The Chilik[1] (Russian: Чилик), Shilik (Kazakh: Шілік),[2] or Shelek (Kazakh: Шелек) is a major river in the Almaty Region in the Republic of Kazakhstan, one of the largest left tributaries of the Ili, and the main waterway of southeastern Kazakhstan.

The Bartogay reservoir has been created on the river, from where the Great Almaty canal begins.

Also in the river valley are the villages of Malybai, Bijanova, Bayseit, Sarybulak, Milyanfan and Masak.

The Chilik, in its upper course Jangyryk, is 245 kilometres (152 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 4,980 square kilometres (1,920 sq mi)[4] It originates on the Jangyryk glacier, on the southern slope of Trans-Ili Alatau.

[5] The average annual water discharge is 63 km from the mouth 32.2 m3 per sec.