The Kunlun Mountain Pass (昆仑山口), located in the southwestern part of Qinghai Province, is a crucial gateway between Qinghai and Gansu provinces leading into Tibet. It is a key point on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, named after the narrow mountain valley through which it runs, and is also known as the “Kunlun Mountain Yako.” The Kunlun Mountains, often referred to as the “Spine of Asia,” are considered a symbol of the Chinese nation and are steeped in mythology. In Tibetan, the range is called “Amane Muzhan Musong,” meaning “ancestor mountain.”
The pass is renowned for its high altitude, cold and damp climate, thin air, and unique ecological environment. The landscape is stunning, with vast stretches of meadows, snow-capped peaks, and sprawling grasslands. Particularly notable are the ice mounds and cones that dot the area, some reaching heights of several meters, and the permafrost layer that never melts. Underneath these ice formations, hidden streams flow, and when the ice cracks, underground water can shoot up like a fountain. The ice cones continue to grow and occasionally burst, sending water as high as 20–30 meters into the air with a loud explosion.
Nearby, the towering Yuxu and Yuxian Peaks, both rising over 6,000 meters, are snow-covered year-round, creating the famous “June Snow in Kunlun” spectacle. Yuxu Peak, located east of the pass, stands 6,500 meters tall, draped in snow and clouds, resembling a majestic, snow-clad figure standing above the surrounding mountains.
At the Kunlun Mountain Pass, a monument marks the site, crafted from white marble. The main stele, standing 4.767 meters tall, symbolizes one-thousandth of the elevation of the pass. The granite foundation, measuring 9.6 square meters, represents China’s 9.6 million square kilometers of land. Nearby, memorials commemorate Jiesang Sonam Dajie, a Tibetan hero who gave his life to protect the wildlife of the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
Location and Transportation
Kunlun Mountain Pass is located in the southwestern part of Qinghai Province, at the eastern section of the Kunlun Mountains, about 160 kilometers south of Golmud City, near National Highway 109. To visit the Kunlun Mountain area, travelers typically start from Golmud. Renting a private car for the day costs around 400-500 RMB, which allows for a combined tour of Kunlun Mountain Pass, Yuzhu Peak, and the Sonam Dajie Protection Station.
