Interview: Trekking through the Yunnan-Vietnam railway is worthwhile

Editor's Note: 

This year marks the 110th anniversary of the opening of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, which witnessed the opening-up and progress of Yunnan province. At the backdrop of the Belt and Road Initiative, the international railway has grown into a hotspot for sightseeing, with diverse outdoor activities available. Mr. Duan Lian recently shared with us his trekking through the Yunnan-Vietnam railway. 

"It was in 2006 and we started trekking through the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway at the Bise village. In the following 2 days, I was thinking about the future development of tourist products regarding the century-old railway." Duan Lian, a teacher at the Southwest Forestry University, was on a tourism promotion back then. 

"Usually, our group covered around 20 to 25 kilometers a day. If we keep on walking, the time for real sightseeing will be reduced." Duan Lian said the landscapes along the railway were appealing to the group members, almost as appealing as those in Australia.

Among the highlights, Duan was impressed by the tiny trains running on Yunnan-Vietnam Railway. And he said it is hard to walk through the 800-kilometer railway, and most tourists would like to choose a famed section to trek through. “It is necessary to put up signs and safety tips, while building up facilities along the route for hikers.” 

Tourist activities along the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway should involve ethnic customs, border scenery, cultural heritages and popular sights. Only by spending less time on experiencing the best part of a route can tourists have a sense of gain in view of the time and cost.

Duan Lian added that there is a lot to experience in Yunnan: paragliding, aerial photography, rock climbing, kayaking and more. "Compared with other Chinese provinces, Yunnan has special natural beauty and more backpackers from home and abroad are expected come for the diverse outdoor activities. 

Reporting by Li Hengqiang; trans-editing by Wang Shixue