Borders Kazakhstan via the Khorgos (霍尔果斯) port - one of China's most important western land trade gateways. Kazakh and Uyghur populations are large here. The county's full Uyghur name is Qorghas nahiyisi.
Huocheng is one of the world's three major lavender-growing regions (alongside Provence and Hokkaido). Every June–July the purple fields draw photographers and tourists; lavender oil and dried sachets are the county's signature export.
