In 2011 when the first freight train left Chongqing for Duisburg in Germany, it marked the official launch of the China-Europe rail freight service. Faster than a ship and cheaper than a plane, the route ushered in a new era for rail freight. The launch of the Belt and Road Initiative two years later put it on a fast track to development. Seen as a "Belt and Road on rails," the service gave a new energy to the efforts to revive the ancient trading Silk Road route.

Imports from Europe to China have expanded rapidly. As a result, freight trains from Europe to Chongqing now outnumbered outbound trains – in 2018, 728 trains traveled from Europe to Chongqing, 14 more than the number of outbound trips. The goods imported via the train service have also diversified to include electronics, cars, auto parts, and food. They're even used to help deliver the mail.

One reason why Chongqing is a good transit hub for rail freight is the city's location at the Yangtze River Economic Zone. This means the city is linked to China's huge domestic markets. And a series of technological advancements made by local companies and faster customs process has also contributed to the increase in imports.