Abstract：The accelerated retreat of glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau has led to mobilization and downstream transport of accumulated heavy metals, posing a potential risk to downstream ecosystems and human health. However, current research on the distribution and ecological risk of heavy metals in glacier retreat area is still limited. This study targets the monsoonal temperate Midui Glacier in southeastern Xizang and investigates the distribution and ecological risk of typical heavy metals in its debris and soils in retreat area as well as water environment. Results show that soil heavy metal contents range from 144.8 to 520.0 mg/kg, which is dominated by Zn, As and Cr with relatively large spatial variation. The contents of Cd and Hg are at low levels. Soil heavy metal levels progressively increase from the debris to the different stages of retreat area, driven by soil development, vegetation succession, and intensified human activities, with the highest contents observed in the third retreat stage. Most heavy metals (except Cu, Pb, and Hg) exhibit significant differences among the retreat stages, while correlate significantly with soil pH and nutrients. In the glacial meltwater, concentrations of heavy metals from proglacial lakes to downstream rivers vary between 3.76 and 33.37 μg/L, and remain well below Class I water quality standards. Noticeably, elevated levels are detected near the outlet of proglacial lake (Guangxie Cuo) at the Midui Glacier viewpoint and in downstream passing through a village, reflecting strong influence of anthropogenic activities. Ecological risk assessment reveals that heavy metals together pose a moderate potential ecological risk in soils, which is dominated by Cd and As, while there is no risk in water environment. These findings offer critical baseline data and a valuable case for understanding heavy metal biogeochemistry under glacier ecosystem changes on the Tibetan Plateau.