Eclogite pods and layers of eclogites in mafic blueschists are the most pro
minent witnesses of eclogite facies metamorphism in the southern Tianshan h
igh-pressure belt of Western China. The P-T evolution was deciphered in ord
er to understand the geotectonic framework of these rocks. Geothermobaromet
ric evaluation for matrix assemblages reveals peak metamorphic condition be
tween 14 and 21 kbar at 500 to 600 degrees C. Prograde growth zoning and mi
neral inclusions in garnet are evidence for a clockwise P-T path. The prese
nce of intimate eclogite/metabasic blueschist interlayering and the high P-
T estimates suggest that the eclogite-facies rocks from the southern Tiansh
an high-pressure belt formed in a tectonic regime similar to the Franciscan
type. Therefore the southern Tianshan high-pressure belt is most important
in order to resolve the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of central Asia.