The Tian Shan: Central Asia's Celestial Mountains¶

The Tian Shan — "Celestial Mountains" in Chinese — stretch 2,500 km across Central Asia through Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and China. Home to Khan Tengri's marble pyramid and Jengish Chokusu (Pobeda Peak), this remote range offers world-class mountaineering with almost no crowds. This guide covers the range's geography, key peaks, and growing trekking scene.

Introduction¶

The Celestial Mountains¶

Geography¶

Spanning Three Countries¶

Glaciers and Lake Issyk-Kul¶

Key Peaks¶

Khan Tengri — The Marble Pyramid (7,010m)¶

Jengish Chokusu / Pobeda Peak (7,439m)¶

Trekking in Kyrgyzstan¶

Ala-Archa National Park¶

The Central Tian Shan Trek¶

Yurt-to-Yurt Trekking¶

Cultural Heritage¶

Silk Road Mountain Routes¶

Kyrgyz Nomadic Traditions¶

Practical Planning¶

Getting There¶

Permits and Regulations¶

Best Months — July to September¶

Key Statistics Table¶