Tian Shan

The Tian Shan, also known as the Tengri Tagh or Tengir-Too, is a large system of mountain ranges in Central Asia. This vast mountain region stretches across several countries and includes some of the highest peaks on Earth. The tallest point in the Tian Shan is Jengish Chokusu, which rises to an impressive height of 7,439 metres (24,406 feet) and is located in Kyrgyzstan.

The Tian Shan holds great importance in the traditional beliefs of people in the area, especially in Tengrism, where the mountains are considered sacred. One of its famous peaks is called Khan Tengri, meaning "Lord of the Spirits." This beautiful and rugged landscape has been recognized internationally for its natural wonder. In 2013, the eastern part of the Tian Shan in China's Xinjiang Region was named a World Heritage Site by the Conference on World Heritage. Later, in 2016, the western part of these mountains in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan also received this special status, showing how valuable and important this area is to the world.

Name

One of the earliest historical references to the Tian Shan mountains may come from the Xiongnu word Qilian, meaning "sky" or "heaven." The ancient writer Sima Qian wrote about Qilian in his book, the Records of the Grand Historian, linking it to the homeland of the Yuezhi. This name likely refers to the Tian Shan and not to the Qilian Mountains, which are much farther east. In Mongolia, the Otgontenger mountain also carries a similar meaning.

Geography

The Tian Shan mountain range lies north and west of the Taklamakan Desert and directly north of the Tarim Basin. It spans across Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Xinjiang in Northwest China. To the south, it connects with the Pamir Mountains, and to the north and east, it meets the Altai Mountains of Mongolia.

Stretching eastwards for about 2,900 kilometers from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Tian Shan forms part of the Himalayan orogenic belt. Its highest peak is Jengish Chokusu, also called Victory Peak, which stands at 7,439 metres (24,406 ft) and is the highest point in Kyrgyzstan. The Torugart Pass, at 3,752 metres (12,310 ft), marks the border between Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang. The Syr Darya, Ili River, and Tarim River all begin in the Tian Shan.

Ranges

The Tian Shan mountain system includes many named ranges. Some of these ranges are the Barkol Tagh, Bogda Shan, Borohoro Shan, Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range, and Talas Alatau, among others.

In China, the Tian Shan begins east of Ürümqi and includes ranges like the Qarlik Tagh and Borohoro Mountains. In Kyrgyzstan, the main range continues to Peak Pobeda and Khan Tengri, with parts splitting around Issyk Kul Lake. These ranges stretch across several countries, forming a vast and impressive mountain system.

Ice Age

The Tian Shan plateau lies between the Kokshaal-Tau mountain chain to the south and the Terskey Alatau mountain chain to the north. During glacial times, these areas and the plateau were covered by large networks of ice streams and glaciers. Today, the only remaining part of this ancient ice is the South Inylschek glacier, which is 61 kilometers long.

Strong glaciation also occurred in the high mountains of the Kungey Alatau, north of Lake Issyk Kul. Glaciers from this area also reached down to Lake Issyk Kul. During the last ice age, the area covered by glaciers was about 118,000 square kilometers, and the snowline was much lower than it is today.

Ecology

The Tian Shan mountains are home to special forests, including Schrenk's spruce growing over 2,000 metres tall, and lower slopes filled with wild walnuts and apples. The area was protected from ice by warm winds from the Indian Ocean, helping many plants and animals to thrive.

Tulips first grew in the Tian Shan before traveling along the Silk Road to become a symbol of the Ottoman Empire. The mountains also provided a home for the early versions of many foods we eat today, like apricots, pears, and pomegranates. Bears, deer, and wild boar helped spread seeds, increasing the variety of life in the region.

Climate

The Tian Shan mountains have an alpine climate, which means the weather there is cold and snowy, especially at higher elevations. This type of climate is found in high mountain regions around the world.

Religion

Tengrism

In Tengrism, Khan Tengri is considered the lord of all spirits and the supreme deity of the religion. It is also the name given to the second highest peak of the Tian Shan.