Glacier No 1 of Tianshan mountains
2 min readGlacier no 1 of Tianshan mountains known as the “living fossil of glacier”is located in the Tianger Mountain of 120km southwest to Urumqi, which is the source of Urumqi river, and it is the glacier with the shortest distance to metropolis in the world, and the average elevation of 4,000m. In the source region of Urumqi River, there are five contemporary glaciers of No. 1 to No. 5; the Glacier No I has the typical landform and sediments, and the remains and features of the ancient glacier are well preserved.
The internal of glacier is crystal blue with cracks going widely on the ice surface; and the pyramid-like horns, serrated ridges, arc-shaped glacial drifts as well as the roaring glacial rivers are all stunning with unique charms, above the elevation of 3, 500m while belowthe Glacier No. 1, the layered trough valleys, rock steps, rock basins, cirques and the sheep-back-like roche moutonnee, and other glacial landscapes can be found; and in the valley which is above the elevation of 2, 800m, the glacial debris of various periods are preserved In the sunshine, the light blue and crystal glacier fall is dazzling and spectacular which is an excellent scenic spot for adventurous tour. In addition, one can also enjoy the unique scenery of the vertical landscape of Tianshan mountains experience the uncannyworkmanship of nature and the magical creation power of the earth, and understand thehistory of millions of years of the Urumqi River and the vicissitudes of the Tianshan Mountains.
In 1959, Lanzhou Institute of Glaciology and Cryopedology, Chinese Academy of Sciences built the Tianshan Glaciers Research Station here, which is the only glaciers research station opening to the world in China.
