Yining Travel Guide

Traveled there in 1994!  Came in the "back door" to China- over one of the old silk road routes.  Expected it too be really run down and dirty- full of coal dust.  Ended up in the first privately built hotel in that province- beautiful!  The Hong Chinese side of town was very nice and "modern"- the Uigur (Muslim) side of town was very degraded- obviously poor people and high unemployment.  Food was excellent!  Real Chinese food is MUCH spicier/hotter than expected- and the Uigur food is a little bit bland- lots of noodles!  Be prepared for Asian toilets- grooves in the ground with and without running water.  In other words, crouching not sitting!!!