Bedel Pass (Kyrgyz: Бедел ашуусу; modern Chinese: 别迭里山口) is a mountain pass in the Tian-Shan mountain range between Kyrgyzstan and China's Xinjiang province. It has an elevation of 4,284 metres (14,055 ft).[1] The pass linked China to Barskon, a settlement on the southern shore of lake Issyk-kul.
| Bedel Pass | |
|---|---|
 The Tian Shan Mountains with Lake Issyk-kul visible | |
| Elevation | 4,284 metres (14,055 ft) |
| Location | Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang, China |
| Range | Tian Shan Mountains |
| Bedel Pass | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 別迭裡山口 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 别迭里山口 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | Bedel pass | ||||||
| |||||||
| Alternative Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 勃達嶺 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 勃达岭 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | Bedel ridge | ||||||
| |||||||
| Second alternative Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 撥達嶺 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 拨达岭 | ||||||
| Literal meaning | Bedel ridge | ||||||
| |||||||
History
Historically, the Bedel Pass served as a Silk Road trade route between China and Central Asia. On the Chinese side, in the foothills, there is a signal beacon with the same name (别迭里烽燧) that was built during the Han dynasty as part of the Han Great Wall. The beacon was reused and renovated during the Tang dynasty.[2] During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the pass was the main trade route linking Tarim Basin and Western Turks in Central Asia. Chinese explorer Xuanzang who inspired the Chinese classic Journey to the West used this pass in the 7th Century on his journey to India.[3]
The pass was surveyed in 1881 by both Chinese and Russian counterparts as part of Protocol of Chuguchak of 1864 demarcating border in the region between Russian Empire and the Qing Dynasty.[4] During the Urkun incident of 1916, over 100,000 Kyrgyz reportedly died fleeing from Russian forces as they attempted to reach China through the Bedel Pass.[5]
The pass is currently closed to traffic.[6] Kumtor Gold Mine is located down the road on the Kyrgyzstanian side.[7]
References
- ^ (in Chinese) – via Wikisource.
别迭里山口（原苏联地图为4284.0米别迭里山口）
{{citation}}: Unknown parameter|trans_title=ignored (|trans-title=suggested) (help) - ^ "别迭里烽燧：古丝绸之路上的驿站" [Bedel Beacon: A relay on the ancient Silk Road]. 远方的家. Season 长城内外. Episode 194 (in Chinese). 2016-07-21. China Central Television. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
- ^ Wang, Zhihong (2006). Dust in the Wind: Retracing Dharma Master Xuanzang's Western Pilgrimage. Rhythms Monthly. p. 80. ISBN 9789868141988.
He then traveled southwest via the Bedel Pass, 4,284 meters above sea level. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, this was the main mountain pass linking Western Turk and the kingdoms located in the Tarim Basin.
- ^ "The Lost Frontier – Treaty Maps that Changed Qing's Northwestern Boundaries_Demarcating and Signposting". National Palace Museum. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
...a joint survey of the borders from Bedel daban to Uz-bel.
- ^ Pannier, Bruce (2006-08-02). "Kyrgyzstan: Victims Of 1916 'Urkun' Tragedy Commemorated". RFE/RL. Retrieved 2006-08-02.
- ^ "Barskoon". visitkarakol.com. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
...passing over the Bedel Pass (4,284 m) into China (the section from Kara-Say to Bedel Pass is now closed).
- ^ "Bedel Pass". dangerousroads.org. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
It is now the main road leading to the Kumtor Gold mine
41°24′30″N 78°24′30″E / 41.40833°N 78.40833°E
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