The unique crossing on Yunnan-Vietnam Meter-Gauge Railway

The Yunnan-Vietnam Meter-Gauge Railway, built by French, went into operation in 1910. Stretching 854 kilometers from Kunming, China to Hai Phong, Vietnam, the railway is a miracle in the history of world’s transportation development.

Compared with the section in Vietnam, the Yunnan section of the railway was built in more extreme difficulties because of the complex geological conditions. The section is the earliest railway built in the mountainous areas of China, and is also the first of its kind in Yunnan.

Regarded as a living fossil of Chinese railway development, the Yunnan section is full of miracles which are told for more than one hundred years in the valleys and cities with the uproars of the trains. And one of them is a unique crossing.

Crossings are often seen on railways. But the one on the Yunnan section of Yunnan-Vietnam Meter-gauge railway is different. Located at the foot of Mingshan Mountain, western suburb of Kunming, it is the crossing of one meter-gauge railway and one standard gauge railway which was the Yunnan Copper Line built at the end of 1950s.

Over the past 70 years, no accident happened on the crossing. No matter which directions the trains come from, the attendants will call the crossing station in advance. And the station staff will close the other railroad.

Today, looking at this crossing, we can’t help marveling at the exquisite design of the builders whose stories are told through times to the future.

Source: Kunming Railway（Wechat account）; Text by Tian Yu；Photos by Zhang Wenhai