Abstract: Based on field data from the Hulu Watershed in the Qilian Mountains of China, five types of experiential parameters of alpine hydrology are calibrated: ① wind-induced factors of gauge-measured precipitation; ② threshold air temperature (day and half-hourly) for classifying snowfall, rainfall and mixed snow and rainfall; ③ relevant parameters for alpine shrub interception; ④ threshold temperature of completely frozen soil and ⑤ critical air temperature (daily and half-hourly) for snow melting. If the vegetation zone moves upward due to global warming, then the ratio of evapotranspiration/precipitation will increase while the runoff coefficient should decrease in the alpine watersheds of China. Current precipitation data does not match accurate simulations of alpine hydrology in China, and the interception model should be improved and simple methods developed to describe glacier and snow melting. Long-term hydrological simulations should consider snow drifting, permafrost evolvement and glacier flow. Further research on subpermafrost water, snow sublimation and glacier flow concentration in the alpine regions of China is urgently needed.