The pass reaches a height of 4,916 metres (16,129 ft) and may be snow covered year-round.

The pass is an important link between the town of Derge and the rest of Sichuan Province.

Historically, it was part of a trade route between Tibet and China through the Kingdom of Derge in Kham.

[1] The western flank of the pass is drained by the Zhil Chu (Chinese: 色曲; pinyin: Sè Qū) and the eastern flank is drained by the Tro Chu (Chinese: 朝曲; pinyin: Zhāo Qū).

Yihun Lhatso, a glacial-fed lake, is located to the east of the pass.