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China Railway Express provides fixed-schedule rail freight between China, Europe, and "Belt and Road" partner nations. These services utilize three strategic corridors: the Western line (via Alashankou/Horgos), the Central line (via Erlianhaote), and the Eastern line (via Manzhouli/Suifenhe), connecting China’s inland and coastal hubs to the global market.
China Railway Express (CR Express) stands as one of the most successful initiatives by the Chinese government to revitalize the Silk Road, driving economic development across China and participating "Belt and Road" nations. Since the inaugural service from Chongqing to Duisburg, Germany, was launched on March 19, 2011, major industrial hubs—including Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Yiwu, Wuhan, Changsha, and Harbin—have established robust container rail links to Europe.
The CR Express network now spans Europe and the Middle East, reaching key markets such as Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, the UK, France, Belarus, Russia, Iran, and Central Asia. As the "Belt and Road" initiative deepens, the continuous expansion of these routes and destinations is significantly fostering international trade and regional economic prosperity.
Originating from the Xinglongchang Station at Chongqing’s Tuanjie Village Logistics Park, this route exits China via Alashankou. It traverses Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Poland before reaching Duisburg, Germany.
Distance & Time: Approximately 11,000 km in 15 days.
Impact: This line accounts for over 39% of total CR Express traffic. It serves as a major export artery for electronics (laptops, mobile phones) and auto parts from Southwest China, while bringing European automotive components, red wine, and cosmetics back to the domestic market.
Departing from Chengdu Chengxiang Railway Station, this route follows the Alashankou-Kazakhstan-Russia-Belarus corridor to Poland. Launched on April 26, 2013, it primarily facilitates the trade of IT products between Sichuan and European markets.
Distance & Time: 9,965 km in approximately 14 days.
This line departs from Zhengzhou Putian Railway Station, exiting via Alashankou to reach Hamburg. It is notable for maintaining a healthy balance of two-way trade. Outbound goods include clothing, LED lights, and handbags, while inbound freight includes high-quality European products.
Distance & Time: 10,245 km in 15 days.
Starting at Yiwu West Station, this is the longest route in the CR Express network, passing through eight countries: China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, France, and Spain. It represents a vital link between the world's largest small-commodity hub and Southern Europe.
Distance & Time: 13,052 km in 21 days.
Key Achievements:
Originating in Suzhou and exiting via Manzhouli, this route traverses Russia and Belarus. It primarily services the high-tech clusters in Suzhou, Wuxi, and Shanghai, transporting laptops, tablets, and LCD components.
Distance & Time: 11,200 km in 15 days.
Launched from Wuhan Wujiashan Station, this route focuses on electronic exports from the Yangtze River region and LCL (Less than Container Load) cargo from South China.
Distance & Time: 10,700 km in 15 days.
Based in Changsha Xianing Yard, this service operates a "One Main, Two Supplements" model. The main line reaches Duisburg, while the supplements serve Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Moscow (Russia). It has expanded to include direct links to Minsk, Belarus.
Russia Route: Connects Harbin to central Russia in just 10 days, saving 75% in costs compared to air freight.
Hamburg Route: Provides a 15-day transit time with consistent weekly departures for both FCL and LCL cargo.
Established as the first direct rail link from a Chinese industrial park to Belarus, this route supports the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, exporting automobiles, rubber products, and household appliances.
Distance & Time: 9,500 km in 12–14 days.
The first route from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was launched in September 2016. It enables the export of local specialties, such as Tibetan carpets, to Europe’s second-largest container port.
Transit Time: 12 days.
Exiting via Manzhouli, this weekly service provides the Pearl River Delta with a stable channel for exporting electronics and daily consumer goods to Russia.
Distance & Time: 11,500 km in 15 days.
Operating from the Qingdao Multimodal Freight Customs Supervision Center, this route facilitates the export of machinery and home appliances from Shandong province.
Distance & Time: 7,900 km in 22 days (saving 30 days compared to sea freight).
Focused on the automotive industry, this line transports auto parts and textiles from Jilin Province to European manufacturing hubs.
Transit Time: 12–15 days.
China Railway Express provides a comprehensive range of shipping solutions, including FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) consolidation. To accommodate diverse cargo requirements, we offer specialized equipment such as Reefer Containers (for temperature-controlled goods) and Open-Top Containers (for oversized or heavy machinery).
Please note that freight rates vary depending on the specific route and market dynamics. Below are our primary service categories:
Have shipments to order, or have more questions about shipping from China? Contact our sales team today for a competitive quote.
