This paper presents an overview of results mainly obtained by a Chinese-German joint expedition in 1991. Two parts. The first gives an introduction to the expedition area of 1991 in the transition zone between the Sichuan Basin (Red Basin
) and the marginal ranges of the NE Tibetan Plateau. Aspects of geomorphology, geology, vegetation and land use are described based on field observations and Chinese literature. Second the geomorphology, especially the (Pleistocene) glacial landforms mainly in he