Freight movement through Alashankou (Alataw Pass), a key rail gateway in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has crossed 3,000 train trips so far this year, achieving the milestone 19 days earlier than in 2025 amid rising trade demand with Europe and Central Asia.
According to China Railway Urumqi Group Co., Ltd., a China-Europe freight train carrying machinery, auto parts, and electronic goods departed Alataw Pass Station on Thursday for Malaszewicze in Poland, pushing total China-Europe (Central Asia) freight train operations at the port beyond the 3,000 mark.
Officials said the development reflects the growing importance of Xinjiang’s rail infrastructure in China’s westward logistics and trade network, as exporters increasingly rely on overland corridors to access markets in Central Asia and Europe.
Since the beginning of the year, the port has handled an average of more than 20 freight trains daily, with peak operations reaching up to 35 trains per day. Railway authorities said both handling capacity and turnaround efficiency have improved steadily.
The latest national railway operating plan has further expanded connectivity through Alashankou, adding Central Asia-bound freight services from cities including Beijing, Tianjin, and Zhangjiakou in Hebei Province.
Customs authorities have also introduced facilitation measures to reduce cargo delays, including faster clearance procedures for selected inbound shipments such as grain under conditional release arrangements, as well as extended night-shift inspection services based on commercial demand.
Officials said these steps have helped reduce storage costs, improve cargo flow, and maintain quarantine oversight without disrupting trade efficiency.
At present, Alashankou operates 128 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight train routes, connecting China with 21 countries including Germany and Poland. More than 200 categories of goods pass through the port, ranging from automotive components and electronics to daily consumer goods.