Yunnan’s Ruili checkpoint has processed 5.02 million travellers so far in 2025—its highest total since before the pandemic and a 7.5 % rise on last year—thanks to a real-time smart-inspection system that auto-opens lanes when queues build. Vehicle movements also exceeded 541 000, underscoring the rebound in cross-border trade and tourism with Myanmar.
Infrastructure upgrades completed this year carved out specialised lanes: a Belt-and-Road Channel for official delegations, a medical Green Channel that has already fast-tracked over 2 000 Myanmar patients, and a “Sunshine Channel” serving 12 000 schoolchildren who commute daily. Average wait times have fallen 30 %, according to border officials.
![Smart Lanes Power Record 5 Million Crossings at China–Myanmar Gateway]()
For manufacturers straddling the frontier the improvements translate into shorter driver lay-overs, lower spoilage of time-sensitive cargo and reduced freight costs. Travel-management firms are rerouting technical staff through Ruili instead of via costly detours through Mandalay or Kunming.
Authorities plan further digitisation in 2026, including joint pre-clearance with Myanmar customs and a multilingual mobile app that lets frequent travellers book inspection slots in advance. The initiative aligns with Beijing’s wider strategy to make southwest land ports logistics hubs for the Greater Mekong region.
Infrastructure upgrades completed this year carved out specialised lanes: a Belt-and-Road Channel for official delegations, a medical Green Channel that has already fast-tracked over 2 000 Myanmar patients, and a “Sunshine Channel” serving 12 000 schoolchildren who commute daily. Average wait times have fallen 30 %, according to border officials.
For manufacturers straddling the frontier the improvements translate into shorter driver lay-overs, lower spoilage of time-sensitive cargo and reduced freight costs. Travel-management firms are rerouting technical staff through Ruili instead of via costly detours through Mandalay or Kunming.
Authorities plan further digitisation in 2026, including joint pre-clearance with Myanmar customs and a multilingual mobile app that lets frequent travellers book inspection slots in advance. The initiative aligns with Beijing’s wider strategy to make southwest land ports logistics hubs for the Greater Mekong region.
