Mount Zhariyongkang Sacred Mountain

Mount Zhariyongkang Sacred Mountain is located

Mount Zhariyongkang Sacred Mountain is located in a valley within Laima Township in the western part of Garze County, Garze Prefecture, approximately 36 kilometers

from the county town, on the north side of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. This oval-shaped small mountain stands about 50 meters tall and has a circumference of 500 meters. Although not large in area, the mountain boasts beautiful scenery, featuring dense cypress trees and shrubs, variously shaped rocks with mysterious patterns on them, as well as colorful prayer flags planted all around the sacred mountain. A small stream at the foot of the mountain flows from west to east through the mountain. In winter, visitors can explore the ice-covered caves and admire the uniquely shaped icicles. On the rocky cliffs opposite the sacred mountain are meditation caves used by eminent monks throughout history, with many traces of seated meditation inside. It is said that both Master Tsongkhapa and Guru Rinpoche once practiced here.

Legend has it that the famous Red Sect monk Dengdeng Daxiangduoji, on his way back to Tibet from Wutai Mountain, passed through Garze Rongbacha and sanctified this mountain as a sacred site for the “Three Protectors” — Guanyin, Manjushri, and Vajrapani. He also wrote the Record of Mount Zhariyongkang. Shortly after, Dengdeng Daxiangduoji went on to build the Katok Monastery in Baiyu.

Although not large in area, Mount Zhariyongkang is “not about height but the presence of the divine.” The mountain is covered with dense cypress trees and shrubs, offering beautiful scenery. Variously shaped rocks naturally display

mysterious patterns. The southern side resonates with the sound of the divine conch, while the eastern side echoes with the beat of the divine drum. The surroundings of the sacred mountain

are adorned with colorful prayer flags. A clear stream flows into a cave on the western side of the mountain and emerges at the base of the eastern slope. In winter, the cave at the foot of the mountain freezes over, allowing visitors to enter and marvel at the stunning array of stalactite formations, as well as appreciate the diverse shapes of icicles. On the rocky cliffs opposite the sacred mountain are meditation caves once inhabited by monks throughout history, marked with numerous traces of seated meditation. It is said that Guru Rinpoche and Master Tsongkhapa also practiced here.

On July 1st each year, local residents set up hundreds of tents on the nearby Laiyi Grassland near Mount Zhariyongkang to hold several days of divine worship, horse racing, and song and dance activities, with participation exceeding ten thousand people each time.