The Ili River flows west through Yining and across the border into Kazakhstan, one of the few major rivers in Xinjiang that actually exits China rather than disappearing into the desert. It runs through a broad valley between the Tian Shan ranges to the north and south, fed by snowmelt from peaks that stay white well into summer, and the combination of water and fertile soil gives the valley its lush character.
The riverside parks along the Ili in Yining are pleasant for walking — particularly in the morning, when the light comes in from the east and the mountains are visible before cloud builds on the upper ridges. The river banks downstream of the city are more agricultural in character, with fruit orchards and small farms along the floodplain. The road west from Yining toward Khorgos and the Kazakh border follows the river and shows the valley at its widest and most fertile.
Boat trips on the Ili are available from the municipal riverside area; these give a water-level view of the valley and the cultivated hillsides above the bank. The trip is gentle and the scenery is pleasant rather than dramatic.