The line is slated to run 336.39 km (209 mi) from Dali to Ruili on the border with Myanmar.

[8] Originally, the Chinese government proposed a rail connection between Kunming, China and Kyaukpyu, Myanmar.

The railway was planned to follow the route of the existing Sino-Myanmar pipelines.

[13] The latest report in June 2022[14] stated that the new EIA for the Burmese side of the China–Myanmar Railway will be shortened to 409.69 km by adding 47 more bridges and viaducts (bringing the total from 77 to 124), while the number of tunnels will be reduced from 77 to 60.

This Muse–Mandalay railway line will pass the following stations: There will be 4 major bridges and viaducts along this railway line: However, the timeframe and schedule are not certain due to the ongoing civil war that started in 2021 in Myanmar.