Known as the "living fossil of glaciers," Urumqi Glacier No.1 lies on the northern slope of Tiangeer Peak in the Tianshan Mountains, about 120 km southwest of Urumqi. As the world's closest glacier to a major city, it spans 1.85 km² with two branches, reaching 4,476 m at its highest point.

Formed 4.8 million years ago, it boasts well-preserved ancient glacial landforms—cirques, horns, and roche moutonnées. Since 1959, it has been China's key glacial observation site, offering critical data on climate change.A silvery "ice dragon" under clear skies, its vivid blue ice cliffs, deep crevasses, and flowing icefalls create a breathtaking, pristine alpine scene—an iconic blend of nature and science in Xinjiang.