塔城地区

Why this place

Tacheng is a prefecture in northern Xinjiang, on the Kazakhstan border, and it is grassland and oil country — the Karamay oil field extends into it, and the Tarbagatai mountains rise along the border. It is Kazakh herding country with some very empty country roads.

What to see

• The Tarbagatai Mountains and the border grassland
• The Emin and Yumin counties, with Kazakh and Mongol herding culture
• The old Silk Road northern route sites, and the Kunes grassland

What to eat

• Kazakh and Mongol food: boiled mutton, milk tea and dairy
• Tacheng is known for its 'emin' and its local wheat products

Best time

June–September