Dangjin Pass
当金山垭口
A mountain pass at 3,648 meters on the Gansu-Qinghai border. The G215 highway crosses the gap between the Altun and Qilian mountains, and it is a must-pass point for the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop going in and out of Dunhuang.
Dangjin Pass lies within Aksai Kazakh Autonomous County, at the junction of the Altun and Qilian mountains, at about 3,648 meters above sea level. It marks the boundary between Gansu and Qinghai. It is also the key gateway for G215 as it runs south from Dunhuang to the Qaidam Basin, including Da Qaidam, Lenghu and Golmud. The pass has a boundary marker and prayer flags. On clear days, you can see snowy peaks and the Gobi in the distance, which makes it a classic stop for self-drive travelers on the Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop. It is about 110 km and two hours’ drive from downtown Dunhuang. Few people visit it on its own. Instead, it is usually a 15- to 30-minute stop on the transfer route between Dunhuang and Da Qaidam or Lenghu. Note: At high altitude the wind is strong and temperatures are low, so bring a jacket. Those with a history of altitude sickness should not stay long. This road has many heavy trucks, long slopes and sharp curves. In winter, check road conditions and closure notices.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Yangguan Pass
- Western Thousand Buddha Caves
- Dunhuang 100MW Molten Salt Solar Tower
- Dunhuang Ancient City Film Set
- Mingsha Mountain & Crescent Lake
- Leiyin Temple
- Dunhuang Grand Show
- Mogao Caves