Britannica Sources used in this answer

How do the elevations of the Tien Shan compare with the Turfan Depression?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Tien Shan The Tien Shan mountain range and the Takla Makan Desert.

The Tien Shan mountain system is characterized by extreme variations in elevation, creating a dramatic contrast with the Turfan Depression.1

While the Tien Shan features high-altitude peaks and mountain knots—such as Victory Peak, which reaches 24,406 feet (7,439 metres), and Khan Tängiri Peak at 22,949 feet (6,995 metres)—the Turfan Depression contains the lowest point in Central Asia. This fault trough descends to approximately 508 feet (155 metres) below sea level.123

Because of these features, the total difference in elevation within the Tien Shan region is extreme, exceeding 4.5 miles (7 km). The mountains surrounding the depression, such as the Bogda Mountains, rise to elevations of up to 17,864 feet (5,445 metres), further emphasizing the stark topographical disparity between the high alpine ranges and the deep, arid basin floor.13