Yili and Changji are near Kashgar.

In contrast, Changji is closer to Kashgar.

Changji is located at the northern foot of Tianshan Mountain, on the southeast edge of Junggar Basin, and adjacent to Kashgar in southwest Xinjiang. Distance from Changji to Kashgar1498km, driving time19hr. Yili is located in the Ili Valley at the northern foot of Tianshan Mountain in the west of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 20 hours' drive from Kashgar 1286 km.

Generally speaking, Changji is closer to Kashgar and Yili is relatively far away.