开通运营四周年之际，人民日报记者实地探访——

Core Insights - The China-Laos Railway has become a flagship project for mutual cooperation between China and Laos, facilitating over 62.5 million passengers and transporting over 72.5 million tons of goods since its opening in December 2021, significantly enhancing regional economic and social development [1] Group 1: Operational Impact - The railway has drastically reduced travel times, with trips from Vientiane to Luang Prabang now taking less than 2 hours compared to 6-8 hours by road previously [2] - The railway has integrated into the daily lives of Laotians, becoming a vital transportation option for both locals and tourists [2][3] Group 2: Tourism Growth - The peak tourist season from November to April sees nearly full occupancy on passenger trains, with 336.9 million foreign tourists visiting Laos in the first three quarters of this year, a 15% increase from the previous year [4] - 87% of tourists visiting Luang Prabang now choose to travel by train, highlighting the railway's role in boosting tourism and regional connectivity [4] Group 3: Emergency Services and Community Support - The railway serves as a critical channel for emergency medical transport and supplies, having facilitated hundreds of urgent medical transfers and disaster responses over the past four years [7][12] - Local staff, including train conductors and maintenance workers, are being trained to ensure the railway's operational safety and efficiency, with a focus on developing local talent [10][11] Group 4: Future Development and Cooperation - The railway is set to enhance regional tourism cooperation and cross-border travel policies, with plans to establish multilingual service centers at major stations [5] - The ongoing development of the railway aims to transform Laos into a key hub for regional and international trade, logistics, and tourism, fostering deeper ties between China and Laos [12][19]