Which mountain range stretches across western China and is often called the 'Backbone of Asia'?

The mountain range stretching across western China and often called the “Backbone of Asia” is the Kunlun Mountains. Extending for more than 3,000 kilometres, the range forms much of the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau and the southern boundary of the Tarim Basin.

The Kunlun system runs eastward from the Pamir region through southern Xinjiang and Qinghai toward Tibet. Its highest summit is Liushi Shan, also called Kunlun Goddess Peak, at roughly 7,167 metres. The range’s enormous length and position between the Tibetan Plateau and the deserts of Central Asia help explain its geographic importance.

The Kunlun Mountains also have deep cultural significance in China. The name appears in ancient Chinese writings, including the Classic of Mountains and Seas, where Kunlun was described as a semi-mythical mountain realm. Rivers such as the Karakash and Yurungkash descend from the range toward the Taklamakan Basin. A common mistake is choosing the Himalayas simply because they are more famous; the question’s western-China setting and “Backbone of Asia” nickname point to the Kunlun Mountains.