Alashankou city in Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture plays an important role as a border hub in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Taking advantage of its geographic location, the city is a western gate for China on the Belt and Road route. It connects more than 30 countries and regions globally and 11 provinces domestically. More than 10,000 trains carrying goods between China and Europe have passed through here. It has seen a steep increase in the number of China-Europe freight trains and freight volume in 2019. Photos: Yang Hui/GT