When Kunlun is not in operation, the year-round Russian Vostok Station is the second-southernmost base in Antarctica.

It is located at 4087 m above sea level on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, making it the highest base in Antarctica.

[2] It is only 7.3 km southwest of Dome A, the highest point on the Antarctic Plateau.

It is indicated from satellite measurements that places nearby could reach a world record −90 °C (−130 °F) temperature.

[citation needed] In April 2012 the first of three Antarctica Schmidt telescopes (AST3) was installed at Kunlun Station.