The vision of a modern “Iron Silk Road” connecting Asia and Europe by rail became a reality in 2011 with the launch of the first intercontinental freight train route, a logistical marvel that laid the foundation for China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The inaugural China-Europe freight train departed from Chongqing, China, on March 19, 2011, carrying a load of high-value IT products. Sixteen days later, it arrived at its destination: the German city of Duisburg, establishing a new land transportation corridor that dramatically cuts transit time compared to traditional sea routes.
The route, initially known as the “YuXinOu” (Chongqing–Xinjiang–Europe) line, successfully demonstrated the viability of high-volume, fixed-schedule rail transport across the Eurasian continent. Key features of this pioneering route and the subsequent expansion of the China-Europe Railway Express network include:
- Speed Advantage: The trains offer a crucial middle ground between expensive air freight and slow ocean shipping, typically completing the journey in about 16 to 25 days, compared to 40 to 50 days by sea.
- Infrastructure Spine: While the BRI was formally proposed in 2013, the success of the 2011 Chongqing-Duisburg line served as a practical proof of concept, making the rail network a critical pillar of the BRI’s long-term strategy to boost global trade and connectivity.
- Network Expansion: Since the initial trip, the network has expanded exponentially. The China-Europe Railway Express now connects over 100 Chinese cities with over 223 European cities across 25 countries, running multiple routes through various border crossings like Alashankou and Erenhot.
The intercontinental rail service has transformed inland cities like Chongqing and Xi’an into major international logistics hubs, offering a reliable and increasingly essential alternative for supply chains, particularly for time-sensitive goods like electronics and automotive components.
