Qilian Mountains

The Qilian Mountains form a massive mountain range along the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, marking the northern perimeter of the Tibetan Plateau. Extending for about 800 kilometers, the range features numerous peaks exceeding 5,000 meters, with the highest point reaching 5,808 meters. The mountains act as a critical water tower for Northwest China, as their extensive glaciers feed rivers like the Heihe and Shule, which sustain the oases of the Hexi Corridor. Historically, this corridor served as the primary transit route for the Silk Road, squeezed between the Qilian peaks and the Gobi Desert. Geologically, the range is characterized by complex fold-and-thrust belts formed during the Cenozoic era. The northern slopes are home to dense forests and lush alpine meadows, providing habitats for rare species such as the snow leopard and the blue sheep. Today, the Qilian Mountains National Park is a focus of large-scale ecological restoration and glacier protection efforts.

Nearby cities

Lanzhou

The capital of Gansu province, a major stop on the ancient Silk Road.

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