Mila Mountain, mountain pass in Tibet, China
Mila Mountain is a high mountain pass in Tibet, China, sitting at 5013 meters and marking the boundary between the Lhasa and Nyingchi regions. The western slope experiences dry conditions while the eastern side has warmer, more humid weather.
The pass on China National Highway 318 between Maizhokunggar County and Gongbo'gyamda County was long the highest point on the Nyingchi–Lhasa road section. In 2006 farmers were reported to earn about 50 yuan a day selling souvenirs there. Plans for a tunnel were announced in January 2015, and it opened to traffic on 29 April 2019 as the highest road tunnel in the world.
The pass is marked by stone yak sculptures and prayer flags left by travellers. In 2006 farmers from the surrounding valleys were reported to earn about 50 yuan a day selling souvenirs there, so the roadside stalls are part of how the pass is used today.
The pass on China National Highway 318 sits at 5,013 m between Maizhokunggar County and Gongbo'gyamda County. A 2019 tunnel, the world's highest road tunnel, now bypasses the pass; the old road over the pass remains for those who want the high-altitude crossing. The west side is dry and cool, the east warmer and wetter.
Natural grasslands at the mountain base support diverse wildlife such as roe deer, antelope, and bears within forests of Yunnan pine and birch. This ecosystem makes the area ecologically important for the region.
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