The vegetation of the ecoregion exhibits altitude zoning typical to the Tibetan Plateau. Meadows are found below 3,300 meters, particularly on the drier southern slopes. Deciduous shrubs are dominant from 3,300 to 4,500 meters, and above 4,500 meters are found mostly cushion plants and barren rock. There are scattered sub-alpine conifer forests in the Qilian Mountains, mostly on the northern slopes; these forests constitute a separate ecoregion, the Qilian Mountains conifer forests.