Tian Shan

views updated May 29 2018

Tian Shan (Tien Shan) Mountain range in central Asia, 2400km (1500mi) long, forming the border between Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang, nw China. At their w edge, the Tian Shan (‘Celestial Mountains’) divide the Tarim and Junggar Basins. The range rises to 7439m (24,406ft) at Peak Pobeda, on the Chinese border with Kazakstan and Kyrgyzstan. The Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan is one of the world's largest mountain lakes.