1.Exploring the Origin
The Telamukanli Glacier, known internationally as the Singhi Glacier, is located in the middle and upper reaches of the Kelequin River Valley. In 2005, it was selected by “China National Geographic” as one of China’s six most beautiful ice formations. However, even today, very few people have ventured there.
Photos of the glacier online are extremely scarce. Despite the current popularity of glacier tourism, Telamukanli remains shrouded in mystery.
In September 2016, I traveled to the Kelequin River Valley but only reached the Wuduluke Glacier, unable to proceed further to witness the beauty of Telamukanli Glacier.
At the time, I assumed that ice tower forests were more or less similar, with no significant differences. Having seen the pristine ice tower forest of the Gasherbrum Glacier, I thought seeing Telamukanli was inconsequential. However, in 2021, a chance opportunity allowed me to witness Telamukanli Glacier firsthand, and I realized how mistaken I had been.
2.Route Introduction
There are generally two routes to reach Telamukanli Glacier. The more established route involves following the Kelequin River upstream to the Gasherbrum Glacier and then continuing south, which takes about two days.
The alternative route starts from Fairy Bay (Shenxian Wan), crossing the Kelequin Pass, also known as Victory Pass (Shengli Daban), and then descending downstream. However, this route requires traversing the extremely dangerous Kyager Glacier, a challenge suitable only for experienced explorers.
3.On-site Reality
Initially, I thought Telamukanli Glacier’s inclusion among China’s six most beautiful glaciers might have been somewhat coincidental, especially considering that Midui Glacier and Hailuogou Glacier were also on the list.
I don’t mean to belittle these two glaciers, but from a personal aesthetic standpoint, they seemed rather ordinary. When first viewing Telamukanli Glacier from afar, it didn’t appear significantly different from other glaciers.
As I arrived at the moraine lake beneath Telamukanli’s ice tower forest, the weather grew increasingly gloomy, with level 3-4 winds kicking up irritating dust.
Suddenly, the wind stopped momentarily, and the water’s surface became a mirror, reflecting the silhouette of the ice tower forest. In that instant, my thoughts drifted, and I imagined that what I saw before me was eternal.
The next day, the sky was even more overcast, with occasional snowflakes. We entered the ice tower forest on the eastern side of Telamukanli. Although called an ice tower forest, the ice formations here were distinctly different – tall, sharp, and standing like willow leaf-shaped sabers piercing the sky.
As we traversed the area, we encountered numerous emerald ice lakes. Crystal-clear ice blades stood above jade-colored lakes, resembling exquisitely crafted artworks. Yet, all of these were masterpieces of nature.
I asked my companion how he felt, and he said it was like a fairytale world. I wholeheartedly agreed.
4.Brief Evaluation
Telamukanli Glacier has two main attractions. First, the charming moraine lakes beneath the ice tower forest, reflecting millennia of history. Second, the uniquely shaped ice towers, resembling ice blades piercing the sky.
Both of these attractions are truly spectacular and difficult to find elsewhere.
If you have the opportunity to visit the Kelequin River Valley, don’t miss the Telamukanli Glacier.
