May 11, 2023, stands as a significant milestone for Lanzhou as the "Lanzhou Express" South Asia rail-road intermodal international freight train departed from the Dongchuan Logistics Base of Lanzhou Railway Freight Center. The train will travel via rail to Lhasa and Xigaze before continuing by road to its final destination - Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
This inaugural journey not only represents Lanzhou's crucial step in facilitating international trade but also establishes another vital freight corridor connecting China with South Asia, following the previously launched international freight trains to Almaty and Hamburg.
With the opening of this new route, Lanzhou's geographical advantages have become increasingly prominent. The trade corridor enhances the city's strategic position in the Belt and Road Initiative while demonstrating its potential as a logistics hub. In recent years, Lanzhou has steadily strengthened its freight capabilities, emerging as an important domestic logistics node.
Statistics reveal Lanzhou's growing efficiency in cargo consolidation. During the launch of its first China-Europe freight train, the city required three months to gather 45 containers. However, responding to market demand, the consolidation period shortened dramatically - the second train needed just two weeks, while the third was loaded within one week. This acceleration demonstrates Lanzhou's increasing market recognition and the development of a more efficient logistics network.
Beyond its favorable location, Lanzhou boasts robust transportation infrastructure. As one of China's 42 national logistics node cities, the Lanzhou International Port Area serves as a key project in Gansu Province's 13th Five-Year Plan period. The facility handles dispatch operations for China-Europe, Central Asia, and now South Asia freight trains. Furthermore, the Lanzhou North Marshalling Station ranks among China's top ten marshalling yards, offering strategic railway distribution advantages described as "central connectivity to six directions."
These transportation assets position Lanzhou as a critical junction linking Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe, providing strong support for regional economic development.
The Belt and Road Initiative has spurred numerous cities to establish freight routes to Central Asia and Europe, many of which pass through Lanzhou. The introduction of the "Lanzhou Express" has elevated regional economic and logistics connectivity. The South Asia corridor's opening reflects China's coordinated development policy, facilitating deeper market integration with South Asian countries while injecting new vitality into local economies.
Media coverage has focused extensively on the new South Asia route, highlighting its significance for strengthening China-Nepal relations and deepening trade cooperation.
Regional leaders have welcomed the freight service's inauguration. Officials from Lhasa and Xigaze noted that the "Lanzhou Express" operation will accelerate exchanges between their cities, promote economic cooperation, and expand openness. Enhanced economic and trade relations are expected to create new development opportunities, with Lanzhou and Xigaze particularly well-positioned for complementary, multi-level cooperation across various fields.
The "Lanzhou Express" South Asia international freight train's launch marks both an upgrade in Lanzhou's functional capacity and the full realization of its regional advantages. Against the backdrop of domestic and international collaboration, the train's regular operation provides a new pathway for economic growth and international trade expansion.
