Kuen-Lun

Kuen-Lun, a great mountain-chain of central Asia, which forms the northern wall of the Tibetan plateau, as the Himalayas do the southern. Starting from the Pamir plateau (82° E. long.), the Kuen-Lun extends eastward as far as 94° E. long., forming an arc to the north. The entire region, which varies from 100 to 150 miles in width, is covered with snow, and in many places with gigantic glaciers. Between the chains lie narrow valleys of a very steep inclination. Storms of sand and of snow, often of both commingled, rage violently in winter. The peaks of this region measure from 18,000 to 25,000 feet in altitude, and the passes from 13,000 to 18,000 feet. These mountains were almost unknown until the explorations of the Russian General Prjevalski, 1876-88.