Ever since ancient times, ethnic Mongolian nomads have lived on grasslands of Inner Mongolia, roving about in search of water and grass for their animal herds. Yurts, also known as "Mongolian tents", are their mobile homes, which are easy to strike for transport and reassemble.

    A typical yurt is round, about two meters high and four to six meters in diameter, in fact a web of wooden beams and bars covered all over with felt. It has an opening at the top to admit in air and light, and a stove in the middle for cooking and heating. Inside the yurt, the ground is carpeted, and the walls are gaily decorated with tapestries.

    Tents used by ethnic Khazak nomads in Western Xinjiang are much the same. The difference is that the felt covering the lower part of a Khazak tent can be rolled up for light and ventilation.