Final answer:
The Mongols invaded China in 1211, led by Chinggis Khan, and controlled Northern China as part of their massive empire, which facilitated a period of increased cultural and economic exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1211, the Mongols invaded China and ended up controlling all of its northern region. This military campaign was part of a wider series of conquests led by Chinggis Khan, who built the Mongol Empire into the largest contiguous empire in history. Despite initial raids and conflicts with neighboring states such as the Tanguts and the Jurchen, it was not until 1211 that the Mongols made substantial inroads into northern China, building towards their eventual domination of the region.
Their conquests were not limited to China, as the Mongols expanded across much of Asia, creating a vast empire that stretched from Europe to the Pacific Ocean. Under Mongol rule, there was a significant increase in the exchange of goods, culture, and ideas, leading to a period known as the Pax Mongolica, which facilitated trade and interactions between previously disconnected parts of the world.