The first China-Europe freight train from Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, departed on Thursday for Budapest, Hungary. It will arrive in 21 days. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A freight train loaded with 50 containers departed Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on Thursday morning, bound for Budapest, Hungary.

It was the first China-Europe freight train departing from Ningxia. It is expected to reach its destination in 21 days, passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and Hungary, a trip of 8,500 kilometers.

The new cargo route shortens the traditional sea route by 20 days, and accelerates the circulation of goods and money. So it can lower costs for enterprises.

With the efforts of local governments, the route has been improved based on the current cargo train route linking Ningxia with Central Asian countries.