The first regular cargo trains linking Central China's Hunan province and Germany will enter service on Oct 30, local authorities announced on Wednesday.

The railway begins in Changsha, capital of Hunan, crosses the border into Kazakhstan at Alataw Pass in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and passes through Russia, Belarus and Poland before reaching its terminus in Germany's Duisburg at the heart of Europe.

It only takes 18 days to transport goods from Changsha to Duisburg along the 11,808-km line while the sea route normally takes 40 to 60 days, said Luo Zhuan, deputy head of the provincial port.

The line will likely see increased exports from Hunan to Europe of products including tea, porcelain, chemicals and machinery, said Luo.

Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality opened a similar cargo railway linking Duisburg in April.