Dangjin Pass

mountain pass, China

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

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Dangjin Pass is a mountain pass in China that provides access between the Altun and Qilian mountain systems. It is the only practical route connecting the Qaidam Basin to Gansu province. The Qaidam Basin is located in the northeastern section of the Plateau of Tibet and is bounded by the Kunlun Mountains to the south and the Altun and Qilian mountain systems to the north and east. The pass opens into the eastern Qaidam Basin near Koko Nor. The Qaidam Basin is rich in mineral resources, including salt, potash, boron, coal, and petroleum.1

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Altun Mountains
The Dangjin Pass, at the eastern end of the range, is traversed by a road that links eastern Xinjiang (via Gansu province), the Qaidam Basin, and the Tibet Autonomous Region (via Qinghai province).
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The Dangjin Pass, at the eastern end of the range, is traversed by a road that links eastern Xinjiang (via Gansu province), the Qaidam Basin, and the Tibet Autonomous Region (via Qinghai province).
Read More