Yining Photo

About Yining: Yining is situated in the far northwest of Xinjiang in the center of the Ili River Plain. Formerly known as Ningyuan, the city was first built in 1762. It was one of nine fortified towns built along the Ili River during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, the city is the capital of Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture. Popular attractions include the offices of a Qing dynasty military official, Shaanxi Mosque, Baidula Mosque, Huolong Cave, the Ili Grasslands and the Ili River.