Narrow-gauge railways in Asia

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Asia has many narrow‑gauge railways in a variety of sizes. The two most common are 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) and metre gauge (1,000 mm). Here is a short, easy‑to‑understand guide to where they are and what’s happening today.

East Asia
- Japan: Most non‑high‑speed lines run on 1,067 mm. The Shinkansen and other high‑speed lines use standard gauge (1,435 mm). A few very small lines use other gauges, and a small number of forestry lines use 762 mm, but most narrow‑gauge networks in Japan are being phased out.
- Taiwan: Historically 1,067 mm; a 762 mm Alishan Forest Railway still operates as a tourist line. A 2 ft 6 in line on the east coast was regauged to 1,067 mm when connected. The Taiwan High Speed Rail uses standard gauge, and there has been talk of upgrading more lines to standard gauge.
- Hong Kong: The old Kowloon–Cup Canton line and Sha Tau Kok line used small gauges in the past. Today, Hong Kong Tramways runs on 1,067 mm, the MTR uses standard gauge (1,435 mm) except for the leased KCR network, and the region’s historical gauges are mostly part of the past.

Southeast Asia and nearby
- Indonesia: The main network is 1,067 mm. Some new or special routes use standard gauge (for example, Cut Meutia in Aceh, Trans‑Sulawesi, Jakarta LRT, Jabodebek LRT, and the Jakarta–Bandung High‑Speed Rail). Sugarcane plantation lines in the past used narrow gauges but are mostly closed or repurposed for tourism.
- Malaysia: The main lines are metre gauge (1,000 mm). KTM runs the long intercity routes on metre gauge. Sabah’s North Borneo Railway is metre gauge and runs as a heritage line. Urban light rail and airport links in the Klang Valley use standard gauge.
- Philippines: The Philippine National Railways mostly uses 1,067 mm, with a few modern Manila lines built to standard gauge. There are also historic narrow‑gauge and sugarcane lines used for tourism and industry in other parts of the country.
- Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar: The mainland Southeast Asian railways are predominantly metre gauge (1,000 mm). Some cross‑border routes and older lines have been upgraded or converted, but metre gauge remains common today.
- ASEAN-wide plan: A proposed ASEAN Railway would use standard gauge or dual gauge to connect Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and China’s standard‑gauge network.

South Asia
- India: India once had many narrow‑gauge lines. Most have been converted to broad gauge, but a few important lines remain in operation for heritage and tourism—Nilgiri Mountain Railway (metre gauge), Kalka–Shimla (2 ft 6 in / 762 mm), Kangra Valley (762 mm), Darjeeling Himalayan (610 mm), and Matheran Hill Railways (610 mm). These “Hill Railways” are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are preserved rather than converted.

West Asia
- Jordan: The country uses 1,050 mm narrow gauge on its railways.

China
- China has used many gauges over the years. Some regions and lines still operate metre gauge; the Kunming–Hekou line was metre gauge and linked with Vietnam. In Manchuria, 762 mm lines were used for forestry railways, and the 600 mm Gebishi line (Caoba toward Shiping) operated from 1915 until its last section closed in 1990. Some Hong Kong/Macao and local lines used smaller gauges in the past. Most new mainlines and high‑speed routes use standard gauge, while a few heritage or local lines remain narrow gauge.

Notes on gauges and modernization
- The most widespread narrow gauges in Asia are 1,067 mm and 1,000 mm. Other gauges—such as 762 mm, 610 mm, or 1,050 mm—are found mainly on historic, forestry, or tourist lines or in specific countries.
- In many countries, broad gauge or standard gauge is being introduced on new or upgraded lines, while a handful of historic narrow‑gauge lines remain for tourism, heritage, or special regional needs.
- High‑speed and many new urban networks across Asia are standard gauge, even where older lines were narrow gauge.

In short, Asia’s railways reflect a long history of different gauges. While many countries are moving toward standard or broad gauge for new lines, numerous narrow‑gauge routes still operate today for heritage, tourism, and regional transport.