Chongqing - The China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) has surpassed 19,000 trips since its launch in 2011, a leap from fewer than 20 trains in its first year to at least five departures every day today, according to the China Railway Chengdu Group recently.
A China-Europe Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) train loaded with Chongqing-made automobiles waits for departure at Tuanjiecun Railway Station on September 8, 2025. (Photo/Tang Yi)
From January to July 2025, over 3,400 trains were dispatched, transporting more than 280,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods. These figures place the Chengdu-Chongqing corridor among the leading regions nationwide in terms of both train frequency and freight volume.
The service has expanded to 52 stable routes, connecting 117 hub cities in 38 countries. In the early years, cargo primarily focused on laptops but has now encompassed more than 10,000 product categories, including automobiles, machinery, and everyday consumer goods.
A Sichuan-based automaker noted that shipments to Germany now take 15 days, compared with more than 40 days by sea, and logistics costs have been reduced by 15%.
To meet rising demand from automakers, railway operators have introduced customized services such as specialized vehicle racks, priority handling, and streamlined customs procedures with the Chongqing authorities. In the first seven months of 2025, over 10,000 Chongqing-made cars worth more than 1 billion yuan ($140 million) were exported via the rail link.
Officials noted that the service's impact extends beyond logistics, but strengthens trade, investment, and cultural exchanges between the Chengdu-Chongqing region and countries along the route. They pledged to improve service quality, timeliness, and capacity to strengthen the region's role as a key hub for China's auto exports and international cooperation.