Kunlun Station

Kunlun Station is a research facility located on the East Antarctic Ice Sheet at approximately 4,100 meters elevation. The site operates only during summer months and contains laboratories and equipment for ice core drilling, astronomical observations, and climate measurements.

China established this station in 2009 as its fifth research outpost in Antarctica, expanding scientific presence in the polar region. The location on the highest ice plateau offered ideal conditions for long-term research activities.

Scientists from the Polar Research Institute of China conduct studies in glaciology, astronomy, and climate research at this southernmost Chinese Antarctic station.

The location is extremely remote and accessible only during summer months when aerial expeditions are possible. Visitors should prepare for intense cold and will need professional expedition equipment.

The site regularly records extreme cold below minus 80 degrees Celsius and ranks among the coldest inhabited research locations on Earth. These extreme conditions allow specialized scientific measurements possible at few other places worldwide.

Location: Australian Antarctic Territory

Location: Antarctic Treaty area

Inception: January 27, 2009

Elevation above the sea: 4,093 m

Website: http://chinare.gov.cn/en

GPS coordinates: -80.41719,77.11600

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:02