As a famous atmosphere physicist, research on the atmosphere of the pole & ocean regions, he was the first scientist in China investigated North Pole, South Pole and the 3rd Pole (Qing-Tibet Plateau) of the Earth. Vice-President of China Scientific Expedition Association.
Award winner of China natural Science Award.
Author of " The Mega of Scientific Exploration", "Pole Expedition" etc Books and many publications.

Painting-like view of Laniao Lake

The valleys of Yalung Tsangpu River in East Tibet have over 2,000 mm rainfall  each year. In June 1983, we went to Tibet  for the research work on its atmosphere conditions.

After 10 days drove on the Sichuan-Tibet motorway, we (8 members) approached Laniao Lake - our first observation point . 
Laniao Lake is the originate of Peron Tsangpu River. The melted snow & ice from the surrounded mountains entered  the Lanioa Lake, then  through a 2 meters path flowing to west and became the Peron Tsangpu River. The River gets bigger and bigger, until  it joined the Yalung Tsangpu River.

It was June, but it was snowing. Our vehicle went into deep valleys, jumping up and down. I was almost sleeping. Suddenly a thunder sound, a huge rock fell down from the mountain into the valley, just a few meters in front of us. 

After another turn, I looked out from the window, I could not believe my eyes; what a beautiful lake, The green water, t the forests, the snow mountains and the white clouds around it. "Look! those pretty islands in the lake." 

Atmosphere Observation Stations

We built our Atmosphere Observation Station on a half-island, about 5 km from the start of Peron Tsangpu River. An idea place. 
In the morning, the west wind brought our level observe balloon from east to west flying on the lake. We can obtain as long as over 100 minutes of data.

We also delivered several types of atmosphere observe balloons, recorded the atmosphere temperature, moisture, pressure, and wind etc data  from the lake level (4,000m elevation) to 12,000m height.
After more than 20 days observation, In the Laniao Lake area, the water vapor transferred from west to east was 300 gm / cm / sec. No wonder the environment here was so nice. 

At the end of Peron Tsangpu River, we established another station. Use the same method and schedule to investigate its atmosphere data. The amount of water vapour through there was 400 gm / cm / sec. Slightly higher that its originate region.

Then we decided to build our 3rd station at the join point of Peron Tsangpu River and Egu tsangpu River - Tongmai. When the team were moving to there, I , Ye and driver Zhang had to go Lhasa to get more equipments. 

On the way back from Lhasa to Tongmai, there was a famous section of the road called "Tiger Mouth". it was the most difficult part of the road. We met a large rock fall there, 20 military tracks were block there. I saw the soldiers had to push the track over the hill of the rocks, one by one,  for 4 hours. 

It was 10pm already, our jeep started to climb the rock hill. Driver little Zhang used the maximum force to reach the top of the rock hill and now it's time to go down, but the jeep was on a 30 degree angle, its head light towards the sky, driver could not see the road.
"Quick! Check road". Little Zhang shouted.
I turned my head looking at the road, My God, on the right side was the deep valley and our jeep was on it edge.
"Turn left, slow go down". I instructed.
Little Zhang controlled the jeep slipping down slowly. Finally we reached the bottom of the rock hill. Stressed nerves started to relax a little bit.

Another 1 km, on a S turn of the road, our jeep suddenly stopped, a strong head light came from the opposite direction. A large track stopped in front of us, a distance of less than 2 meters. We both side went down to the road, nobody spoke, but looked at the dangerous situation. It was raining and dark, in this narrow valley road, it was very difficult to find a place to allow the vehicles across. 
Our jeep had to reverse for a distance, stopped close to the wall as possible. The large track moved slowly. through the road. It passed and made several long sound to express their gratitude. Only the people who drive on Tibet valley roads  could understand such feelings.

At midnight, we completed the last 20 km travel (it seems lasted almost a whole century). Our colleagues at Tongmai welcome us warmly.

Our Tongmai Station establishes. It was for measuring the wet vapour transportation (towards the interior Tibet Plateau) in the top area of the Great Canyon of Yalung Tsangpu River. The result showed that it reached as high as 500 gm / cm / sec. 

The Mystery of Egu Lake

From Tongmai, we moved to Egu Lake.  It was located in the middle of Egu Tsangpu River. With an elevation of 2,200 m only, this region appeared like a sub-tropical zone. Tibetan people built tea and fruit farms here. The dense fog dancing over the lake all the time, It changes its shape, direction, and it was  reflected in the lake.
The local people believe that Egu Lake connects to Indian Ocean, the Sea Dragon brought water from India Ocean to here, to help their agriculture.  

This was the 4th Station of our expedition, and we delivered 90 atmosphere balloons. From the rich data we knew that in this region the income water vapour was the highest one - 750 gm /cm /sec. 
The conclusion was:
The major path of wet wind was from Brahmaputra (India) - Yalung Tsangpu (Tibet) River to the top of the Great Canyon, then along the Egu Tsangpu River to the north-west Tibet.
The path of wet wind along the Peron River upward direction was the less one.
These paths allow the wet wind through the Himalayas and bringing miracles to Tibet Plateau.

Prisoners of Egu Lake

During our stay in Egu lake, another big mud-rock glacier damaged the motorway. We could not go out to get foods and was unable to communicate with our head quarter of expedition. 

Fortunately the nature provided foods , we went to the forests collecting mushrooms, medicinal plants etc, to exchange foods with Tibetan people. It was a very interesting experience.

The beautiful Egu Lake kept us for a whole month.  I would never forget its beauty.