Riyue Mountain

　　Riyue Mountain is situated at the border between the southern part of Huangyuan County and Gonghe County. It lies approximately 40-plus kilometers from Huangyuan County town, with its highest peak reaching an altitude of 4,877 meters. During the Tang Dynasty, it was called “Chiling” (Red Ridge), named for the reddish sand atop the mountain. It is part of the western end of the Laji Mountain Range, stretching from Erhai Lake east of Qinghai Lake in the north to Qunjia in Huangzhong in the south, extending for dozens of miles. Riyue Mountain serves as the watershed between the outward-flowing rivers in eastern Qinghai and the inland rivers, as well as the natural boundary between the agricultural and pastoral areas of eastern Qinghai. The mountain features undulating ridges, towering peaks, a cold climate, abundant rainfall, and lush grasslands. The landscapes on either side of the mountain base are strikingly different: to the west lies a vast, boundless grassland covered with rich pasture and herds of cattle and sheep, while to the east are scattered villages, terraced fields, and golden waves of wheat in the farmland. From June to September each year, the mountainsides are covered in green grass and blooming wildflowers, dotted with tents, presenting a spectacular scene.

　　Riyue Mountain, located at a strategic pass, features rugged terrain and holds significant strategic importance. Since ancient times, it has been a vital transportation route from the inland of the motherland to the southwestern frontier, as well as a bond for friendly exchanges and trade between the Han and Tibetan peoples. As early as the Han Dynasty, Riyue Mountain had become a major relay station along China’s “Silk Auxiliary Route.” During the Tang Dynasty, it became an essential passage on the ancient Tang-Tibet Road.

　　Riyue Mountain is renowned both in ancient and modern times, and is associated with many legends. Among them, the most widely spread and touching is the story of Princess Wencheng’s journey to Tibet. Legend has it that, in order to foster lasting peace between the Han and Tibetan peoples, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty betrothed his royal kinswoman, Princess Wencheng, to King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. Princess Wencheng, accompanied by Prince Li Daizong of Jiangxia and Tibetan minister Gar Tongtsen Yülsung, set out from the capital Chang’an and traveled westward until they reached Riyue Mountain. When the princess ascended to the mountaintop and looked around, she saw two completely different worlds on either side of the mountain: one side nourished by rain with lush grass, the other weighed down by snow with withered plants; one side veiled in mist with fresh branches, the other covered in icy flakes with parched leaves. Even the sun and moon here seemed less bright and warm than those of her homeland. Overcome with emotion, she was filled with longing and sorrow, and tears streamed down her face. Upon hearing that the princess missed her family and was reluctant to continue westward, Emperor Taizong, wishing to ease her heartache, specially forged a round Ruyi mirror called the “Sun and Moon Treasure Mirror.” He said that if the princess missed home, she could look into the mirror and see her parents and homeland. However, the Tibetan minister escorting her, fearing she might turn back upon seeing her family, secretly replaced the treasure mirror with a stone-carved version. When the princess looked into the mirror, she couldn’t see her parents in Chang’an. Thinking her father had deceived her out of indifference, she grew furious, threw the stone mirror aside, and resolutely continued her journey west. Later, people renamed Chiling as Riyue Mountain. During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, the Tang Empire and the Tibetan Kingdom also erected a stele on the mountain top symbolizing the harmony between Han and Tibetan peoples. With Riyue Mountain as the boundary, the two ethnic groups lived in peace and used the area as a hub for tea-horse trade.

　　Although Riyue Mountain is not as high as Kunlun nor as steep as Jishi, and lacks verdant forests or jagged rocks, it presents a vast and solemn expanse. Yet, throughout history, many travelers have been eager to climb Riyue Mountain in search of traces left by Princess Wencheng during her journey. For this reason, temples were built atop the mountain in earlier times, though unfortunately, they were later destroyed. In recent years, two uniquely designed pavilions — the Sun Pavilion and the Moon Pavilion — have been constructed at the mountain pass, offering visitors a place to explore and admire.