From the early 20th Century, Yunnan has developed rapidly. About Kunming-the capital city of Yunnan, there're some historic passages, from the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway to the modern Kunming-Bangkok Passage.
Yunnan-Viet Nam Railroad
Yunnan-Viet Nam Railroad is the first railroad of Yunnan Province, one of the rare "metric" railroads in China. Starting from the former French colony Hai Phong of Viet Nam, the railroad extends to Kunming by way of Lao Cai and Hekou. Now, the section from Hekou to Kunming is called Kunming-Hekou Railroad.
The section from Hai Phong to Lao Cai is called "Viet Nam Section" and the section from Hekou to Kunming is called "Yunnan Section". The construction of the railroad began in the 27th year of Guangxu Emperor (1901) and the Viet Nam Section was completed earlier. In 1903, the French Government approved the planning of the eastern section and the construction began in the next year. By April 15, 1909, the section to Bise Village was completed and by April 1, 1910, the whole railroad was finished and opened to traffic.
Till now, many sites related to the railroad are still remained along it, such as Bise Village Railway Station, the site of Hekou Postal Services, Hekou Customs and Mengzi Settlement.
Yunnan-Burma Road
The road began to be constructed in December 1937 and put into use in August 1938, covering 959.4 km. It is linked with the Central Railway of Burma, directly connecting Rangoon. During the World War II, it played a vital role as a transportation line between China and the outside world.
The Hump Flights
As the aerial passage for China and the Allies in the World War II, it was started in 1942 and finished by the end of the war. Covering 500 miles, it went over a string of undulating mountains with the average altitude being between 4,500-5,500 metres (14,760-16,400 ft) and the biggest altitude nearly 7,000 metres (22,960 ft).
Kunming-Bangkok Passage
Namely the Kunming-Bangkok Road, it is an important land passage connecting China to Southeast Asia. As part of the Asian road network No. AH3, it is 1,800 km long, starting at Kunming of Yunnan and ending at Bangkok of Thailand.