Historically many towns have been built in Yili to guard the border and promote trade, as geographi­cally Yili has been an im­portant pass connecting the hinterland and Cen­tral Asia. To enhance ad­ministration in Yili area, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty appointed a general of Yili, built the city of Huiyuan, and later built around it eight satel­lite cities—Huining, Suid-ing, Guangren, Ningyuan, Zhande, Gongchen, Xi, and Taerqi. Together they are called the "Nine Cities of Yili." The Yili general's mansion was built in the city of Huiyuan, which had once been a military and political center in western China, and the mansion, with its main gate, halls, corridors, and general's pavilion, retains a lingering charm. At the center of the ancient city of Huiyuan is a tall and impressive bell tower. From the top of the tower, visitors can have a panoramic view of the whole city.