I stayed on the Chinese side of the Tien Shan mate en route to the Mongolian side of the Altai.The people on the Xinjiang side are Uigurs,excellent people,and yes,I did stay in native tents when upcountry,they are nomadic people living in round felt,canvas tents called yurts,reminded me of camping in Weardale as a kid
Never saw Taigans when I was there,saw big herd guarding mongrels though.Taigans are used for Marmots,hares and fox right?