China is extending their railroads in all directions, including west to Tibet and southwest towards Burma, either to Lashio or Bhamo: Lashio’s the starting point for the WW II Burma Road but also the end of the Mandalay rail line, while Bhamo’s the northernmost navigable point on the Irrawaddy river. Either way, the railroad will connect up with the old French road from Kunming to Hanoi.