In the largest canyon on Earth, China’s Yarlung Tsangpo, which is longer than Arizona’s Grand Canyon and deeper than any other, there is a tree taller than the Statue of Liberty.
The canyon gets its name from the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Some call the river the “Everest of Rivers” because it is at a very high altitude and particularly challenging to access. The canyon is about 13,000 feet above sea level.
The river starts in the Angsi Glacier in the western part of Tibet. It flows east across the Tibetan Plateau and then turns sharply, joining the Brahmaputra River, according to Live Science.
Three times deeper than the Grand Canyon
The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon stretches for 314 miles (505 kilometers), making it 37 miles (60 kilometers) longer than the Grand Canyon. This canyon is home to some of the most rugged and unexplored parts of our planet.
One particularly dangerous area is in southeastern Tibet, where the canyon winds between two massive peaks, the Namcha Barwa, towering at 25,530 feet (7,782 meters), and the Gyala Peri, standing at 23,930 feet (7,294 meters).
The tallest tree in Asia has just been identified in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
It stands tall in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon in Bome County of Nyingchi Prefecture of this region. pic.twitter.com/43xYJFqv7J
— Gnosis (@Mundus2035) June 28, 2023
At its deepest point, the canyon is 19,715 feet (6,009 meters), making it three times deeper than the Grand Canyon. On average, the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon has a depth of 7,440 feet (2,270 meters), according to Live Science.
The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon began forming around three million years ago when tectonic forces pushed the Earth’s crust upwards. This uplift also led to a steeper incline in the Yarlung Tsangpo River and massive erosion, according to a report from Live Science.
Asia’s tallest known tree taller than the Statue of Liberty
In addition to its other records, the canyon is home to Asia’s tallest known tree. This 335-foot (102-meter) cypress, taller than the Statue of Liberty, was measured by a research team from Peking University in May 2023. The team conducted this ecological survey to help protect the unique environment of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The exact species of the tree remains unknown. However, reports from Chinese state media suggest it could be either a Himalayan cypress (Cupressus torulosa) or a Tibetan cypress (Cupressus gigantea).
Prior to the discovery of the towering cypress in the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, Asia’s tallest tree was a 331-foot (101-meter) yellow meranti (Shorea faguetiana) in the Danum Valley Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysia.
The Tibet Autonomous Region, known for its unique ecosystem, is facing increasing challenges as a result of development and global climate change. However, conservation efforts, especially in the city of Nyingchi, have intensified to protect the region’s diverse plant and animal life.
