering over labyrinths of high-rise tenements and ancient temples. There’s skywalks connecting apartment blocks, monorails going through residential buildings, and streets constantly buzzing with electric vehicles. Check out Hongya Cave, the Yangtze River Cableway, and of course its food.
Chengdu (6-7 hours)
Panda, panda, panda. Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is the 4th largest city in China with a whopping 21 million (not far behind Shanghai and Beijing in 2nd and 3rd). Unlike the hazy atmosphere in Chongqing, Chengdu has a more green and vibrant feel with greenways and cycle lanes throughout the urban city centre. It has a relaxed and laid-back vibe compared to China’s other metropolises, which is in fitting with their famous residents—Chengdu’s Giant Pandas.
I don’t think you can stand anywhere in Chengdu without seeing a panda (we tried and failed). And if you do, a panda bus will likely drive past. They are everywhere. To see the real thing though, you can go to the Chengdu Panda Research Base or take a train to Dujiangyan for the Dujiangyan Panda Base (we did both).
Otherwise, Chengdu is all about mala, the spicy blend of chillies and Sichuan peppercorns that made Sichuan food famous and Chengdu the first UNESCO City of Gastronomy in Asia (2nd in the world).
