Site of the Ili General's Office

　　Introduction    　　Ili has always been an important gateway from Xinjiang to Central Asia. Historically, many towns were built here to guard the border and develop trade. During the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong established the position of Ili General in order to strengthen governance in the region. He founded Huiyuan City and subsequently built eight satellite towns around it—Huining, Suiding, Guangren, Ningyuan, Zhande, Gongchen, Xi, and Ta’erqi—collectively known as the “Nine Cities of Ili.” The best-preserved of these is Huiyuan City, the foremost of the Nine Cities, which served as the center of military and political power in China’s western frontier and the location of the Ili General’s Office. Today, the site of the old General’s Office remains within the city, with its main gate, central halls, winding paths, corridors, and the General’s Pavilion still retaining their historic charm. At the heart of the ancient Huiyuan City stands a grand and imposing Bell and Drum Tower. Climbing to the top offers panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. Historically, notable exiled scholars such as Hong Liangji, Qi Yunshi, Lin Zexu, Deng Tingzhen, and Xu Song all left remarkable legacies here. Lin Zexu led efforts to develop water conservancy projects and strengthen border defenses for the benefit of the local people, earning the respect and trust of the Ili General and the various ethnic communities. Although Lin Zexu only spent two years in Huiyuan, many of his diaries, poems, and letters have been preserved.   Admission/Fees & Opening Hours      15 RMB   

　　 Xinjiang Ili