Kunlun Mountains

China / Xinjiang / Hetian /
 mountain, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Kunlun Mountains, known as the "Spine of Asia", tower north of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau 6,000 meters above sea level, starting from the Pamirs Plateau in the west and extending 2,500 kilometers eastward along the boundary of Xinjiang and Tibet. Viewed from a distance, the snow-covered peaks of the Kunlun Mountains crisscrossed by glaciers look like a huge silvery dragon wreathed in clouds. In spring, when the ice and snow begin to melt on such imposing peaks as Muztag (7,723 meters), Muztagata (7,546 meters) and Kongur (7,719 meters) streams of melt-water flow over the dry land of northwest China and into the Yangtze River and Huanghe river.
The altitude of the highest peak reaches 6,860 meters. The mountains inside Qinghai all belong to the Kunlun Mountain Range, which used to be respected as the origin of all mountains or the mountain of dragon in ancient times. Many fairy tales have something to do with Kunlun Mountain, such as Chang'e (the goddess of the moon), Xi You Ji (Pilgrim to the West), and Bai She Zhuan (Legend of the White Snake). The Kunlun mountain pass is 160 kilometers to the south of Golmud, and the altitude rises from 2,800 meters to 4,700 meters abruptly and the temperature and air pressure drop accordingly. Kunlun is not only famous for its grandeur but also the colour jade it produces, and the jade is called Kunlun Jade.
The Kunlun range as it runs east splits into three branches: the Altun range, which becomes the Qilian Mountains; the Qiangtag range; and the Hohxil range, which becomes the Bayanhar range. The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway crosses the Western part of the Kunlun Mountain Area. The Kunlun range is also the southern boundary of the Tarim Basin, while the Tian Shan mountains are the northern boundary.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   36°9'2"N   83°59'35"E

Comments

  • For information of traveling here in the early 1900s read the books of Sven Hedin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sven_Hedin
  • The outline is too small and offset. Actual Kunlun outline should at least include the Earthquake location.
  • akhil99 is all correct but the indian defence forces are a bit planning to take over the area.
This article was last modified 9 years ago