An artist performs Sichuan Opera face-changing aboard the China-Laos Railway's D87 train on January 14, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Chen Fei
"This galloping train of friendship carries our hopes for a joyful future..." The melodies resonated throughout the D87 train, which had transformed into a stage for a cross-border Spring Festival gala on The China-Laos Railway, providing passengers from around the world with a chance to experience the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year.
More than 50 programs, including singing, dancing, magic shows and acrobatics, were performed in a train carriage on Tuesday. The event lasted more than four hours.
To match the rhythm of the moving train, the programs were organized into distinct sections, including Yuxi and Xishuangbanna segments.
As the train arrived in various cities along The China-Laos Railway, local artists showcased performances that highlighted the unique cultural characteristics of each place for passengers.
Chen Yinglin, conductor of the D87 train, confirmed that this was the first-ever cross-border Spring Festival gala held since the opening of The China-Laos Railway and also the first part of the "One River, One Family" Spring Festival Cultural Exchanges in Laos and Thailand program that is scheduled to last to Saturday.
Chen told the Global Times that the event added a unique cultural flavor to the Spring Festival travel experience for domestic and international passengers, and allowed the essence of Chinese New Year culture to reach beyond borders via The China-Laos Railway.
An artist performs Dai ethnic dance aboard the China-Laos Railway's D87 train on January 14, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of Chen Fei
Wang Dan, a resident from Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province, was immersed in the festive atmosphere the moment she boarded the train due to the vibrant red paper-cutting works and auspicious window decorations. Noticing the crew members were all wearing red scarves, "it immediately felt like the Spring Festival season had arrived," she said.
While watching the gala, Lao tour guide Soulideth remarked, "Enjoying musical and magic performances on a train is a completely new experience for me. This China-Laos Railway tour has become even more thrilling."
As China's annual Spring Festival travel rush begins, overseas Chinese are hurrying back to their hometowns to celebrate the Chinese New Year, while Southeast Asian students in China are returning to their home countries for winter vacation. Additionally, families and groups traveling across the border between China and Southeast Asia are on the rise. According to the China Railway Kunming Group, which oversees the China-Laos Railway, all of these factors are fueling the surge in travel along this route.
Wang was among the tourists visiting Laos for the first time, drawn by a fair where she will showcase the intangible cultural heritage of Xishuangbanna. She eagerly anticipated this trip, viewing it as an opportunity to engage with Lao folk customs.
Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration, noted that galas on trains and various activities themed around the Chinese New Year held in Southeast Asian countries can play a significant role in promoting cultural exchanges with Southeast Asia, which has cultural affinity with China, and highlighting the significance of the Spring Festival to a broader international audience.