Abstract: Most of the Lancang-Mekong River in Yunnan is difficult to cross and navigate due to its rapid currents and the high mountains on both banks. There are few records of shipping on the Lancang-Mekong River in history. In its middle and upper reaches we are mainly talking about crossing instead of shipping. There were at least 82 ancient ferries along it in Yunnan in history. Its lower reaches are gentle and lower in elevation, thus some of its sections are possible for distant shipping. Historically, Szemao was an important tea and horse trade center on this waterway that led to Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. Now it has become an integral stop on the Southwest Silk Road connecting China with the southeast Asian countries.

Key words: Southeast Silk Road, Lancang-Mekong River, shipping