History of the Tacheng Area
Bordering Kazakhstan in northwestern Xinjiang, Tacheng is an ancient city that once served as an important commercial town on the northern Silk Road. It is still a center for trade with Central Asia. In the hopes of expanding trade, a 50,000 square meter commercial center is currently being built. The Tacheng area is home to 22 minority groups including the Hui, Kazak, Uyger, Mongol and even a Russian minority group. The area of focus includes 2 cities (Tacheng,Wusu) and five counties (Emin, Yumin, Shawan, Hebukesaier, & Tuoli) covering 300,000 square kilometers. This area currently has no center to care for orphans.