Ili

River in Central Asia, crossing the territory of Kazakhstan and China; total length (including its main headstream, the Tekes) 1,439 km/894 mi. The Ili rises from two headstreams in the Tien Shan mountain range, the Tekes (Chinese Te-kossu), and the Kunges (Chinese Kung-chissu). It flows west through Kazakhstan and empties into Lake Balkhash through a wide delta.

The Ili is navigable for light vessels from Gulja (Chinese Yining) in the Chinese region of Xinjiang Uygur to Bakanas. A dam built near the town of Kapchaga in 1970 created a large reservoir, and has reduced the flow of water down the river to Lake Balkhash.