View source for Torugart Pass

{{Short description|Pass in the Tian Shan mountain range}}
{{Infobox mountain pass
| name = Torugart Pass
| photo = torugartcrossing.jpg
| photo_caption = The [[China|Chinese]] border crossing at the Torugart Pass on the road between [[Naryn]] ([[Kyrgyzstan]]) and [[Kashgar]] ([[Xinjiang]])
| elevation_m = 3752
| elevation_ref = 
| traversed = {{jct|country=CHN|G|315}} – {{RouteBox|ЭМ-11||#1E90FF}} ЭМ-11 ([[European route E125|E125]])
| location = [[China]]–[[Kyrgyzstan]] border
| range = [[Tian Shan]]
| map = China Xinjiang Southern# Kyrgyzstan
| label_position = top
| coordinates = {{coord|type:pass|display=title,inline}}
| topo = 
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 6
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
|s=吐尔尕特山口
|t=吐爾尕特山口
|p=Tǔ'ěrgǎtè shānkǒu
|s2=图噜噶尔特山口
|t2=圖嚕噶爾特山口
|p2=Túlūgá'ĕrtè shānkŏu
|uig=تورغات ئېغىزى
|uly=Torghat éghizi
|usy=Торғат еғизи
|lang1 = ky
|lang1_content = {{nowrap|{{lang|ky-Arab|تورۇعارت اشۇۇسۇ}}<br />{{lang|ky|Торугарт ашуусу}}<br />{{lang|ky-Latn|Torugart ashuusu}}}}
|lang2             = [[Russian language|Russian]]
|lang2_content     = Перевал Торугарт
}}
'''Torugart Pass'''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/china00pete|url-access=registration|title=China the Silk Routes|author=Peter Neville-Hadley|series=[[Cadogan Guides]]|isbn=1-86011-052-5|publisher=[[Globe Pequot Press]]|page=[https://archive.org/details/china00pete/page/289 289]|year=1997|via=[[Internet Archive]]|quote=Torugart Pass}}</ref> ({{Langx|ug|تورغات ئېغىزى|Torghat ëghizi}}; {{Langx|ky|تورۇعارت اشۇۇسۇ|Torughart ashuusu}}; {{lang-zh|s=吐尔尕特山口}};<ref name=geo>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://new.bizdin.kg/media/books/География_Кыргызстана.pdf|title=Торугарт ашуусу|trans-title=Torugart Pass|encyclopedia=Кыргызстандын Географиясы [Geography of Kyrgyzstan]|page=89|language=ky|publisher = Мамлекеттик тил жана энциклопедия борбору [State Language and Encyclopedia Center] | year=2004|location=Bishkek}}</ref> {{Langx|ru|Перевал Торугарт}}) is a [[mountain pass]] in the [[Tian Shan]] mountain range near the border between the [[Naryn Region]] of [[Kyrgyzstan]] and the [[Xinjiang|Xinjiang Autonomous Region]] of [[China]]. It is one of two border crossings between Kyrgyzstan and China, the other being [[Erkeshtam]], some {{cvt|165|km|mi|0}} to the southwest.

The scenic lake [[Chatyr-Köl]] lies near the pass on the Kyrgyz side. The road to [[Naryn]] and then to [[Balykchy]] and [[Bishkek]]&mdash;stretching for some {{Convert|400|km|abbr=on}}&mdash;is narrow and in winter often impassable due to heavy snowfall and frequent [[avalanche]]s. On the Chinese side, the Torugart Port of Entry (吐尔尕特口岸), where travelers must clear for customs, is located about {{Convert|110|km|abbr=on}} from the pass itself in [[Ulugqat County]] of the [[Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture]]. Distances from the pass to major cities are: {{Convert|110|km|abbr=on}} to [[Ulugqat]], {{Convert|165|km|abbr=on}} to [[Kashgar]], {{Convert|170|km}} to [[Artux]] and some {{Convert|1630|km|abbr=on}} to [[Ürümqi]].

The pass is also terminus of [[European route E125]] and, under the new National Highway plans, the [[China National Highway 315]], but neither are signed in this area by 2020.

==History==
The pass has been used since antiquity. During the [[Han dynasty]] it was under the jurisdiction of a micro-state called '''Juandu''' ({{lang|zh-hans|捐毒国}}). During the [[Tang dynasty]], the region came under Tang control as part of [[Anxi Protectorate]].<ref>{{Cite web
|script-title=zh:吐尔尕特口岸
| trans-title = Torugart Port
| author = Kizilsu Prefecture Historical Almanac Office
| website = www.xjkz.gov.cn ([[Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture|Kizilsu Prefecture]] Government Website)
| date = 2007-10-05
| access-date = 2017-02-02
| url = http://www.xjkz.gov.cn/8043a2b5-1162-4803-97d3-99b27ad8cb99_1.html
| language = zh
| quote = {{lang|zh-hans|汉代吐尔尕特一带属捐毒国。...到了唐代，这里归属安西四镇（焉耆、碎叶、于阗、疏勒）之一的疏勒都督府。}}
}}</ref>

{{citation needed span|Russia and China first established a port of entry at the Torugart Pass in 1881. In 1906, Russia's Sino-Russian Transport Bank financed the construction of the road from the pass to Kashgar for 20 million rubles. In 1952, the Torugart Pass replaced the [[Irkeshtam]] Pass, which lies some {{Convert|165|km|abbr=on}} southwest, as the primary overland link between Xinjiang and the then-[[Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic|Soviet Kyrgyz Republic]]. The pass was closed in 1969 due to the [[Sino-Soviet Split]] and reopened again in 1983. In 1995, the Torugart Port of Entry was relocated to a lower elevation (2,000m), closer to [[Kashgar]], some {{Convert|57|km|abbr=on}} away.|date=October 2020}}

The pass is open to all nationalities but clearance requires careful arrangement of transportation.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://caravanistan.com/border-crossings/kyrgyzstan/torugart-pass/|title = Torugart Pass |access-date = 11 November 2015|website = Caravanistan }}</ref>

=== Planned railway ===
A [[China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway]] going through Torugart Pass has been in the works that would connect [[Kashgar]] and the [[Ferghana Valley]] since 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine| title = China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Scheme: Fears, Hopes and Prospects| first = Roman| last = Muzalevsky| magazine = Eurasia Daily Monitor| publisher = [[Jamestown Foundation]]| date = 2012-05-30| access-date = 2017-02-01| url = https://jamestown.org/program/china-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-railway-scheme-fears-hopes-and-prospects/| quote = On April 17, Chinese construction corporation CRBC agreed to perform a feasibility study for the project within a year.}}</ref> The railway would lead from Kashgar to [[Jalal-Abad]] and further on to the Uzbek city of [[Andijan]].<ref name="yang"/> However, the Kyrgyz section of the rail has been stalled due to financial and technical issues<ref>{{cite magazine| title = Bishkek Puts Brakes on China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan Railway| first = Fozil| last = Mashrab| magazine = Eurasia Daily Monitor| publisher = [[Jamestown Foundation]]| date = 2015-11-03| access-date = 2017-02-01| url = https://jamestown.org/program/bishkek-puts-brakes-on-china-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-railway/| quote = Bishkek and Beijing seek to implement despite financial and technical issues}}</ref> and possibly due to [[Russia]]n and [[Kazakhstan|Kazakh]] opposition to the project.<ref name="yang"/> In 2023, the project development received new push from the governments of the three countries involved.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yau |first=Niva |date=23 March 2023 |title=China Is Finally Making Progress on the China-Kyrgyzstan--Uzbekistan-Railway |url=https://www.fpri.org/article/2023/03/china-is-finally-making-progress-on-the-china-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-railway/ |access-date=3 April 2024 |website=Foreign Policy Research Institute}}</ref> A tripartite agreement was signed on 17 September 2022 during the [[Shanghai Cooperation Organisation|Shanghai Cooperation Organization]] summit,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Zavior |date=4 December 2024 |title=The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway: The Troubling Prospects and Why Renegotiations Should be Considered |url=http://www.cpreview.org/articles/2023/12/the-china-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-railway-the-troubling-prospects-and-why-renegotiations-should-be-considered |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Columbia Political Review}}</ref> although funding was yet to be secured at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Torogeldi |first1=Bakyt |last2=Chynybaeva |first2=Baktygul |date=October 31, 2023 |title=Ambitious China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Project Faces Major Funding Challenges |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/china-kyrgyzstan-uzbekistan-railway-project-challenges/32661996.html |access-date=3 April 2024 |work=Radio Free Europe}}</ref> An inaugural ceremony was held in [[Jalal-Abad]] in December 2024<ref>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=30 December 2024 |title=Construction of China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway launched |url=https://www.gazeta.uz/en/2024/12/30/railway |website=Gazeta |access-date=19 February 2025}}</ref> and construction is set to begin in July 2025.<ref name="yang">{{cite web |last=Yang |first=William |date=9 January 2025 |title=China aims to deepen Central Asia influence with new railway project |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/china-aims-to-deepen-central-asia-influence-with-new-railway-project/7930839.html |website=[[Voice of America]] |access-date=19 February 2025}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="160">
File:Seidenstrasse GMT Ausschnitt Zentralasien.jpg|The ancient silk road showing the general location of the pass
File:Alma-Ata NK-43 (1948) - panoramio.jpg|Map of the region including the Torugart Pass (unlabelled; roads can be seen) ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1948)
File:Operational Navigation Chart F-6, 6th edition.jpg|Map of the region including the Torugart Pass (unlabelled; roads can be seen) ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1985)
File:E7967-Bishkek-West-Bus-Terminal-ticket-office.jpg|A ticket office at [[Bishkek]]'s West Bus Terminal informs passengers about the schedule and route of the Bishkek-Artush-Kashgar bus traveling via Torugart Pass
File:Torugart Road.jpg
</gallery>

==Climate==

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location = Torugart Pass, elevation {{convert|3504|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals)
|Jan high C = 	-8.1
|Feb high C = 	-6.2
|Mar high C = 	-1.7
|Apr high C = 	3.6
|May high C = 	7.7
|Jun high C = 	11.4
|Jul high C = 	14.4
|Aug high C = 	13.8
|Sep high C = 	9.9
|Oct high C = 	3.2
|Nov high C = 	-1.9
|Dec high C = 	-6.2
|Jan mean C = 	-14.6
|Feb mean C = 	-12.7
|Mar mean C = 	-7.6
|Apr mean C = 	-1.8
|May mean C = 	2.1
|Jun mean C = 	5.5
|Jul mean C = 	8.1
|Aug mean C = 	7.6
|Sep mean C = 	3.8
|Oct mean C = 	-2.7
|Nov mean C = 	-8.1
|Dec mean C = 	-12.9
|Jan low C = 	-20.4
|Feb low C = 	-18.9
|Mar low C = 	-13.3
|Apr low C = 	-6.4
|May low C = 	-2.3
|Jun low C = 	0.6
|Jul low C = 	2.5
|Aug low C = 	2.0
|Sep low C = 	-1.6
|Oct low C = 	-7.6
|Nov low C = 	-13.4
|Dec low C = 	-18.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 	3.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 	4.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 	17.7
|Apr precipitation mm = 	26.6
|May precipitation mm = 	44.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 	50.2
|Jul precipitation mm = 	43.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 	45.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 	26.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 	21.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 	8.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 	6.2
|Jan humidity = 	57
|Feb humidity = 	59
|Mar humidity = 	60
|Apr humidity = 	59
|May humidity = 	60
|Jun humidity = 	59
|Jul humidity = 	55
|Aug humidity = 	56
|Sep humidity = 	57
|Oct humidity = 	61
|Nov humidity = 	57
|Dec humidity = 	58
|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 	4.5
|Feb precipitation days = 	6.8
|Mar precipitation days = 	10.2
|Apr precipitation days = 	11.6
|May precipitation days = 	14.8
|Jun precipitation days = 	15.8
|Jul precipitation days = 	13.6
|Aug precipitation days = 	13.3
|Sep precipitation days = 	9.8
|Oct precipitation days = 	9.4
|Nov precipitation days = 	6.4
|Dec precipitation days = 	5.1
|year precipitation days = 
|Jan sun = 	217.1
|Feb sun = 	207.7
|Mar sun = 	243.6
|Apr sun = 	259.2
|May sun = 	272.8
|Jun sun = 	276.5
|Jul sun = 	302.1
|Aug sun = 	278.9
|Sep sun = 	255.2
|Oct sun = 	245.4
|Nov sun = 	221.2
|Dec sun = 	207.6
|year sun = 
| Jan percentsun = 	72
| Feb percentsun = 	68
| Mar percentsun = 	65
| Apr percentsun = 	64
| May percentsun = 	61
| Jun percentsun = 	62
| Jul percentsun = 	67
| Aug percentsun = 	67
| Sep percentsun = 	70
| Oct percentsun = 	73
| Nov percentsun = 	76
| Dec percentsun = 	72
| year percentsun =
|Jan snow days = 	10.7
|Feb snow days = 	13.3
|Mar snow days = 	16.7
|Apr snow days = 	16.7
|May snow days = 	19.8
|Jun snow days = 	15.3
|Jul snow days = 	8.4
|Aug snow days = 	8.6
|Sep snow days = 	13.2
|Oct snow days = 	15.0
|Nov snow days = 	11.6
|Dec snow days = 	10.7
|year snow days = 
|source 1 = [[China Meteorological Administration]]<ref name="cma graphical">{{cite web |url=http://data.cma.cn/data/weatherBk.html |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data |publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans |access-date=10 October 2023}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web|url=https://experience.arcgis.com/template/e724038fda394e9d9b7921f10fd1aa55/page/%E7%BA%AF%E8%A1%A8%E6%A0%BC%E7%BB%9F%E8%AE%A1-(%E5%AF%B9%E6%AF%948110%E5%8F%98%E5%8C%96)/?org=UQmaps |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网|publisher=[[China Meteorological Administration]] |language = zh-hans | access-date =10 October 2023}}</ref>
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Asia}}
* [[China–Kyrgyzstan border]]
* [[Geography of China]]
* [[Geography of Kyrgyzstan]]
* [[Geostrategy in Central Asia]]
* [[Baykurut]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Xinjiang topics}}
{{Mountain passes of China}}

[[Category:Mountain passes of China]]
[[Category:Mountain passes of Xinjiang]]
[[Category:Transport in Xinjiang]]
[[Category:Mountain passes of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[Category:China–Kyrgyzstan border crossings]]
[[Category:Sites along the Silk Road]]
[[Category:Tian Shan]]