Depsang Plains
The Depsang Plains, a high-altitude gravelly plain in the northwest portion of the disputed Aksai Chin region of Kashmir, divided into Indian and Chinese administered portions by a Line of Actual Control. India controls the western portion of the plains as part of Ladakh, while the eastern portion is controlled by China and claimed by India. The Line of Control with Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan is 80 kilometres (50 mi) west of the Depsang Plains, with the Siachen Glacier in-between. Ladakh's traditional trade route to Central Asia passed through the Depsang Plains, with the Karakoram Pass lying directly to its north.
| Depsang Plains | |
|---|---|
Depsang Plains Depsang Plains Depsang Plains | |
| Floor elevation | 17,400 ft (5,300 m) |
| Length | 25 mi (40 km) east-west |
| Width | 12–13 mi (19–21 km) north-south |
| Area | 310 sq mi (800 km2) |
| Geography | |
| Country | India, China |
| State | Ladakh, Xinjiang |
| Region | Aksai Chin |
| District | Leh district, Hotan County |
| Coordinates | 35.32°N 77.99°E |
| River | Chip Chap River Tributaries of Karakash River Tributaries of Burtsa Nala |
| Depsang Plains | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 達普桑平地 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 达普桑平地 | ||||||
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The Depsang plains are also part of the area called Sub-Sector North (SSN) by the Indian military. The area sees frequent tension between China and India. Major standoffs between the two countries occurred in 2013, 2015 and 2020.