Tanggula Pass
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Pingo_in_Tibet_near_Tanggula_pass.jpg/275px-Pingo_in_Tibet_near_Tanggula_pass.jpg)
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. 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. The Tanggula railway station 1 km from this summit is the world's highest at 5,068 meters (16,627 ft), 255 meters (837 ft) higher than that of Ticlio, Peru.
The Qinghai–Tibet railway connects the provincial capitals of Xining to Lhasa. The 1,080-kilometer (670 mi)-long section from Golmud to Lhasa was opened on July 1, 2006. The rail cars are equipped with personal oxygen supplies to prevent altitude sickness.
Climate
Climate data for Zhidamsumo, 33 57N 092 37E, Elevation: 5048m | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 0 (32) |
0 (32) |
7 (45) |
12 (54) |
16 (61) |
17 (63) |
17 (63) |
17 (63) |
17 (63) |
15 (59) |
3 (37) |
2 (36) |
17 (63) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −7 (19) |
−5 (23) |
−1 (30) |
5 (41) |
8 (46) |
11 (52) |
13 (55) |
13 (55) |
11 (52) |
3 (37) |
−2 (28) |
−6 (21) |
3 (37) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −24 (−11) |
−24 (−11) |
−18 (0) |
−12 (10) |
−6 (21) |
0 (32) |
2 (36) |
1 (34) |
−1 (30) |
−10 (14) |
−19 (−2) |
−24 (−11) |
−11 (12) |
Record low °C (°F) | −37 (−35) |
−31 (−24) |
−27 (−17) |
−22 (−8) |
−13 (9) |
−3 (27) |
−2 (28) |
−3 (27) |
−7 (19) |
−20 (−4) |
−26 (−15) |
−32 (−26) |
−37 (−35) |
Source: Weatherbase |