Road-rail service links China’s plateau city with Nepal

A freight train loaded with new energy vehicles departed on Wednesday from Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province in northwest China, bound for Kathmandu, Nepal. This marks a significant advancement in economic and trade relations between Qinghai and the South Asian nation.

The cargo will first reach Xigaze in the Xizang Autonomous Region, where it will be transferred to trucks for overland transport via the Gyirong Port, a key trade hub on the China-Nepal border. The entire journey to Kathmandu is expected to take approximately 15 to 20 days.

Qinghai has capitalized on its strategic geographic location in recent years to support the outward-oriented development of its major industries, according to the provincial commerce department.

Since 2016, Qinghai has facilitated 419 international freight train services to destinations in Europe, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia. These trains have been crucial in maintaining efficient import and export operations.

The newly introduced road-rail freight service is expected to enhance trade between China and Nepal, particularly benefiting the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and nearby regions.