The Yanqi Hui Autonomous County is made up of 4 towns and 4 townships:[2] Others: See Karasahr.

The county economy is predominantly agricultural with 13,000 hectares used to cultivate red pepper.

[6] The county is considered the most important area for red pepper production in China.

[6] During the red pepper harvest season beginning in September, the county is home to the remarkable sight of drying peppers sitting in the Gobi Desert "as far as the eye can see".

[6] As of 1885[update], there was about 25,300 acres (167,805 mu) of cultivated land in Kara Shahr.