Tanggula Pass

These mountains on the Tibetan Plateau separate the Tibet Autonomous Region from the Qinghai province, and also form part of the watershed separating the Yangtze River to the north from a zone of endorheic basins with internal drainage to the south.

The Qinghai–Tibet Highway reaches its highest elevation of 5,231 meters (17,162 ft) in the Tanggu Pass at 32°52′24″N 91°55′03″E / 32.87333°N 91.91750°E / 32.87333; 91.91750.

On August 24, 2005, rail track for the Qinghai–Tibet Railway was completed 28 kilometers (17 mi) to the WNW of the highway, reaching 5,072 meters (16,640 ft) at 33°00′38″N 91°39′51″E / 33.01056°N 91.66417°E / 33.01056; 91.66417.

[2] The Qinghai–Tibet railway connects the provincial capitals of Xining to Lhasa.

The rail cars are equipped with personal oxygen supplies to prevent altitude sickness.

Pingo in Tibet near Tanggula pass