Gangshika Snow Mountain

　　Gangshika rises prominently over the Longshan Mountain Range, and is the highest peak of Longshan, with an elevation of 5,254.5

　　meters. The snow-capped peak is located 40 kilometers northwest of the county town.

　　Gangshika, the most solemn and majestic ode on the land of Menyuan, is hailed as the foremost peak encircling Xining in West Qinghai. Towering into the sky, it displays the robust form of a man, exuding tremendous magnetic power in the wondrous natural world and in the hearts of believers.

　　The upper part of the main peak of Gangshika has a gently sloping terrain, composed of Tertiary sandstone and conglomerate. Its hard, horizontally layered rock formations create highly enticing stepped towers. The solid pagoda-like structure is embedded firmly into its majestic body. At the top of the pagoda, the eternally gleaming glaciers, crystalline and transparent, have cast their silvery light since time immemorial—like at the dawn of creation—illuminating the lofty snow peaks that rise proudly, resplendent and dazzling. Their glistening white contrasts sharply with the deep blue sky, creating a scene both majestic and serene, harmonizing nature’s raw beauty with tranquil grandeur.

　　This is a sacred mountain filled with myths and historical legends. According to local Tibetans, Gangshika is the progenitor of the thirteen great sacred mountains of the Huare Tibetan region and is also known as Ani Gangshika, meaning the most revered among all snowy peaks. It is a holy mountain in the hearts of both Mongolian and Tibetan people. In the legends of Kunlun mythology, it is one of the three palaces of the Queen Mother of the West. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, the Queen Mother holds grand feasts for the deities here. During the time of Zhang Gui of the Former Liang Dynasty, a shrine to the Queen Mother of the West was erected on its summit. During the Changqing era of Emperor Muzong of the Tang Dynasty, emissary Liu Yuanding, who negotiated peace with the local Tubo people, and during the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, Marquis Mu Ying of Xiping, among others, all came here to offer sacrifices to the Queen Mother of the West.

　　To this day, every year on the 15th of August, local herders hold grand sacrificial ceremonies to thank the Queen Mother of the West and the deity of Gangshika Mountain for their blessings. Aside from wearing pointed hats to circumambulate the mountain, kowtow, burn juniper incense, and chant scriptures, there is also a unique ritual: crafting a large paper bird, 1.5 meters tall and over 3 meters long, called “Xia Jie Qiang Qiong” (meaning King of All Birds) in Tibetan, which is then released into the sky from a high place. Li Shangyin wrote in one of his “Untitled” poems the famous lines: “To Penglai Mountain, the road is not far; the bluebird diligently goes to look.” This large paper bird represents the Queen Mother of the West’s messenger, the “Bluebird.” By releasing it, people hope the bluebird will act as an envoy to convey their wishes and prayers. To embody a joyous atmosphere of harmony between humans and deities, after the mountain worship ceremony, grand performances of song and dance, archery, and horse racing are held at the foot of the mountain to entertain the gods. Folklore says that the summit of Gangshika often sees the appearance of Buddha’s light.