Mohan Township, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, southwest China - Feb 11, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of Mohan Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station; people
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Van Der Meer Sara Janne, tourist from Netherlands (starting with shot 1/partially overlaid with shot 3/ending with shot 4):
"We are very looking forward to the Chinese New Year. While we know a little bit about it but of course we would like to learn more. For example, we know that a lot of events are going on and maybe fireworks, and that all families have a small tradition to give a red envelope with money to bring good luck, and that every year they celebrate another year of an animal, and this year it will be the Year of the Horse."
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3. International tourists talking with staff
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4. International tourists handling procedures
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Van Mil Larice, tourist from Netherlands (starting with shot 4):
"We hope to see a lot of the traditions. We also contacted our host, and she will help us and explain where we can go, what we can see in the neighborhoods."
6. Various of Mohan border inspection station; people
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Walton Gary John, tourist from UK (ending with shots 8-10):
"Last year, I was lucky enough to spend the Chinese Spring Festival in Hainan – memorable experience for me. People were pleasurable, really interesting, fantastic time. I must remember on the night fireworks, all day long fireworks. May I wish a happy New Year in a prosperous 2026 to all Chinese people."
8. People at platform
9. Aerial shot of Mohan Station
10. Train departing

As the Spring Festival approaches, the China-Laos Railway is seeing an increasing number of international travelers eager to experience traditional Chinese New Year customs.

Data from the Mohan Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station shows that since the start of the Spring Festival travel rush period on February 2, the railway checkpoint has processed over 9,600 inbound and outbound travelers over the past week. Among them, more than 1,300 were nationals from 33 countries and regions – a year-on-year increase of more than 30 percent.

On peak days, inbound international arrivals exceeded 130 a day, accounting for more than 20 percent of daily entries.

With China’s expanding visa-free arrangements, the cross-border railway continues to see steady growth of inbound foreign tourists, drawn by cultural immersion, culinary experiences and festive celebrations.

At the border inspection station, international travelers expressed their strong interest in Chinese culture, and delivered their new year wishes.

"We are very looking forward to the Chinese New Year. While we know a little bit about it but of course we would like to learn more. For example, we know that a lot of events are going on and maybe fireworks, and that all families have a small tradition to give a red envelope with money to bring good luck, and that every year they celebrate another year of an animal, and this year it will be the Year of the Horse," said Van Der Meer Sara Janne, a tourist from the Netherlands.

"We hope to see a lot of the traditions. We also contacted our host, and she will help us and explain where we can go, what we can see in the neighborhoods," said Van Mil Larice, another tourist from the Netherlands.

"Last year, I was lucky enough to spend the Chinese Spring Festival in Hainan – memorable experience for me. People were pleasurable, really interesting, fantastic time. I must remember on the night fireworks, all day long fireworks. May I wish a happy New Year in a prosperous 2026 to all Chinese people," said Walton Gary John, a tourist from the UK.