China's Belt and Road Initiative is injecting new life into a former Mongolian trade hub. The modern city of Ulanqab sits near the ruins of Ji Ning Lu. It connected merchants from across Asia when the Mongols ruled before suddenly collapsing centuries ago. MARK FONTES has the details.

300 kilometers northwest of Beijing, beneath the boundless grassland city of Ulanqab lies the ruin of Jininglu, a Yuan dynasty trading town that flourished during the 13th and 14th centuries. Artifacts unearthed at the site show the town was once a prosperous hub for trade, thanks to its proximity to Mongolia and Russia.

LI BIAO DIRECTOR, ULANQAB MUSEUM "The town was a hub for trade. Silk, tea, grain and ceramics were exported through here to Mongolia and Russia, and from Russia came salt, fur, and meat products."

Archeologists haven't figured out what exactly caused the downfall of Jininglu. However, centuries after Jininglu was abandoned, the city of Ulanqab is rising and aiming to once again become a hub connecting China, Mongolia, and Russia, with the help of the Belt and Road Initiative.

WANG XINYU VICE MAYOR, ULANQAB "Commodities, such as light industry products, fruits, and vegetables, from not just Inner Mongolia but the whole country are gathered here and exported to Mongolia, Russia, and Europe through China Railway Express services. Minerals and timber from Russia and Mongolia are imported to China through the returning trains."

As of July, 2018, Ulanqab has sent 33 cargo trains to Europe this year, a 161% increase year on year. Trains are reaching as far as Moscow and Minsk. With the geographical advantage, Ulanqab is to be the southern end of a logistic artery connecting China, Mongolia, and Russia called the "Three-Ulan corridor", that is, Ulanqab in China, Ulanbataar in Mongolia, and Ulan-Ude in Russia. The goal is in the future, road, rail, and air transportation in North Asia will be more integrated.

WANG XINYU VICE MAYOR, ULANQAB "Rail will be the main mode of transportation. Road networks in Ulanqab are also well developed. Trucks can enter Mongolia and Russia from here. We are also upgrading our airport."

As the Belt and Road continues to take shape, it is expected that goods will move through the vast Mongolia Steppe on a much larger scale and at a much faster speed. MARK FONTES, CGTN.