Xinjiang Tianshan Mountain
Xinjiang Tianshan Mountain comprises four components: Tomur, Kalajun-kuerdening, Bayinbukuke and Bogda. They are part of the Tianshan mountain system of Central Asia, which is the largest mountain chain in the world’s temperate arid region, and the largest isolated east-west mountain range globally.
The beauty of the Tianshan Mountain lies not only in its spectacular snow-capped mountains and glacier-capped peaks, beautiful forests and meadows, clear rivers and lakes and red bed canyons, but also in the combination and contrast between the mountain elements and the vast deserts. The stark difference of bare rocks on its south slope and luxuriant forest and meadow on the north creates a striking visual contrast of environments which are hot and cold, dry and wet, desolate and luxuriant – and of exceptional beauty.
Tianshan Mountain is also an outstanding example of ongoing biological and ecological evolutionary process in a temperate arid zone. Altitudinal vegetation distributions, significant differences between north and south slopes, and diversity of flora, all illustrate the biological and ecological evolution of the Pamir-tianshan Highlands. Tianshan has outstanding biodiversity and is an important habitat for relic species, and numerous rare and endangered species, as well as endemic species. It provides an excellent example of the gradual replacement of the original warm and wet flora by modern xeric Mediterranean flora.
Among the many wonderful spots distributed in the mountain, Tianchi, literally meaning Heavenly Lake, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. It is half way up the north side of the Bogda peak and is tiny. The lake itself is 3.5 km from south to north and 0.8-1.5 km from east to west, but a 380-square-km scenic region is formed with it as the center. Previously known as Yaochi (Jade Lake), it features a clear and calm lake of water that mirrors the snow-capped peaks and greenery surrounding it. This and many other beautiful spots in the region attract tourists in the millions each year.