Barkul

Barkul occupies high grassland north of the eastern Tian Shan, where mountain ranges enclose a basin opening toward the Gobi. The county's past begins in the old territory of Pulei. During the Han–Xiongnu wars, Emperor Xuan sent General Zhao Chongguo in 72 BC to attack the Xiongnu together with the Wusun. After the Northern Wei, Rouran and Gaoche long competed for the Pulei grasslands. In 710, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang sent three thousand Yiwu troops to build a city in Ganluchuan, at the site later known as the ancient city of Dahe.

Under the Yuan dynasty, Barkul lay on the eastern border of Bechbaliq Province. The Ming saw it within Oirat territory, and the Qing annexed it to Hami in 1697. A city was built in 1731; further offices, a military city and Zhenxi House followed. Barkul became the regional command centre for the Qing campaign to pacify the Dzungars.

The wide pastures sustained the horse and camel breeding for which the area was known, including the Barkol horse and its Bactrian camels.