World’s Longest Train Journey Opens, Spanning China to Europe Share

A new train route spanning from Yiwu, China to Madrid, Spain held its inaugural journey November 18, 2014, covering more than 6,200 miles and taking approximately 21 days.

The distance is the longest route taken by a freight train, beating out Russia’s well-known Trans-Siberian Railway. 

Called by some the “New Silk Road,” the route transverses Central Asia and Europe and brings with it a deeper connection between China and the markets of Europe. 

The Yiwu-Madrid line serves trains pulling 82 cargo wagons. 

The new rail is one among many high-speed train developments in China, which is home to the world’s longest bullet train network and the world’s longest high-speed link.