Huocheng

Introduction

Huocheng County, also known as Korgas County, sits in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, administered as part of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. It lies between Yining and the border city of Khorgas, and its residents belong to twenty-nine ethnic groups, among them Han and Uyghur.

Three days in Huocheng

Day one: Base yourself in Huocheng County, in the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and spend your first hours getting a feel for the town's mix of Han and Uyghur life. Use the day to orient yourself and to plan the onward stretches of your trip.

Day two: Head for Khorgas, in Korgas County, and give yourself time to take in the border setting and the surrounding landscape. It is a long day out, so keep your schedule loose and return to Huocheng County in the evening.

Day three: Travel to Yining, the other main urban centre within reach of your base. Wander its streets, eat well, and let the day move at an unhurried pace before heading back to Huocheng County.