Kunlun Mountains

Kunlun Mountains

Kunlun Mountains

The Kunlun Mountains, known as the "Ancestor of All Mountains," are famed for their towering and majestic presence. Countless splendid and enchanting legends and mythological tales have been passed down through the ages in connection with the Kunlun Mountains. Ancient myths such as Kuafu Chasing the Sun, the Yellow Emperor Consuming and Casting Jade, and the Candle Dragon Illuminating the Nine Suns all originated from the Kunlun. Throughout history, countless historical events, legendary figures, and poets have been captivated by the Kunlun, with numerous things named after it. The famous poet Qu Yuan wrote in his "Nine Songs · River God": “I would go with you to the valleys fair, / Where gusts rise up and billows run in pairs. / I’d ride a water-chariot, lotus-leaf o’ercast, / With dragons yoked and hornless dragons harnessed fast. / Ascend the Kunlun heights and look around, / My heart exults and soars with joyful sound.” This expressed his longing for the Kunlun, further sparking immense interest and awe toward the Kunlun Mountains among later generations. A one-day tour of the beautiful Kunlun Mountains in Yutian will allow you to admire quaint highland villages, simple highland families, take in the beauty of snow-capped mountains and grasslands, Guanyin Terrace, well-preserved volcanic cones, glaciers, and alpine lakes. Walking along the winding and rugged mountain roads gives you the sensation of traveling through clouds and mist, with steep cliffs beneath your feet—offering a surreal, mysterious, and awe-inspiring experience. It also provides the unique feeling of standing atop the Kunlun, holding the blue sky above, and standing firm between heaven and earth. By the end of the one-day journey, visitors are left with the impression that “after seeing the Kunlun, no other mountains compare.”

In the song "River God," he writes: “I would go with you to the valleys fair, / Where gusts rise up and billows run in pairs. / I’d ride a water-chariot, lotus-leaf o’ercast, / With dragons yoked and hornless dragons harnessed fast. / Ascend the Kunlun heights and look around, / My heart exults and soars with joyful sound.”

I would ride a water-chariot, lotus-leaf o’ercast, / With dragons yoked and hornless dragons harnessed fast. / Ascend the Kunlun heights and look around, / My heart exults and soars with joyful sound.

The upper source of the Keriya River in Yutian is formed by two transversely arranged mountain ranges within the mid-section of the Kunlun Mountains. The Keriya River flows through them, dividing the area into eastern and western sections. This region is a geologically intense uplift zone and source area, and, together with the adjacent Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has seen significant volcanic activity dating back to the 4th century.

On May 27, 1951, a volcanic eruption occurred on the southern side of Pulushan Mountain in Yutian County, creating China’s youngest volcanic crater. Due to tectonic movements, the mountains at the source...

...are covered with snow year-round, with many peaks exceeding an altitude of 6,500 meters. Mount Qiongzhizita rises to 6,920 meters, and mountains above 5,500 meters are home to ice and snow zones. The massive Wusitengge Mountain range contains 296 large and small glaciers. Between the mountain ranges lie two major intermontane basins: the Wulayin Basin and the Wuluke Basin. These basins host several alpine lakes, and to the west of the lake cluster lie towering, perpetually snow-covered mountains, with thousands of icy pillars standing majestically, creating a grand and imposing spectacle. This is the world’s only place where alpine lakes, glaciers, and volcanoes coexist in one breathtaking landscape, making it a dream destination for explorers from China and abroad.

...making it a dream destination for explorers from China and abroad.