Altyn-Tagh, Mountain range in Northwestern China.
Altyn-Tagh is a mountain range in northwestern China that extends roughly 800 kilometers from west to east. It forms a natural boundary between the Tarim Basin to the north and the Tibetan Plateau to the south.
The Altyn-Tagh range formed during the Cenozoic Era through tectonic activity. Much of its shape resulted from lateral displacement along its southern fault zone.
The name Altyn-Tagh comes from Turkic languages and means Lower Mountain; in Chinese it is known as A'erjin Shan. Local communities have used the valleys for traditional herding and trade routes that have connected regions across this terrain for centuries.
Access to the mountain range requires special permits from local authorities before visiting. The region is remote and visitors should be prepared for isolation and limited services along the main transport routes.
The Kumkol Basin within the range contains three major salt lakes that create an unusual landscape. These shallow waters contrast sharply with the surrounding mountain slopes and form a rare geographic feature in this highland region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
