Tianjun Mountain

Tianjun Mountain (also known as Tianqin Mountain or Tianqing Mountain) is located about 15 kilometers southwest of the county town, with an elevation of 4,125.4 meters. It is one of the 13 famous mountains around the lake. Towering and precipitous, the mountain presents a striking silhouette. Gazing upward, you’ll see wisps of light cloud and thin mist swirling around its mid-slopes, resembling an ink-wash painting. At times, the entire mountain disappears into the clouds, alternately obscured and revealed, adding to its poetic charm. There is only a narrow, winding path leading to the summit, resembling a sheep’s trail, flanked by steep cliffs on both sides. Once you reach the top, a vast expanse opens up—a flat grassland approximately 5 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide. In summer, the area is covered with lush grass and wildflowers. Herders drive their livestock up here to graze, not only for convenience but also for safety. The mountain's climate is unique: “Where there are clouds, there will be rain; where there is rain, it will turn to snow.” On thick foggy days, visibility is reduced to just a few steps, yet in crisp autumn weather, the sky is clear and blue, allowing you to gaze all the way to the azure waters of Qinghai Lake over a hundred kilometers away. To the southeast of Tianjun Mountain lies Tianjun Valley, and to the southwest lies Xiong Valley, both densely covered with willow shrubs, while the slopes are verdant with pine and cypress. This area is home to herds of blue sheep, bounding forest musk deer, as well as deer and bears. Within Tianjun Valley, there is a large rock shelter (known in Tibetan as Samkhang) and a seemingly bottomless “sky well.” The renowned Nyingma Red Sect leader, Gulang, once resided here. Nowadays, during summer and autumn, Tianjun Valley and Xiong Valley are lush and fragrant, alive with birdsong, making them popular spots for local residents to go on outings and have picnics.