Don Khon Railway Bridge
Champasak
The Don Khon Railway Bridge was a key part of the Don Det–Don Khon railway, a 7-kilometre narrow-gauge portage railway built in 1893 during French colonial rule in Laos. It connected the islands of Don Khon and Don Det within the Si Phan Don archipelago, enabling vessels and freight to bypass the impassable Khone Phapheng Falls on the Mekong River. Initially constructed with a temporary track, the railway was later made permanent and operated with a wood-burning steam locomotive named Paul Doumer. The railway facilitated transport of passengers and goods along the Mekong until its closure around 1940. This railway was the only operational railway in Laos until 2009, making the Don Khon Railway Bridge a unique relic of colonial engineering and regional transport history. Today, the bridge and remnants of the railway attract visitors interested in Laos' colonial past and the Mekong River's navigation challenges.
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Tip: Visit during the dry season for easier access and more comfortable weather. While the railway is no longer operational, exploring the bridge and nearby islands offers scenic views and historical insight. No advance ticketing is required as the site is open and free to explore. Bring insect repellent due to mosquitoes in the area. Guided tours of the Si Phan Don islands can provide additional historical context.
Interesting facts
- •The Don Det–Don Khon railway was the only railway in Laos until 2009.
- •The steam locomotive used was named Paul Doumer, after the Governor-General of French Indochina.
- •The railway was built to bypass the Khone Phapheng Falls, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia.
- •Initially, the railway track was temporary and moved ahead as trains progressed, before a permanent track was laid.
- •The railway facilitated the transport of dismantled vessels across islands to continue navigation upstream.
History
Constructed in 1893 by the French colonial administration, the Don Det–Don Khon railway was designed to circumvent the Khone Phapheng Falls, a major obstacle to navigation on the Mekong River.
Initially using temporary tracks and manual labor, it soon employed a steam locomotive to transport dismantled vessels and cargo across Don Khon and Don Det islands.
The railway was extended to Don Det in the 1910s to improve connectivity.
It operated until around 1940, after which it was abandoned due to changing transport needs and the impact of World War II.
It remained the only railway in Laos until the early 21st century.
Place Guide
Don Khon Railway Bridge1893
The historic bridge that connected Don Khon and Don Det islands, integral to the narrow-gauge railway system built to bypass the Mekong rapids. It stands as a relic of French colonial engineering and Mekong River navigation history.
Paul Doumer Steam Locomotive ReplicaLate 1890s
Although the original locomotive no longer operates, replicas and displays commemorate the wood-burning steam engine named after the French Governor-General Paul Doumer, which powered trains on the railway.
Contact
Phone: 020 98 789 994
