In Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, there is a snow mountain that embodies the charm of northern landscapes, called Gangshika. The mountain stands at an elevation of5254.5meters, making it the highest peak in the eastern section of the Qilian Mountains. Its summit is perpetually covered in snow, shining brilliantly under the sun like a silver dragon, and it is also the tallest among all the mountains in Menyuan. From a distance, it usually appears pure white, and when the setting sun casts its glow,“the Sunset over Dragon Peak”, one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Menyuan, is created. With its moderate altitude, Gangshika Snow Mountain is an ideal destination for hiking and mountaineering enthusiasts, as well as a training base for climbing and alpine trekking. As the popularity of mountaineering and adventure tourism in the province continues to grow, it has attracted numerous domestic and international adventure tourists.
1Overview
Gangshika Snow Mountain, also known as“the Main Peak of the Lenglong Range”, , stands at an elevation of5254.5meters, with the snow line at4200meters on the northern slope and4400meters on the southern slope. The mountain is primarily composed of slightly acidic quartz amphibolite, gneiss, plagioclase hornfels, and basic volcanic rocks, and geologically belongs to the Caledonian fold belt of the North Qilian Mountains. It combines the magnificence of modern glaciers with a complete range of vegetation zones, making it an ideal location for scientific research, mountaineering, adventure, and sightseeing. The summit features glaciers that are millions of years old, with snow that never melts and a climate that changes unpredictably and mysteriously—sometimes it's bright blue skies and gleaming white snow, other times fierce storms bring darkness and howling winds, occasionally triggering avalanches that roar like dragons and tigers, with flying snow that sends chills down one’s spine. When the setting sun casts its glow and the evening sky glows softly, the snow-capped summit sparkles brilliantly, sometimes showing hues of crimson, lavender, and dark blue, resembling a silver dragon roaming through a field of flowers, with rising evening mist, known as“the Sunset over Dragon Ridge”, one of the Ancient Eight Scenic Spots of Menyuan.
2Mythical Legends
During the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty, Western Ping Marquis Mu Ying and Western Expedition General Deng Yu once pursued the Qiang people to this area. Historical records also state that in the year345, Jiuquan Prefect Ma Ji said to Zhang Jun of the Former Liang:""The southern mountain of Jiuquan is Kunlun. In ancient times, King Mu of Zhou journeyed west to Kunlun and met the Queen Mother of the West here. The Queen Mother had the body of a tiger, the tail of a leopard, a human face, and the teeth of a tiger, was entirely white, and lived in a cave in the snowy mountains. This mountain is an ancient branch of Kunlun, and it is suitable to establish a shrine to the Queen Mother of the West to pray for boundless blessings for the court.""Zhang Jun agreed, and thus a Queen Mother Shrine was built on Gangshika Mountain, named"Kunlun". During the Changqing era of Emperor Muzong of the Tang Dynasty (year807-821), envoy Liu Yuanding ascended this mountain while on a mission to Tibet for peace talks. The mountain reflects sunlight on its snow and the mist often appears purple, hence it is also called"Purple Mountain". The forests at the foot of the mountain are dense and dark greenish-black, so in the ancient Qiang language, it was called"Mengmoli Mountain". Among the thirteen great mountain deities revered in the vast Huare Tibetan region, it is honored as the foremost deity, enjoying the prestigious title of "A-mi Gangshika" (meaning Lord Snow Mountain). The local Tibetans revere white as an auspicious color. On the 15th day of the eighth lunar month each year, they hold grand ceremonies to worship the Gangshika Mountain God. The event is not only marked by lamas chanting scriptures but also includes horse racing, wrestling, shooting competitions, and other activities. There is also a unique sacrificial tradition: every year, a large bird figure measuring1.5meters in height and3meters in length is made from paper, called in Tibetan"Xia Jieqiangqiong"(meaning "King of a Hundred Birds") was released during a high-altitude flight to commemorate the Queen Mother of the West and her bluebird messenger. According to the "Classic of Mountains and Seas: The Great Wilderness – The West,"""To the west lies the Mountain of the Queen Mother,……where there are three bluebirds with red heads and black eyes.""Guo Pu explained:""These three bluebirds are all messengers of the Queen Mother.""Later generations also referred to messengers as bluebirds. The allusion in Li Shangyin’s verse""No long road to Mount Penglai; the bluebird comes in earnest to inquire""originates from this story.
3Attraction Introduction
In Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, there stands a snow-capped peak that embodies the scenery of northern China—----Gangshika Snow Peak. It is the closest first peak in the Xining tourism circle and one of the three key snow peaks designated for development by the Qinghai Provincial Mountaineering Sports Management Center. With a moderate altitude, Gangshika Snow Peak is an ideal destination for hiking and exploration enthusiasts, and also serves as a training base for mountaineering and mountain trekking. As the popularity of adventure tourism in our province continues to rise, it has attracted numerous domestic and international adventure tourists. On clear days, the majestic and solitary Gangshika Snow Mountain can be clearly seen from the Dabanshan Ring Road, standing proudly with a truly spectacular presence.
Gangshika Snow Peak covers an area of approximately450square kilometers. Also known as the Cold Dragon Ridge, it is one of the main peaks of the Qilian Mountains, with an elevation ranging between4000meters—5000meters. The mountain extends in a northwest–southeast direction, spanning over—kilometers within Qinghai Province, and is about280kilometers long and30—50kilometers wide. Currently, it is not open to foreign visitors.4500In the height of summer, Gangshika Snow Peak remains icy cold, with modern glaciers found above elevations of81meters, covering a total glacier area of
square kilometers. When the sun sets and the sky is painted with evening glow, the snow-capped summit glistens brilliantly, while below the snow line lies vast grasslands and seas of rapeseed flowers. The dramatic differences in altitude, complex landforms, and the magical combination of glaciers and hot springs, lakes and rivers, give the area a profound charm and an elegant, soaring spirit.
4Surrounded by overlapping mountain ranges, Gangshika Snow Peak features distinct vertical vegetation distribution. The ancient glaciers at the summit are rarely visited by humans, while icefalls and icicles present a majestic sight. Crystal-clear streams and colorful waterfalls flow below, and the foothills are covered with lush grass, blooming flowers, and grazing herds of livestock. Rare wild animals often appear here. It is regarded as the crystal palace of the Queen Mother of the West in mythology and is revered as the foremost of the thirteen great mountain deities by the Huare Tibetan people. The site holds significant historical, artistic, and scientific value. With its stunning natural beauty, it is also a prime destination for sightseeing, scientific research, and mountaineering adventures. The combination of grasslands, snow mountains, villages, ancient religious culture, and vibrant ethnic customs forms the theme of its distinctive tourism offerings, carving out a unique niche in the travel market with strong regional characteristics.
Geographic Location and Climate Conditions
Geographic Location227Gangshika Snow Peak is located in the northern part of Menyuan Hui Autonomous County, north of Qingshizui Town, northeast of Dongtan Village in Huangcheng Mongolian Ethnic Township, situated between the Datong River and the Hexi Corridor.147It lies at kilometer101.46on National Highway37.69, with geographical coordinates at longitudeK147+500degrees and latitude14kilometers, with a fourth-grade sandy road.
Climate Conditions
The Gangshika Snow Mountain area has a high-cold semi-temperate climate, with an average annual temperature of around1°C,550 600mm of annual precipitation,80%with the majority of the annual rainfall concentrated in5 9months,1the average temperature in-13.5°C in7month is12°C.3and4months experience strong winds.6 7month and9 10are the best seasons for mountaineering,8month is the local rainy season, which is not conducive to peak climbing activities.
5Climbing History
2000In7month, a joint university mountaineering team from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and Hong Kong (Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan) with19members did not reach the summit.
2002In10month, a Japanese Niigata Mountain Mountaineering Team with16members did not reach the summit.
2004In10month, a Japanese Nagano Middle-Aged and Senior Mountaineering Team with27members,3of whom reached the summit..
2006In5month, on2afternoon3:27Hunan, China8Nicknamed Donkey, Old Sheep, and Bandit2people successfully reached the summit.
2006Year8Month, Lanzhou, Gansu8team members did not reach the summit
2007Year6Month24Day12Hour55Minute, Laizou from Qinghai Outdoor Alliance and Zhang Yong from Xining Litih Youth Hostel reached the summit
*2007Year6,7Month period, several other mountaineers reached the summit successively, with no detailed records kept
2012Year7Month24Day, the Green Camp Mountaineering Team of Beijing Normal University,9team members,4people reached the summit, completing the first ascent by a university club.
2012Year10Month5Day, the Qinghai Zhengtu Outdoor Adventure Club mountaineering team,10team members reached the summit.
2014Year7Month29Day, Ningxia Shizuishan Yuanye Outdoor Sports Club4team members, Li Honghai1people reached the summit;
6Climbing route
Climbing Gangshika mainly involves ice and snow techniques, with many crevasses along the route. Climbers should move in roped teams and avoid ascending blindly. It’s best to have a guide for the climb. In the Gangshika area, establishing the route and reaching the summit generally requires3days of good weather. Compared to the same altitude in the interior of the Tibetan Plateau, the oxygen level here is higher, so there is usually no significant altitude sickness. This is because its northern slope lies on the Hexi Corridor, at an elevation of only1300meters or so.
BC→C1
BCIt is far fromC1, with a distance of about5.5kilometers, involving an elevation gain of approximately530meters, and takes4 5hours. The route gradually ascends, first passing through a section of scree slope about2.5kilometers long. However, some parts of the route have larger rocks, so hiking boots and trekking poles are recommended. About300meters below the snowline, there is a section of scree slope with a gradient of over40degrees, which is difficult to traverse and requires careful passage. After climbing the40-degree scree slope, you then reach the snowline. Crossing a ridge, you continue ascending along a“zigzag”route until you arrive at theC1camp located just below the snowline of Gangshika Peak. The route has thick surface snow (watch out for crevasses), so travel in roped teams and avoid going alone. Protection is needed when climbing the slopes. Overnight stay atC1.
C1→Summit
The elevation difference fromC1to the summit is about646meters, taking roughly7 8hours. It’s best to set off from05:00in the morning. From the camp, the route climbs a small ridge aboutC1Depart. The campsite leads upward to approximately200meters long with a slope of around35degrees. Beyond the ridge is a flat area of about500meters, and after crossing this, you reach the foot of the main peak and prepare for the final push to the summit. The slope of the approach route is about40degrees, and ice slopes may appear along the way. Roped team climbing with protection measures is essential—solo climbing is not advisable. Time management is crucial; it’s best to reach the summit before1:00 PM, as the highland weather tends to change significantly after midday.
Summit→C1
When taking photos at the summit, ensure mutual protection and stay vigilant. Avoid prolonged exposure without gloves or snow goggles to prevent frostbite and snow blindness, and do not linger for too long. When descending, control your speed, stick to the original route as much as possible, avoid blindly creating new paths, move in roped teams for protection, guard against slipping or falling, and prioritize safety.
7Travel Guide
Elevation of Gangshika Mountain Peak5254The relatively moderate altitude makes it an ideal destination for domestic mountaineering enthusiasts who are new to snow-capped peaks. It’s suitable for activities such as hiking and ice climbing training. The peak is rich in legends and holds great market potential. There are numerous developable attractions nearby, such as boating, swimming, and fishing on the lakes, as well as winter ski and ice-skating facilities. Potential developments like a film studio could create a comprehensive mountaineering and tourism service area. In summer, the area surrounding the peak boasts lush vegetation, birdsong, floral scents, and the captivating scenery of Haibei and the Qilian Mountains. As living standards improve, more urban dwellers are drawn to immersive natural landscapes—to connect with nature, breathe its purity, and enjoy its tranquility. Thus, the burgeoning trends of hiking and trekking in China find great promise in the Gangshika region. An added advantage is its exceptional accessibility, just180kilometers from Xining, with no repetitive routes in its travel itinerary. In mid-7, the vast rapeseed flower seas of Menyuan stretch as far as the eye can see around Gangshika. The renowned“Tour of Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race”designates this area as a key competition segment every year. Transportation from Xining to Gangshika is highly convenient, with two available routes:
1.Xining--Datong--Dabanshan Mountain--Qingshizui--Panpo Pass--Seven-Colored Waterfall--Gangshika Snow Peak Base Camp (ErTai)--Summit;
2.Xining-Huzhu Tuzu Autonomous County-Beishan Forest Farm-Menyuan County-Shizui Town-Panpo Pass---Seven-Colored Waterfall--Gangshika Snow Peak Base Camp (ErTai)--Summit.
Routes1The nearer route covers approximately160kilometers from Xining to Panpo Pass. The2alternative route is comparatively longer, extending about200kilometers to Panpo Pass, but offers extremely beautiful scenery. En route to the mountain, travelers pass through famous scenic areas in Qinghai Province, including Huzhu Tuzu Autonomous County, Beishan Forest Farm, and alpine pastures. From Panpo Pass to the base camp, additional horse rentals are required for transporting gear, which can be arranged with local herders at Panpo Pass.(Pay attention to local ethnic customs), the hiking takes about3 4hours, and loaded hiking requires5hours or so, covering a distance of approximately6.5kilometers to reach the base camp of Gangshika Snow Mountain at an altitude of4070meters.
Climbing Gangshika Snow Mountain mainly involves glacier and snow techniques, with many crevasses along the route. Climbers should travel in groups, prepare and bring proper mountaineering gear, and avoid climbing blindly. In the Gangshika area, generally3days of good weather are needed for route preparation and reaching the summit. Compared to the inland areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at the same altitude, the air here is more humid, and there are usually no significant symptoms of altitude sickness.
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