Riyue Mountain & Daotang River

　　    Guide     Riyue Mountain was known as Chiling in the early Tang Dynasty. Located southwest of Huangyuan County and southeast of Qinghai Lake, it serves as the boundary between Huangyuan and Gonghe counties as well as the dividing line between the farming and pastoral areas of Qinghai. At an elevation of 3,520 meters, it is a necessary passageway for travelers entering the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, hence it is called the “Screen of the West Sea” or the “Gateway to the Grasslands.” 　 　    Introduction   　　Legend has it that when Princess Wencheng was on her way to Tibet, she carried a precious mirror. When she climbed to the top of the mountain and looked eastward but could not see her hometown of Chang’an, she was overcome with grief. The mirror slipped from her hand and fell to the ground, breaking into two halves—one half turned into the golden sun, the other into the silver moon. The sun and moon shone together, illuminating her westward journey. This place became a transit hub for trade and the exchange of envoys between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo.

　　       Today, there still stands a bluestone tablet inscribed with the three characters “Riyue Mountain” at the mountain pass. At the summit 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. Standing at the mountaintop and looking east, you’ll see idyllic pastoral scenery; look westward, and you’ll find the blue waves of Qinghai Lake and the picturesque Haixin Mountain, a striking contrast to the gentle rural beauty. That’s why visitors often say, “Climb Riyue Mountain, and you’ll enter a whole new world.”    Transport      It is about 100 kilometers from downtown Xining and can be reached in roughly two hours from Xining. Most long-distance buses do not stop here, so it is recommended to join a local travel agency for a one-day tour of Qinghai Lake, with costs around 100 yuan per person.

　　 Xining, Qinghai