Which railroads and highways cross the Gobi Desert?

The Gobi Desert is traversed by several transportation networks that facilitate movement across its vast, arid landscape.

Railroads

The Gobi is crossed by railroads in both its eastern and western sections. A notable line connects south-central Inner Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia. Additionally, the Trans-Mongolian Railway, completed in 1955, links Ulaanbaatar with Ulan-Ude in Russia and with Erenhot in China.12

Highways

Several major highways cross the Gobi, including:
* A route extending from eastern China to Xinjiang across the Bei Mountains and the Gaxun Gobi.1
* A road from the town of Kalgan (Zhangjiakou) in Inner Mongolia to Ulaanbaatar.1
* A highway connecting Ulaanbaatar to Dalandzadgad in southern Mongolia.1

Beyond these modern routes, the region is also crisscrossed by various ancient caravan tracks. While these roads exist, the plateau remains relatively isolated and economically underdeveloped.12