Huiyuan Ancient City & Ili General's Mansion
惠远古城·伊犁将军府
The foremost of the “Nine Cities of Ili” in the Qing dynasty and the seat of Xinjiang’s highest military and administrative authority. The Bell and Drum Towers and the General’s Mansion tell a century of Ili’s frontier history.
Huiyuan City was first built during the Qianlong era and served as the seat of the Qing Ili General, the military and administrative center governing both the northern and southern Tianshan regions. After the old city was destroyed by floods and war, a new city was rebuilt during the Guangxu era, and this is today’s Huiyuan Ancient City. The Bell and Drum Tower at the city center is a three-story pavilion with double eaves, and climbing it gives a view over the old city. To the east, the Ili General’s Mansion has been restored as the general’s government offices, and it houses an exhibition on the history of Ili in the Qing period. The scenic area sells combined tickets, and prices are confirmed on site. It is located in Huiyuan Town, Huocheng County, about 35 kilometers from Yining city, roughly 40 minutes by car. It can be combined with the Huocheng Lavender Garden or Khorgas in a day trip.
Opening hours
10:00–19:30 (per scenic area announcements)
Nearby sights
- Jingyuan Temple & Qapqal Xibe Culture
- Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Museum
- Lin Zexu Memorial Museum, Ili
- Liuxing Street, Yining
- Ili River Bridge & Riverside
- Baytulla Mosque
- Kazanqi Folk Tourism Area
- Shaanxi Great Mosque of Yining