Tanggula Mountains

Tanggula Mountains

Tanggula mountains (t'ang-ku-la Shan or Tanggula Shan) is located at the border of Qinghai Province and Northeast Tibet Autonomous Region of China (Qinghai Tibet Plateau). In the East, it is the boundary mountain between Tibet and Qinghai, and in the southeast, it extends to Yunling and Nushan of Hengduan Mountains. "Tibetan means" mountain on the plateau ", also known as" dangla mountain ", in Mongolian means" high mountain where Eagles can't fly past ", which is a near East-West mountain range in the middle of Qinghai Tibet Plateau.

The mountain range is about 6000 meters above sea level. The highest peak, Geladandong, is 6621 meters above sea level. Tanggula Mountain (name of peak) is 6099 meters. Although the altitude of Tanggula pass is 5220 meters, it is not dangerous and insurmountable because of its gentle slope and small height difference. There are small glaciers on the mountain peak, which is the birthplace of the Yangtze River, Lancang River, Nujiang River and other rivers. The temperature is low, the annual average temperature is - 4.4 ℃ (Tuotuohe station), there is permafrost distribution, the thickness of permafrost is 70-88m, the Qinghai Tibet highway passes through. The vegetation is mainly alpine grassland, mixed with cushion plants. The Tanggula mountains are the birthplace of the Yangtze River. It is also one of the tourist attractions.

Geology and geomorphology

Tanggula Mountain is a mountain rising on a plateau of 5000 meters, with an altitude of 6839 meters. The top of the mountain is about 5000 meters of peneplain, and the ridge on the surface is above the snow line (the snow line is 5300 meters). The western part of Tanggula mountains lies in Tibet Autonomous Region, and the eastern part is the boundary mountain between Qinghai Province and Tibet Autonomous Region. Its western end gradually submerges into the Qiangtang plateau near 90 ° e, and connects with the taniantaweng Yunling mountains in the Hengduan Mountains in the southeast, with a total length of about 700 km and a mountain width of more than 150 km. The xiasheri ABA mountain in the eastern section is the birthplace of the Dangqu River, the source of the Yangtze River, and the main peak Geladandong is the birthplace of the Tuotuo River. Tanggula Mountain is also the watershed between the Yangtze River and the Nujiang River, which is connected with the Karakorum Mountains. Its western section is the watershed between the inland water system and the outflow water system in northern Tibet, and its eastern section is the watershed between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Nujiang River, Lancang River and Yangtze River all originate from the north and south of Tanggula Mountain.

There are also small-scale Pleistocene glaciers in Tanggula Mountain. The edge ridge, corner peak and glacial topography are common. The glaciers formed in the Middle Pleistocene are about 28 times larger than today's glaciers. Small ice sheets can be formed on the surface of the peneplain. The glacial deposits on the two slopes of Tanggula Mountain are more than 800 meters thick. When glaciers melt, mountains rise rapidly. Both sides bear more sand and gravel, resulting in strata subsidence, forming a nearly East-West Lake area and erupting hot springs. Karst terrain is formed on the hillside. There are less glaciers on the south slope than on the north slope, but the glacial topography develops on the south slope.

During the Mesozoic, the Tanggula mountains were folded and uplifted due to the collision of the Qiangtang block with the Eurasian plate to the north. After that, the area was affected by several Cenozoic orogenies and continued to rise, forming the present mountain.

Geologically, Tanggula Mountain is a part of thin skinned structure of Qinghai Tibet Plateau, which is the product of the Bangongcuo Nujiang fault zone in the South and the Lancangjiang fault zone in the north. The vertical natural belt spectrum of Tanggula Mountain is continental, but the eastern part is semi humid and the western part is semi-arid.

Climatic characteristics

Tanggula Mountain crossing section is the section with the worst climate, the worst geological conditions and the most difficult construction along the Qinghai Tibet railway. The slope wetland is widely distributed, the frozen soil section with high temperature and high ice content is long, and the effect of frost heaving and thawing settlement is strong. In winter and spring, the temperature is very low and the wind is very cold. When the weather is slightly warmer in July and August, there is plenty of rain and clouds, either snow or hail.

Main rivers

Tanggula mountains are mainly composed of Dangqu River and Tuotuo River.

Dangqu

The source of the Yangtze River originates from the foot of the eastern Tanggula mountains (xiasheri ABA mountain), which is the largest swamp on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau. There is the highest swamp in the world. Dangqu basin is the area with the most precipitation at the source of the Yangtze River. It is the longest river with the largest water flow among the three main sources of the Yangtze River.

 

Tuotuo River

The Tuotuo River originates from jianggudiru glacier, with a total length of 346 km, which is the West source of the Yangtze River. After leaving Tanggula Mountain, Tuotuo River carries glacial water all the way north into the wide valley between Tanggula Mountain and Kunlun mountain. At 130 km, blocked by Wulanwula mountain, Tuotuo River turns around and flows eastward until it joins with Dangqu, the source of Yangtze River. The river course of Tuotuo River is wide and braided. There are few people on both sides of the river. In summer, only a few nomads come here to graze. The Tuotuo River bridge connecting the Qinghai Tibet highway is the first bridge of the Yangtze River, and the Tuotuo River at the head of the bridge is the first town along the Yangtze River.

 

Vegetation condition

The vegetation is mainly alpine grassland, mixed with cushion plants. In the broad range of Tanggula Mountain, there are many river valleys and lake basins, grass dams, rich water and grass, which are excellent natural pastures. To the east of the Qinghai Tibet highway, the alpine meadow belt is composed of Kobresia and Polygonum hydropiper at an altitude of 4400-5000m; the Alpine Periglacial sparse vegetation belt is from 5000m to the snow line; the main plants are Dianchi matsutake, Daphnia mossiformis, chrysanthemum fengmaoju, edelweiss, and Descurainia; the alpine permanent ice and snow belt is at the top. The alpine steppe, which is composed of Stipa purpurea, Festuca arundinacea and other grasses at an altitude of 4500-5000m to the west, is connected with the Alpine Periglacial sparse vegetation zone or the primitive alpine meadow zone partially inlaid with cushion plants.

 

Natural resources

The alpine grasslands and meadows in Tanggula mountains are natural pastures for Grazing Yaks, sheep and other livestock. Their mineral resources include iron, coal, etc., and geothermal resources are rich.

 

Human customs

Highland barley, wheat and pea are the staple food of northern Tibetan people, and ginseng fruit and yellow mushroom are the most popular wild plants. Yogurt and milk dregs are commonly used in dairy products.

 

For herdsmen, there are three main nutrients: meat, butter and cheese; the main drink is butter tea, supplemented by green tea and milk tea; there are also three main Sweets: brown sugar, white sugar and honey. Salt is indispensable to any food. More and more rice has come into herdsmen's families. Drinking highland barley wine during festivals, beer has been more popular in cities and towns.

Generally, I drink tea five times a day, namely morning tea, morning tea, noon tea, evening tea and bedtime tea, and eat three meals. In summer, when the days are long or the herdsmen are busy, they also eat four meals. When drinking morning tea, grab some Zanba, add some fine milk dregs; at noon, grab Zanba, add yogurt, diced meat soup or hand meat; at night, eat all kinds of porridge. People in northern Tibet are very hospitable. When they have guests, or on festivals, religious activities, weddings, horse racing, or even when they hear the first birdsong or the first spring thunder in spring, they will have a family dinner as rich as possible.

 

Animal husbandry is the only means of production and source of livelihood for local herdsmen. They live in cow hide tents, wear sheepskin Tibetan robes, eat beef and mutton, burn cow dung, transport and use yaks, and live a nomadic life. Due to the continuous growth of herdsmen's population and the increase of livestock, the grassland at the source of the Yangtze River has exceeded its capacity. Coupled with the impact of the natural environment, the grassland has been degraded year by year, forcing many herdsmen's families to move to the snowy mountainside with higher altitude and worse natural conditions for grazing. The grazing height has exceeded the ice tongue, reaching the limit height of plant growth at 5500 meters above sea level.

 

Stories and legends

It is said that when Princess Wencheng married Tubo, she was hindered by the heavy snow when she came to Tanggula Mountain. When she was helpless, she was instructed by the accompanying monks to leave the lotus seat on the golden sedan to drive away the snow, so that she could cross the mountain safely.

 

At that time, Genghis Khan led an army to enter the South Asian subcontinent through the Qinghai Tibet Plateau, but it was blocked by Tanggula Mountain. Severe climate and high cold and lack of oxygen caused a large number of deaths. Genghis Khan, who was invincible, could only look at the mountains and sigh, and return in defeat.

It was only in the 14th century that the western world got its first true and fictional description of the plateau, followed by explorers, missionaries and climbers.

 

tourist resources

Tsona Lake

Cuona lake is one of the most famous scenic spots along Anduo and Qinghai Tibet railway. It is the first beautiful scenic line that tourists see when they enter Anduo. To the east of the lake, the Qinghai Tibet railway and the peaceful and beautiful Shenhu pass close by, only a few tens of meters away. There is also a viewing platform here. It is the source lake of the plateau freshwater lake and Nujiang River, with an area of about 400 square kilometers and an altitude of 4650 meters. It is the highest freshwater lake in the world.

 

The Nujiang River and Tongtong River, which originate here, are particularly beautiful in the clear and green Cuona Lake in summer against the background of blue sky, white clouds and boundless grassland. The mountains and rivers are in harmony. Rivers and streams in the southern Tanggula mountains flow into the Cuona lake and then into the Nujiang River.

 

Cuona Lake Station is one of the most beautiful tourist stations in the whole line. It is only 20 meters away from the beautiful Shenhu Lake in the East. The station is designed with six tracks. The platform is 500 meters long and the average width is about 30 meters. Walking on the platform, you can enjoy the colorful scenery of lakes and mountains. The area is being developed for grazing

Chinese PinYin : Tang Gu La Shan Mo