In the ancient Chinese book “Shuijingzhu”’ Kunlun Mountains was recorded as “Aruda Mountain”. Kunlun Mountains, 2500 kilometers long and 150-350kilometers wide, is from the Parmirs in the west, lies along the borderline between Xinjiang and Tibet and extends into Qinghai and Sichuan. The part of the mountains in the area of Xinjiang is about 1700kilometers in length. The average height of the mountains ridges is about 5000meters and it is lower in the eastern part than in the western part. In the western part of Kunlun Mountains west to Pishan County, there are 3 peaks 7000 meters high above the sea-level. The part between Pishan County and Qiemo County, called the mid part, is 500meters lower than that of the western part with 8 peaks 6000meters high above the sea level. East to Qiemo County area lies the Eastern Kunlun Mountains, the average height of the mountain ridges is 500meters lower than that of the mid part with 4 peaks 6000meters high above the sea level. From the middle part of the mountains, flow out Hotan River, Keria River and Niya River.
Kunlun Mountains area is considered as one of the most dry mountain areas in Asia, with scarce vegetation and very few human activites. However, in the area 5000meters above the sea level, there exist large glaciers, which bring life to the mountain area. And the mountains is rich in mineral resources and more than 10 high peaks 6000-7000meters above the sea level in the mountain ranges attract mountaineers and tourists from other parts of China and abroad.
