Xinhua Silk Road - Belt and Road Portal, China's silk road economic belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Website Xinhua Silk Road - Belt and Road Portal, China's silk road economic belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Website
Subscribe CustomBlackClose

Belt & Road Weekly Subscription Form

download_pop

Research ReportCustomBlackClose

The full edition of the report is available at Xinhua Silk Road Database. You can click the “Table of Content” to have a general understanding of it.

Click on the button below to create your account and get immediate access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial

Xinhua Silk Road Database
Facility Connectivity

China-Europe freight train, an artery for growth between Xi'an and Almaty

July 03, 2026


Abstract : In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

ce0e2b98b39a4cf886f9d455e6a37b07.PNG

An aerial drone photo taken on June 25, 2026 shows a staff member operating a crane to handle containers of the China-Europe freight train at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua)

ccab0f504733491d915af7ac7ef45a67.PNG

An aerial drone photo taken on June 24, 2026 shows a staff member operating a crane to unload containers at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

433d6aca7be64faca165f90106c62717.PNG

A staff member operates a forklift to load cargo at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 24, 2026.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

de77d4667da44c5e96e30759b265f9a6.PNG

Staff members review inbound and outbound cargo information at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, June 24, 2026.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

e3bd312729694e64ad897258c1fad447.PNG

An aerial drone photo taken on June 10, 2026 shows a view of the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

b29ef4bb76ce430983d63dd5b4a93cb3.PNG

An aerial drone photo taken on June 24, 2026 shows staff members operating cranes to unload containers at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

f59c3ae3fc534ca09a6f6e4c34f60a8a.PNG

Containers aboard a China-Europe freight trains arrive at Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 19, 2026.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua)

e3fe7ae1fded4cdb831312ec08f0c803.PNG

Staff members work at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 23, 2026.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

92f19c90e5f045dea91352d5f463827f.PNG

Customers view agricultural products from Kazakhstan at a store in the Xi'an Chanba International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 10, 2025.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

5d692b1708a74ed88fdaf09b1b86e89e.PNG

A drone photo taken on June 24, 2026 shows a staff member inspecting BYD new energy vehicles to be exported at the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

b2c18bb8fbe9441ab8c12584ce7deb86.PNG

An aerial drone photo taken on June 24, 2026 shows a view of the Xi'an land port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

eddbb3b981bf4280bfcd2cffe901c7a4.PNG

A worker carries cargo boxes at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 10, 2026.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

09b12cbf4c2e4c2b8f2fe00ca561c4b2.PNG

A crane operator receives an interview at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 10, 2026.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

3603fed9032a4ca3b925d2677f94b307.PNG

A staff member operates a crane to handle a container of the China-Europe freight train at the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan, June 23, 2026.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

62df8f62dd534354afa7ebafac5523dd.PNG

This photo taken on Aug. 1, 2025 shows a sign of the Kazakhstani land port for Xi'an in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

In November 2013, the first Chang'an China-Europe freight train departed from Xi'an to Almaty in Kazakhstan, making the two cities ever since become key transit hubs along Asia-Europe transportation route.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit held in 2023, China and Kazakhstan have innovated their modes of cooperation by launching modern logistics facilities in each other's territories.

The trade volume between the two countries via the China-Europe freight trains reached 5.32 billion yuan (about 781.34 million U.S. dollars) in 2025, an increase of 19.1 percent. (Xinhua/Li Renzi)

Scan the QR code and push it to your mobile phone

Keyword: Xi'an China-Europe freight train Almaty

Write to Us belt & road login close

Do you want to be a contributor to Xinhua Silk Road and tell us your Belt & Road story? Send your articles to [email protected] and share your stories with more people.

Click on the button below to create your account and get im http://img.silkroad.news.cn/templates/silkroad/en2017te access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial

Ask Us A Question belt & road login close

If you have any questions, please enter them in the box below.

Identifying code Reload

Write to Us belt & road login close

Do you want to be a contributor to Xinhua Silk Road and tell us your Belt & Road story? Send your articles to silkroadweekly@xinhua.org and share your stories with more people.

Click on the button below to create your account and get im http://img.silkroad.news.cn/templates/silkroad/en2017te access to thousands of articles.

Start a Free Trial