Ili River is an important cross border river between China and Kazakhstan. In recent years, the eco-environmental changes in the basin are highly concerned by China and Kazakhstan. Based on MODIS data, the dynamic change of maximum vegetation coverage in Ili River basin from 2000 to 2014 was analysed. The pixel binary model was applied to calculate the vegetation coverage. The vegetation coverage gradually increased from west to east in the river basin,and the maximum vegetation coverage is fluctuated among years, with relatively great fluctuating range. Vegetation coverage in the basin experienced a process of "slow recovery after a recession" in the last 15 years, and it is basically stable after 2010. According to the spatial patterns change of vegetation coverage, it was found that the areas with low vegetation coverage showed a gradual trend of restoration, but the areas with moderate vegetation coverage showed a gradual trend of degradation. These could be related to regional climate change and human activity. In addition, the vegetation coverage in the delta region, Ili River valley, the upper and middle reaches of Ili River basin has a deterioration trend, which should be paid enough attention.