Historically, Ulanqab served as a key stop along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Since ancient times, it has functioned as a transportation hub connecting various regions within China, as well as Mongolia and Europe. Backed by the Hu-Bao-E region and facing the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, it connects to Russia, Mongolia, and Europe to the north. It represents the shortest overland route from China to the markets of Mongolia, Russia, and Europe, and serves as a vital transit point linking the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region with Russia, Mongolia, and Europe.
Ulanqab boasts a prominent geographical advantage, serving as a transportation hub connecting the three major economic regions of Northeast, North, and Northwest China. It is a key node city for the China-Europe Railway Express under the Belt and Road Initiative and the only non-provincial capital city in the country designated as a railway hub node.In 2016, the National Development and Reform Commission issued the "Development Plan for the China-Europe Railway Express (2016–2020)," designating Ulanqab as a railway hub city for the China-Europe Railway Express—the only non-provincial capital city to receive this designation;In 2018, the NDRC and the Ministry of Transport jointly issued the "National Logistics Hub Layout and Construction Plan," designating Ulanqab as one of 41 host cities for land-port-type national logistics hubs; in 2022, the Qisumu International Logistics Park was approved as a National Demonstration Zone for Innovation in Import and Export Trade Promotion.
Ulanqab boasts an extensive transportation network, with six major railway lines—the Jilin-Erlian, Jilin-Tongliao, Tangshan-Baotou, Beijing-Baotou, Beijing-Baotou Passenger Dedicated Line, and Jilin-Datong-Yuanping lines—crisscrossing the region, achieving a railway network coverage rate of 82%. Five expressways, including the Beijing-Lhasa, Beijing-Xinjiang, and Erlian-Guangzhou routes, along with National Highways 110 and 208 and one interprovincial corridor, converge within the city, making its expressway mileage among the highest in the region.
To accelerate the high-level opening-up of Ulanqab City, build a key bridgehead for China’s opening-up to the north, and establish the Ulanqab-Erenhot National Logistics Hub Park,the park was officially inaugurated on March 17, 2022. With a planned area of 66.5 square kilometers, it is dedicated to creating a new pattern of economic and trade cooperation characterized by complementary strengths and coordinated development. Focusing on commercial services, logistics services, and on-site processing industry services, it aims to establish a new “One Park, Six Zones” development framework featuring a “Railway Port + Road Port + Air Port” integrated transportation system, combined with port functions and industrial economy.