This famous river irrigates farmlands in the northwest. It originates from the west­ern part of the Tianshan range in Xinjiang, running more than 249 miles inside China and covering a to­tal drainage area of about 138 acres. It has the largest amount of water among all rivers in Xinjiang, with its runoff about one-fifth of the total. In the upper reaches are the Tekesi, Gongnai-si, and Kashi rivers. The Tekesi, originating from the north side of Hantenggeli Peak, is the major source of water in the upper reaches of Yili. The river runs west to Yining. After the Kashi joins , the river runs onto the wide plains in the val­ley. The resulting riverbed is extremely wide due to the confluence of so many tributaries. After joining the Huoerguosi River, the Yili flows into the territory of Kazakhstan and finally into the lake of Baerkashi. The middle and lower reaches of the Yili River are stable and slow, making the area from Yama Ferry to the borderline inside China open to steamships. Near Yining, the riverbed is more than a half-mile wide. There are many beaches, cays, and isles, where the scenery is beautiful and the air is cool. The large riverside park is a wonderful place for recreation.