Ili is in the northwest of Xinjiang. There are 13 ethnic groups in this region. Yining, the capital city, is 60km east of the Kazakhstan border and 400km northwest of Urumqi.

Ili is a unique region in the vast, dry land of Xinjang. It often rains and the weather is mild. So there are plenty of meadows and fruits in the valleys. In ancient times, Ili was a crucial city on the north line of the Silk Road. Now it is an important trading center in West China, as well as a tourist city. The main attractions are in Yining city and Huocheng.

Comments posted by Chinese Net Friends:

On January 5th, 2003 tiaozaozao said:
Never miss the annual Nadamu and Aobao get-together. It is generally held between July and August. However, meals cost too much, so I suggest you have your meals after climbing down the mountain passing the Fruit Valley(Guozi Gou). On the way to Bayinbuluke you pass Gongnaisi Forest Farm. There are beautiful yellow flowers and authentic honey here.

Climate:
Ili Valley, commonly known as the "humid island" of the desert, has a pleasant climate most of the year, especially in comparison with elsewhere in Xinjiang. The four seasons here are clearly marked and all seasons offer some nice scenery and views. The most popular time to visit here is between July and September, when flowers and fruits are in harvest and the sky is clear enough to offer wonderful views over the Tian Shan Mountains.

Ancient Burial Sites:
Scattered across the fields and valleys of Ili, the observant traveller will notice small mounds of stone and statues dotted about the vast pastures and fields. These stones are actually ancient prairie grave mounds, which still remain clearly visible after thousands of years of exposure to the elements and warring troops.

In ancient times, the people of the Ili valley would bury their ancestors and construct huge stone statues in their honour at the graveside. Many of these statues are made with an entire piece of rock and some are almost lifelike, including details such as clothing, ornaments and jewellery. Others are more simple, consisting of a small pile of stones in the field marking the spot where the deceased is buried. According to historical records, the Ili River Valley was once inhabited by Turks, whose customs included displaying the corpse of a loved one or relative in front of the tent or home, offering sheep or cattle carcasses as sacrifice to the gods, burying loved ones on important dates and erecting stone statues of the deceased atop the grave. Archaeologists believe that the majority of these statues which remain today, are the work of the Turks in Xinjiang.

Horses from Heaven:
Ili horses are known in the region as 'Horses from Heaven', and were first given this title by the Emperor Wu during the Han dynasty. During the Qing dynasty, horses became crucial in terms of warfare and military strategy and emperors sought to find the strongest and most effective type of horse to defend their lands with.

The Ili horse is well-favored. It is a large beast and very strong and can fight disease well. This type of horse is one of the finest in China. The Ili horse saddle is also an important factor in the might of the animal. Made with great care, the saddle is a unique design and hugely popular throughout Xinjiang. The manufacturing process involves numerous procedures including saddle-rack making, leather-making, carving and mosaic printing. The leather of the saddle is painted with pretty patterns, often flowers, and decorated with gold, silver and bronze.