Mount Wanyan

Mount Wanyan

Mount Wanyan is located 45 kilometers from the county town and belongs to the Datong Mountain Range of the Qilian Mountain System. With an elevation of 4,517 meters, it is an isolated peak. Due to its resemblance to the Egyptian pyramids, locals proudly refer to it as the “Pyramid of Gangca.” The summit is perpetually snow-capped and often shrouded in clouds, while the foothills boast lush grasslands, earning it the nickname “Golden Grass Mountain.” “A-mi Wa-yan” is a compound term from Tibetan and Mongolian, meaning “wealthy grandfather.” In Tibetan, “A-mi” means grandfather or elder, and in Mongolian, “Wa-yan” means wealthy. The Mount Wanyan area is rich in flora and fauna, home to valuable medicinal alpine plants such as spring grass and snow lotus, as well as wild animals including snow cocks, blue sheep, and brown bears. The current Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Gansu Provincial People's Congress, Honorary Director of the Labrang Monastery Management Committee, and the Sixth Jamyang · Losang Jigme Thubten Choskyi Nyima were born at the foot of Mount Wanyan. There is a legend about Mount Wanyan: the three Wanyan brothers were land deities residing in Xinghai County, Hainan Prefecture, Qinghai. Due to a dispute, the brothers fell out, and the elder and younger Wanyan, out of spite, ran off to Gangca. They were persuaded to stay by Gangca’s guardian deity, Zhamar, who asked them to help manage the northern shore of Lake Qinghai. Since then, they have remained here. The third brother is still in Xinghai County, and the mountains there are strikingly similar. It is said that later migrant tribes who joined the Gangca tribe were able to thrive and grow in the region partly because Mount Wanyan, as an outsider deity, showed special care toward them. Another credible theory about Wanyan states that there are thirteen Wanyan peaks across the Amdo region, all considered land deities—one in Gangca, one in Gonghe County, one in Xinghai, and the Bayankala Mountain in Haixi (simply written differently but also called Wanyan in Tibetan). About 30 kilometers north of here lies Longdong Tianchi (Dragon Cave Heavenly Lake). At an elevation of 4,284 meters, this lake is said to be where ancient people witnessed dragons ascending into the sky from its waters. In Tibetan, it is called “Zhuodong,” where “Zhuo” means dragon and “Dong” means nest or lair—thus, “Dragon Lair.” Longdong Tianchi is abundant in flora and fauna and boasts enchanting scenery, making it a prime destination for adventure tourism. Both Mount Wanyan and Longdong Tianchi have been sites where the rare “waterspout” (dragon sucking water) phenomenon has occurred. Twenty kilometers north of Longdong Tianchi lies Muli Tan, the summer pastureland of Gangca.