History of Western Regions—The Passing Waters of Ancient Rivers and the Ili

Author: Xue Zongzheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: Today's Ili River was known as Yiliwater during the Han Dynasty, Yilishui during the Tang Dynasty, and Yile River during the Yuan Dynasty. Yili, Yili, Yile, and Ili are all homophonic variations with different spellings, yet the river has retained the same name for thousands of years. This inland giant, originating from the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, spans approximately 1,500 kilometers in length. With turbulent waves, it flows through the Ili region of China for about 442 kilometers before curving westward to the Balkhash Lake. The Ili River and its surroundings form a complete natural geographical unit, as well as a regional unit in Chinese history. During the Han Dynasty, it fell under the indirect jurisdiction of the Western Regions Protectorate. In the Tang Dynasty, it belonged to the Mengchi Protectorate under the Anxi and Beiting Protectorates. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was part of the Alimaliq Circuit. Until the signing of the "Sino-Russian Agreement on the Division of the Northwest Frontier" and the "Sino-Russian Ili Treaty" during the Qing Dynasty, Ili was still divided into Eastern and Western routes. Although the Ili region now under China's jurisdiction is limited to the former Eastern Route, the passage of time has brought about immense changes in the history of this ancient river. Let us trace its origins and explore the dramatic transformations it has undergone over the centuries.