Riyue Mountain · Daotang River

Riyue Mountain · Daotang River

Guide Riyue Mountain, known as Chiling in the early Tang Dynasty, is located southwest of Huangyuan County and southeast of Qinghai Lake. It serves as both the boundary between Huangyuan and Gonghe counties and the dividing line between the agricultural and pastoral areas of Qinghai. At an altitude of 3,520 meters, it is a must-pass for travelers entering the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, hence earning the nicknames "Screen of the Western Sea" and "Gateway to the Grassland." Introduction Legend has it that when Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty passed through this mountain on her way to Tibet, she carried a precious mirror. When she climbed to the summit and looked eastward, failing to see her homeland of Chang’an, sorrow overwhelmed her, and the mirror slipped from her hand and broke into two halves—one turned into the golden sun, the other into the silver moon. The sun and moon shone brightly together, illuminating her westward journey. This place became a transit hub for material exchanges and diplomatic envoys between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo. Now, a bluestone tablet inscribed with “Riyue Mountain” stands at the mountain pass. At the mountaintop, there are the Sun Pavilion and Moon Pavilion, which face each other from afar. At the southern foot of the mountain flows the uniquely directed Daotang River. From the mountaintop, looking east reveals a pastoral landscape, while looking west unveils the shimmering Qinghai Lake and the beautiful, striking Heart of the Lake Island—quite a contrast to the gentle rural scenery. As visitors often say, “Climb Riyue Mountain, and you enter another world.” Transportation It is 100 kilometers from downtown Xining, reachable in about two hours by car. Most long-distance buses do not stop here. It is recommended to join a local travel agency for a one-day Qinghai Lake tour, which costs around 100 yuan per person.

There is still a bluestone stele inscribed with the three characters "Riyue Mountain" (Sun-Moon Mountain) on the mountain pass, and at the summit stand the Sun Pavilion and Moon Pavilion, which face each other from afar. At the southern foot of the mountain lies the uniquely flowing Daotang River. Standing atop the mountain and looking eastward, you’ll see idyllic pastoral scenery; look west, and you’ll be greeted by the shimmering waters of Qinghai Lake, with the picturesque Haixin Mountain standing out in striking contrast to the gentle rural beauty. Hence, visitors often say, “Climb Riyue Mountain, and you’ll step into another world.” Transportation: It is 100 kilometers from downtown Xining, and it takes about two hours to get there from the city center. Most long-distance buses do not stop here, so it is recommended to join a one-day Qinghai Lake tour organized by local travel agencies, which costs around 100 yuan per person.

Xining, Qinghai