Tianjun Mountain

　　    Tianjun Mountain (also known as Tianqin Mountain or Tianqing Mountain) is situated approximately 15 kilometers southwest of the county town and stands at 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 dramatic silhouette. When you look up, wisps of thin clouds and mist curl around its mid-slopes, resembling an ink-wash painting. At times, the entire mountain disappears into the fog, alternately emerging and fading, adding to its poetic charm. There is only a single narrow and winding path leading to the summit, so tight it resembles a sheep’s intestine, with steep cliffs on both sides. Once you reach the top, however, the view opens up dramatically to reveal a flat grassland about 5 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide. In summer, the area is covered in lush wild grass and blooming alpine flowers. Herders often drive their livestock up to graze on the mountaintop—not only is it more convenient, but it's also much safer. The mountain’s climate has a notable quirk: “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, but in crisp autumn weather, the sky is clear and blue, and on a good day you can even see the deep blue waters of Qinghai Lake over 100 kilometers away. To the southeast of Tianjun Mountain lies Tianjun Gully, and to the southwest lies Xiong Gully—both are dense with willow shrubs, while the slopes are covered with thriving pines and cypresses. This mountainous region is home to herds of blue sheep, bounding forest musk deer, as well as deer and bears. Within Tianjun Gully, there is a large rock cave (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 Gully and Xiong Gully are lush, fragrant, and alive with birdsong, making them popular spots for local residents to go hiking and have picnics.