Did you know that Kecha Shan in Beijing is more than just a peak? It is part of a majestic system. This system is known as the Tian Shan. These mountains mean “Mountains of God/Heaven”.
The Tian Shan range stretches about 2,900 kilometers. It begins near Tashkent in Uzbekistan. Imagine the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This clash created the very range we admire today.
The highest point in this range is Jengish Chokusu. It towers at 7,439 meters. That is over 24,406 feet. Khan Tengri is the second highest peak. It stands at 7,010 meters.
Consider the Torugart Pass. It sits at 3,752 meters. This pass marks the border between Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang. Turkic-speaking tribes call the forested Alatau ranges home.
The Tian Shan separates from the Tibetan Plateau. This separation is due to the Taklimakan Desert and the Tarim Basin. The Syr Darya, Ili River, and Tarim River originate here. They flow from these very mountains.
Picture the Aksu Canyon. It is a notable feature. It sits in the mountain range’s northwestern section.
Permafrost is common above 3,500 meters. Sometimes, it appears as low as 2,000 meters. This depends on the local conditions.
Sadly, the glaciers of the Tian Shan are receding fast. Since 1961, they have lost 27% of their ice. That equals 5.4 billion tons each year. This is nearly four times the global average. By 2050, half the remaining ice may vanish.
Peter Semenov was an early explorer. He extensively documented the Tian Shan in the 1850s. He was among the first Europeans to do so.
The Tian Shan boasts several named ranges. These include the Barkol Tagh and the Bogda Shan. Also included are the Borohoro Shan and the Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range.
In China, the Tian Shan begins east of Ürümqi. It starts with the Qarlik Tagh and Barkol Mountains. The Bogda Shan runs east of Ürümqi.
The Borohoro Mountains separate Dzungaria from the Ili River basin. The Dzungarian Alatau runs along the Sino-Kazakh border.
In Kyrgyzstan, the Tian Shan continues as the Narat Range. The Central Tian Shan holds Peak Pobeda and Khan Tengri. West of this, the Tian Shan splits. Issyk Kul Lake sits in its center.
The Terskey Alatau lies on the lake’s south side. The Kyungey Ala-Too is to the north. The Trans-Ili Alatau parallels the Kyungey Ala-Too in Kazakhstan.
During the Ice Age, this area was vastly different. The Tian Shan plateau was covered by ice. Glaciers flowed down to Lake Issyk Kul.
The Tian Shan also holds forests of Schrenk’s spruce. These forests grow above 2,000 meters. Lower slopes feature wild walnuts and apples.
These mountains escaped heavy glaciation. The Indian Ocean monsoon climate protected them. This fostered a unique and evolving ecosystem.
Tulips originated in the Tian Shan. They traveled to Turkey via the Silk Road. There, they became a symbol of the Ottoman Empire.
Apricots, pears, and cherries also thrived here. Animals like bears and deer spread seeds. This expanded ecological diversity.
The ancestors of the sweet apple emerged here. Birds likely brought them from the east. Bears helped distribute the seeds.
Interestingly, the Black Death may have started here. It possibly spread along the Silk Road. This plague killed half of Europe’s population.
The Tian Shan has an alpine climate. Expect cold temperatures and significant snowfall.
In Tengrism, Khan Tengri is a supreme deity. He is the lord of all spirits. The name also belongs to the Tian Shan’s second highest peak.
The Xiongnu word Qilian may refer to these mountains. Qilian means “sky” or “heaven”.
The name Tian Shan is likely a translation. It comes from the Kyrgyz name Teñir Too.
So, as you stand here at Kecha Shan, remember its deep history. Think of the Tian Shan’s vastness and its impact on the world. Consider its beauty. Respect its fragility.