China is known for chasing superlatives -- now it can add marathon train journeys to its growing list of unparalleled achievements . On December 9 , a Chinese freight train , dubbed Yixin'ou , completed a journey of epic proportions : more than 13,000 kilometers , snaking across eight countries and lasting a total of 21 days , making it the longest continuous train ride in the world . The train set off from Yiwu in eastern China on November 18 , chugging its way through Kazakhstan , Russia , Belarus , Poland , Germany and France , before ending its journey in Spain 's capital , Madrid . The train carried 30 containers full of toys , stationery and other items . It 'll bring back Spanish products , including wine , olive oil and cured hams , in an effort the Spanish hope will expand their trade footprint in China . Spanish Minister of Public Works and Transport Ana Pastor called the journey `` a major milestone for the rail industry . '' The trip was a test run to gauge the possibility of establishing regular service between China and Spain to boost bilateral trade . Madrid Mayor Ana Botella Serrano dubbed it the `` Silk Road of the 21st century . '' Regular train services between China and Germany already exist , connecting Chongqing with Duisburg , and Beijing with Hamburg . Earlier this year , Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a Silk Road Fund , part of which will be dedicated to developing trade infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region .
Yiwu , a Spanish freight train , completed the world 's longest train journey . The 21-day train trip left Spain in November and spanned 30 countries , completing its run in China . The journey was a test run for regular cargo service between China and Spain .