XI'AN, April 1 -- A new freight train linking China's northwestern city of Xi'an with Budapest has started operation.

The 41-carriage train loaded with garments, toys, household items and electronic products mainly made in eastern China's Yiwu City, departed from Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi Province, on Saturday afternoon.

It will leave China through the Alataw Pass in Xinjiang, and pass Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Poland before reaching its destination in Hungary.

The trip spans about 9,300 km and takes 17 days, about 30 days shorter than the previous sea and rail route.

Starting Nov. 28, 2013, Xi'an has launched 317 cargo trains to central Asia and Europe, exporting 474,000 tonnes of goods as of April 1 this year.