Nangmenxia Reservoir

　　Nangmenxia Reservoir is located 15 kilometers north of Weiyuan Town in Huzhu County, about 55 kilometers from Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province. Construction began in 1973, and the reservoir was completed in 1985, with a water storage capacity of 18 million cubic meters. The area around the reservoir boasts beautiful scenery, with towering cliffs on the eastern and western mountains facing each other. In the height of summer, pleasure boats shuttle across the water, water birds gather, and fish leap about. Visitors flock here for vacation and sightseeing.

　　Major attractions include Shitianmen (Stone Heavenly Gate), Erlang Shuanma Zhuang (Erlang’s Horse-Tethering Post), Xiaotianquan Tiesuo Cao (Howling Celestial Dog’s Iron Chain Trough), Erlang Jia Kuoshi (Erlang’s Cauldron Rock), and Erlang Jia Kui (Erlang’s Armor Helmet). Each site is associated with a beautiful legend. It is said that Shitianmen was formed when the deity Erlang shot an arrow at a demon dragon, and the arrow pierced through the peak of the eastern mountain. Inside, there is a stone pillar known as Erlang’s horse-tethering post. The iron chain trough was created when the Howling Celestial Dog pursued the injured demon dragon, leaving a deep groove from the iron chain around its neck. The Cauldron Rock marks the spot where Erlang and his seven brothers from Meishan set up camp and cooked outdoors. Nearby, a crack in a rock wall is said to be where Erlang stored his armor after defeating the demon—now referred to as “Erlang’s Armor Helmet.” These vivid and enchanting legends stir the imagination, captivate visitors, and make this an ideal destination for summer retreats and spring outings.