The weight of an adult Ili pika is 240 grams and the body length is about 160-200 mm. The length of the ears and hind legs is the largest in the genus Pika. The whiskers are very long, over 8 cm. The coat color is brighter, with 3 brown spots on the forehead and the side of the neck, obvious rust-brown spots on the forehead and top, and a light-colored spot on the nape of the neck.

Ili pika is a herbivorous animal, mostly with nasturtium, saxifrage , snow lotus and other alpine plants for food.