Why is the climate of the Kunlun Mountains extremely dry?

The Kunlun Mountains are extremely dry primarily because they are almost entirely isolated from the moisture-bearing Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean monsoons.1

Instead of receiving maritime moisture, the region remains under the constant influence of a continental air mass, which fosters significant aridity. This lack of precipitation is so severe that it limits glaciation across the mountain system, with snow cover persisting only in the deepest crevices of the highest peaks. The climate is characterized by intense temperature fluctuations and high winds, particularly within the Qaidam Basin, which further contribute to the harsh, arid conditions of the environment.12