First freight train launched from Inner Mongolia to Kazakhstan

Almaty. July 28. KazTAG - The first freight train department from the city of Baotou, autonomous district of Inner Mongolia (Northern China) to Astana was launched on Wednesday, the railway route of container transportations from Inner Mongolia to Central Asia has been officially opened, reports the Xinhua news agency.
The train, which was loaded with building materials and other commodities, left Jiuyuan Logistics Park in Baotou City Wednesday morning. The 4,332-km trip to Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, will take eight days.
On its return journey, the train will carry goods such as mineral resources, according to a Hohhot Railway Bureau official.
Hohhot Railway Bureau built the logistics park, which features special platforms and storehouses for freight, at a cost of 1.3 billion yuan (195 million U.S. dollars).
Around 15 freight trains will make the journey this year.
Many cities, including Chengdu, Chongqing and Harbin, have launched freight services to boost trade with central Asia and Europe in recent years.