Glacier of Geladandong

Glacier of Geladandong

The Glacier of Geladandong is situated in Tanggula Mountain Township, Golmud City. In Tibetan, "Geladandong" means "high and sharply pointed mountain peak," with an elevation of 6,620 meters, while Jianggendiru reaches 6,548 meters. There are two large semi-circular glaciers to the north and south — the southern branch is 12.8 kilometers long and 1.6 kilometers wide, and its glacier terminus features an ice tower forest stretching two kilometers. This towering icy mountain massif and the crystal-clear, glistening glaciers are the source of the mighty Yangtze River. Within the ice tower forest, there are towering ice pillars, delicate ice stalagmites, rainbow-like ice bridges, and mysterious ice caves. Pristine and magnificent, it forms an extraordinarily beautiful natural art gallery. The surrounding area consists of pristine natural grasslands, home to rare wildlife such as Tibetan wild yaks, Tibetan wild asses, Tibetan antelopes, and snowcocks. It is an ideal destination for adventure tourism, mountaineering, exploration, and scientific research.

The Geladandong Ice Mountain Group is a type of mountain glacier. The ice tower forest, which rises up to sixty or seventy meters high, is like silver-armored sentinels reaching into the clouds, standing closely together. Some resemble sky-supporting jade pillars, others like crystalline skyscrapers, some like cold, sword-like peaks stabbing into the heavens, and others like uniquely shaped towers and pinnacles in various forms. Within the ice tower forest, there are towering ice pillars, delicate ice stalagmites, rainbow-like ice bridges, mysterious ice caves, as well as exquisitely carved ice cirques, ice tongues, ice lakes, and ice gullies... A marvel of nature, pure and pristine, it is truly an extraordinarily beautiful natural art gallery. In summer and autumn, the mountains are draped in silvery white, while the foothills bloom with wildflowers. The ice crystal stones found near the Geladandong Ice Peak at elevations above six kilometers are known as the "treasures of the river source."