Preliminary expedition to the Ngari Region was conducted from July 1, 2012, lasting about 10 days. The expedition group consisted of ITP Profs. YAO Tandong, YANG Yongping, ZHANG Yinsheng, SU Fengge and TIAN Lide, and a dozen more of crew.

The group tripped to source regions of the three major rivers in South Asia, including Peacock River catchment (head of the Ganges River), Jiemayangzong Glacier and Angsedongdong Glacier (heads of the Yarlung Zangbo), and Sengge Zangbo and Langqên Zangbo(heads of the Indus River).

AWS were configured in the river source region, and rain gauges and hydrology observation profiles were established on the upper streams. Glacier mass balance measurements were initiated on the galciers at the source region, with apparatus set up on the glacier surface to obtain meteorological data.

Preliminary survey to vegetation and bio-diversity was also conducted in the rivers' origins. Data acquired from such survey is believed to be conducive to further investigation and monitoring of vegetation succession in the glacial retreating area.

Surface water was sampled on the way for further study of stable isotopes in the western part of the Tibetan Plateau.