Yunnan-Vietnam Railway in Honghe

Introduction

In the southern part of Yunnan, a special railway lies in the mountains. It is special due to the history: it was built during 1903-1910 in the very late time of the Qing Dynasty. Because of the one-metre-wide gauge it is called the narrow gauge railway. This special railway was built in mountains through many tunnels and bridges, running through ethnic areas in the south of Yunnan.

In December 1883, the 2-years Sino-French War broke out. Surprisingly, China "lost the war with victory" and France "won the war with defeat". A treaty was then signed in June 1885, the result is that China lost the control of Vietnam and France got Vietnam as its colony. Furthermore France got the right to trade in Yunnan and the authority to build a railway from Hai Phong of Vietnam to Kunming of China.

The History of Yunnan-Vietnam Railway

Historical Background of the RailwayIn the early 20th century, France succeeded colonizing Vietnam and switched their target to China. The corrupted and incompetent Qing Court signed an agreement with France that if China consider building railways, France should take charge." As a result, the very first international railway in China, namely, this Sino-Vietnamese Railway was in the charge of France.

The Construction of Yunnan-Vietnam Railway

The construction of the Yunnan part namely the Hekou-Kunming (Kun-He) Railway started in 1903, completed and opened to traffic in 1910, with a total length of 468 km. The railway was built in the mountains and over the rivers, with 425 bridges, 155 tunnels and 62 railway stations along it. The lowest point of the railway is Hekou Railway Station with the elevation of only 76.4m above the sea-level; while the highest point is Shuitang Railway Station with the elevation of about 2,400 metres above the sea level. The vertical drop difference is over 2,300 metres in a distance of 430 km.

The most attracting part of the railway is the Herringbone Bridge in Pingbian County of Honghe Prefecture. From Wantang to Zhicun Station, the 67-km-long railway had 78 tunnels and 47 bridges built, with a vertical going-up of about 900 metres and another steep climb from Yiliang to Shuitang Station going up about 800 metres.

The Kun-He Railway runs through many ethnic areas in the south of Yunnan, which covers Kunming City, Yuxi City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture where the Yi, Hani, Miao, Yao, Mongols, Zhuang, Dais and other people toil and multiply, and their colorful traditions are big attraction to the passengers from home and abroad and the local delicacies are tasty and really special.

The area the railway runs through enjoys the beautiful sceneries: lofty ridges and towering mountains covered with dense forests, rivers and trickling waters.  Because of the plentiful rainfalls, mild weather, the lands are fertile with good harvest of grains, vegetables, fruits, herbs and many other kinds of products. All of these show visitors a wonderful travel paradise to discover.

Why were French people so obesessed with the construction of the railway?

1. To begin with, Yunnan was rich in mineral resources. The railway can make it easier for them loot transport to its colony vietnam. In order to maximize their interest, they even deliberately made detours through the mineral-rich areas. Yunnan is the back door of China, which, at that time, the most attractive source of raw materials and market for their commodities.
2.The third reason is that Yunnan is close neighbor to rich Sichuan Province.
3.The last reason is because of the mild climate here. They were hoping to turn it into a backyard garden for its people.

The Importance of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway

Despite the fact that this railway was constructed against our will, we have to admit that we did benefit from it in certain way. Since Yunnan is a mountainous province, transportation was really inconvenient, which was accomplished mostly by human and animals. Thanks to this railway, Yunnan was greatly opened and even became the window to the southwest.In 1910, the very first hydropower station Shi Long Ba Hydropower station was built in Kunming, the engine of which was transported here by this railway.The national protection movement also benefited from it.During the anti-Japanese war, the railway brought a large number of intellectuals to Yunnan. With the establishment of the Southwest Associated Univeristy, Yunnan was turned into one of the most influencial culture centers in China.Nowadays, oriental planes /platan everywhere was introduced by French people at that time.Someone conducted a comparison between the pace of life of Kunming people to that of the Shanghai people, and they found that Kunming people was generally one hour and a half slower.

Related Attractions

1. Bisezhai – the First Major Station on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway Map

Being the juncture of the meter-gauge Yunnan-Vietnam Railway and the inch-gauge Gejiu-Bisezhai-Shiping Railway, the station was also the hub for cargo transshipment.  In the prime years of the two railways, business people from France, the UK, USA, Germany, and Greece swarmed into Bisezhai to set up companies, firms, bars and coffee shops, whereas governments of the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China had established post offices and taxation authorities there. Bisezhai has well preserved the major architectures of those years, such as the rows of French-style buildings, the passenger hall of the station, the big French railway clock and the Geluz Bar.

2. The Ren-shaped Bridge (人字桥)

The giant Ren-shaped steel-frame bridge of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway is located in Pingbian County. Noted for its unique design and delicate structure, the bridge has been registered as a key site of historical relics for national-level protection.

3. Jijie Railway Station (个旧鸡街火车站)

Jijie Railway Station of Gejiu Municipality was the transshipment depot of the meter-gauge and inch-gauge railways. The station has preserved an inch-gauge locomotive, which is the only survived one in China. Jijie Railway Station has been registered as a key site of historical relics for national-level protection.

4. Cross-border Folk Customs of Hekou City  (河口跨国边境风情)

Hekou, which is one of the class-one national ports of entry, is 468 kilometers from Kunming. Across the Red River, Hekou overlooks the Vietnamese Lao Cai City (capital of the Lao Cai Province) and Gu Liu Town. Hekou is also the hub where the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, Kunming-Hekou Highway, and the Red River route meet. Today, Hekou has developed into a trade- and tourism-centered city incorporating functions of border trade and border-area tourism.

Recommended Tour Routes

Touring with us will make your time well-spent well spent and your trip in Yunnan-Vietnam Railway with a unique experience.

Travel Tips

Nowadays, travellers can take a train ride from Kunming to visit the major destinations in the south of Yunnan including Yuxi, Jianshui, Mengzi and Hekou etc.