The mountain scenery and ice peaks of Shule

The mountain scenery and ice peaks of Shule

The mountain scenery and ice peaks of Shule

After passing through "Mantang" (meaning "source of herbs"), known as a wildlife paradise and a land rich in traditional Chinese medicinal plants, you will see a range of uniquely shaped and vibrantly colored peaks, rugged and layered. Some pierce the clouds, while others stretch out in long, winding ridges. Gangger Xueheli is snow-white, Gaba Maerdangri is crimson red, Sulfur Mountain is pale yellow, Mantang Rigen is indigo blue, Gangcewuji Mountain is emerald green, each displaying its own unique color, creating a vibrant spectrum. Due to the effects of wind, rain, and sunlight, some peaks resemble a Tibetan girl’s dress adorned with red, yellow, green, and purple sashes, appearing especially graceful, while others look like mountain roads paved with gravel of the same color, mysterious and unfathomable. Centered around the polar region of the southern Shule Mountains, there are 438 Quaternary glaciers, covering a total area of 496.42 square kilometers with an estimated ice volume of nearly 30 cubic kilometers. These glaciers form a massive solid reservoir. They spread from the northwest to the southeast, covering various peaks and valleys, with jagged horn peaks and knife-edge ridges.

When viewed from a distance, the vast expanse of white ice and snow creates a breathtaking snowy world, while up close, the glittering and oddly shaped ice formations reveal their intricate details. The front edges of the glaciers, known as ice tongues, extend and retract with the changing heat of the seasons; the trailing moraines appear and disappear with fluctuations in temperature; the ice caps atop the peaks interlock in jagged patterns following the contours of the mountains, shining brilliantly under the sun; large expanses of ice forests vary in height and shape as the glaciers shift, and the cirque basins shaped like armchairs differ somewhat between the east and west. The U-shaped glacial valleys are distributed across both the north and south. When it snows, everything turns a pristine white, making it hard to tell sky from ground; when the wind picks up, a deep, rumbling sound echoes through the skies; on clear, sunny days, the area is serene and tranquil. Truly ever-changing and shrouded in mystery.

During crisp autumn weather, when observing the majestic and winding glacier landscapes, you’ll see ice crystals formed by water vapor and mist that create a layer of gossamer-like ice fog over the glaciers in the morning light, adding an exceptionally enchanting touch. Floating tiny particles form needle-like ice crystals, resulting in extraordinary weather phenomena that sparkle under the sunlight. Glacier plants, generated by single-celled algae and fungi, display hues of red, yellow, green, and brown, interwoven into a dazzling spectacle that is both refreshing to the spirit and hard to leave behind.