A new freight train service has opened linking northwest China's transport hub of Xi'an with Slawkow, Poland, in the hinterland of Europe by way of the Alataw Pass in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Phoro/chinanews.com]

The first train left the station in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, on Tuesday for the 9,478-km trip, which is expected to take about 10 days.

After crossing China's border through the Alataw Pass, the train will pass through Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine to reach Poland.

Compared with the traditional shipping route, the rail service takes less time and involves fewer changes in trains during the long journey.