Guanlei Port of Mekong River in Mengla County, XishuangBanna

Chinese Name: Guanlei Port of Mekong River in Xishuangbanna (西双版纳关累港口)

Guanlei Port is located on the banks of the Lancang River (澜沧江) in the southwestern part of Mengla County (勐腊县), Xishuangbanna (西双版纳) Prefecture, Yunnan Province (云南省). It serves as the first dock for the hinterland of the Southeast Asian countries entering China via the Mekong River (湄公河). Additionally, it is an exceptional area along the Lancang River that is not affected by domestic tiered hydropower stations, allowing 150-ton cargo ships to navigate year-round. The port’s location is ideal, and its natural scenery is magnificent. Guanlei Port is situated 83 kilometers upstream from the national-level Jinghong Port (景洪港) and is well-connected by land, making it a vital passageway and distribution center for direct trade cooperation and exchanges with Laos (老挝), Myanmar (缅甸), and Thailand (泰国).

Guanlei Port is approximately 100 kilometers from the center of Mengla County, located at longitude 101°03’31” E and latitude 21°40’39” N. It is connected by land to Laos to the south and faces Myanmar across the river to the west. The dock is situated at the confluence of the Lancang River and the Upper Mekong River, directly opposite Myanmar, and is linked to Laos by land. It is currently an essential waterway for trade exchanges between Yunnan Province (云南省) and Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand. The term “Guanlei” is derived from the Dai language (傣语), meaning “the place to chase the golden deer.” Looking across the river from the dock to Myanmar, 21 kilometers downstream along the border river between China and Myanmar lies boundary marker 244, where the three countries of China, Laos, and Myanmar intersect. This area is characterized by green waters and mountains, with dense primeval forests, and is also known as the “Green Triangle.”

Port Construction and Scale

The construction of Guanlei Port began on May 2, 2000. The total estimated investment for Guanlei Port is 36.74 million yuan, with designs for three berths for high, medium, and low water levels, capable of handling an annual cargo throughput of 150,000 tons and a passenger throughput of 100,000 people. The public tender for the project was opened in April 2000. Yunnan Road and Port Engineering Company (云南路港工程公司) undertook the construction of the two berths for high and low water levels, while the Guangdong Zhanjiang Engineering Construction Group (广东省湛江市工程建设集团公司) was responsible for the construction of the medium water berth. Since the commencement of construction, all parties involved—including construction units, design units, supervision units, and contractors—have set a goal: to build a first-class port with top-quality standards! In terms of investment and scale, it is not as large as Jinghong Port and Simao Port (思茅港), but due to its geographical position, it has become an important port along the 158-kilometer international shipping line from the Lancang River to the Mekong River, serving as a frontline position for Yunnan’s construction of international thoroughfares. Guanlei Port is commonly referred to as “China’s First Port” on the Lancang River.

Port Specifications

  • The low water berth measures a total length of 85 meters.
  • The medium water berth measures a total length of 286.78 meters.
  • The high water berth measures a total length of 208.72 meters.
  • The access road to the port is 472.5 meters long.

During the dry season from December to May each year, 70% of the vessels on the Lancang River dock here for loading and unloading goods. Guanlei Port can accommodate operations for vessels under 300 tons. The entire shoreline at the port is straight, making the loading and unloading of goods and the boarding and disembarking of passengers more convenient and efficient.

Management and Operations

The navigation at Guanlei Port is strictly regulated, with operations allowed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The main export goods are destined for Thailand, primarily including electromechanical products, toys, sports goods, daily necessities, fruits, garlic, and fresh vegetables. The main imported goods include rubber, timber, edible fruits, and dried fruits. From January to October 2010, the total inbound and outbound cargo volume at Guanlei Port was 90,593 tons, a decrease of 27% compared to the same period the previous year. The import and export value reached 78.251 million yuan, an increase of 3% from the previous year. The total number of inbound and outbound passengers was 23,395, also a 27% decrease compared to the previous year. The total number of inbound and outbound vessels was 4,180, a 32% decrease compared to the previous year.

Related Incidents

On September 2, 2012, a civilian vessel capsized and sank near Guanlei Port, resulting in the confirmation of 14 individuals missing, including 8 primary school students from Myanmar, as of September 3.

Notable Attractions in Guanlei Port Area

  • Guanlei Port (关累港)
  • Lancang River (澜沧江)
  • Upper Mekong River (上湄公河)
  • Jinghong Port (景洪港)
  • Simao Port (思茅港)
  • Green Triangle (绿三角)

This detailed overview emphasizes the significance of Guanlei Port as a key transportation hub in Xishuangbanna, reflecting its vital role in regional trade and connectivity with neighboring countries.