Riyue Mountain (Sun and Moon Mountain, 日月山), part of the Qilian Mountain range, stretches for 90 kilometers and serves as a natural barrier to the east of Qinghai Lake. Its red-hued slopes earned it the ancient name “Chiling” (Red Ridge). According to legend, Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty threw a magic mirror onto two small hills here. The eastern hill reflected the setting sun, while the western hill mirrored the rising moon, giving the mountain its current name, “Sun and Moon Mountain.”
With an average elevation of around 4,000 meters, Riyue Mountain forms the natural boundary between Qinghai’s inland and outflow river basins. The eastern side is a fertile agricultural region, with fields and landscapes reminiscent of an oasis, while the western side opens up into vast grasslands, rich with herds of cattle and sheep, offering a classic pastoral scene.
Historically, Riyue Mountain has been an important passage along ancient trade routes such as the “Qiang Middle Road,” the “Southern Silk Road,” and the “Tang-Tibet Ancient Road.” During the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the Southern Silk Road, created due to the blockage of the Silk Road’s Hexi Corridor, passed through Riyue Mountain, Qinghai Lake, and the Qaidam Basin en route to the Western Regions. In the Tang Dynasty, the Tang-Tibet Ancient Road connected northeastern and southwestern China, traversing the heart of Hainan Prefecture and linking to Lhasa. Riyue Mountain has witnessed key historical events, including alliances, marriages, wars, and the “Tea and Salt” and “Tea and Horse” trade markets.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Riyue Mountain
- Other Attractions on Qinghai Lake Loop Tour
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 50 RMB (15th April – 15th October) 30 RMB (16th October – 14th April) |
| Opening Hours | 7.00 – 19.30 (15th April – 15th October) 8.30 – 18.30 (16th October – 14th April) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0971-4040188 |
Location and Transportation
Riyue Mountain, part of the Qilian Mountain range, is located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Huangyuan County in Xining, Qinghai Province. The mountain’s highest peak reaches an elevation of 4,877 meters, while the Riyue Mountain Pass, accessible via the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, sits at an elevation of 3,520 meters.
To reach Riyue Mountain from Xining, you can take a bus from the Xining Xinning Road Bus Station to Huangyuan County. From Huangyuan County, take bus number 708 to the Riyue Township Government Station. After arriving in Riyue Township, you can use local transportation to reach the mountain. However, Many visitors opt for a rental car or taxi, which allows for a more direct and convenient journey, taking about two hours from Xining.
Highlights of Riyue Mountain
Princess Spring
Upon entering the scenic area, visitors are greeted by Princess Spring, adorned with colorful prayer flags. According to legend, when Princess Wencheng gazed eastward from Riyue Mountain towards her distant homeland, her view was blocked by the mountains, and she wept sorrowfully. Her tears transformed into a small spring, now known as Princess Spring.
The Farewell Stone
At the mountain’s summit plaza stands the “Riyue Mountain” stone tablet and the Farewell Stone, where Princess Wencheng is said to have shed her last tears as she gazed back towards her homeland. As a young and delicate woman, Princess Wencheng bore the heavy burden of fostering unity between the Tang Dynasty and the Tibetan Empire through her marriage to Songtsen Gampo. This union was vital for maintaining peace and stability. Standing here, one can imagine the sorrowful departure of the princess, evoking a deep sense of respect. However, it is said that Princess Wencheng and the Tibetan King fell in love at first sight, and Songtsen Gampo, overjoyed to marry a Tang princess, remarked, “None of my ancestors could marry into the Central Kingdom. I am honored to marry a Tang princess and will build a city to commemorate this union.”
Sculpture and Relief
Climbing further along the ancient road leads to a platform where a 9-meter-tall statue of Princess Wencheng stands, dressed in noble attire, holding a precious mirror, and looking resolutely forward. Behind her is a 20-meter-long and 6-meter-wide bronze relief, depicting scenes from her journey to Tibet. The first section, Farewell at the Ancient Capital, shows the princess kneeling before Emperor Taizong as he, along with courtiers and nobles, bids her farewell amid the elegant music of the “Reversed Pipa Dance.” The second section, Mirror Breaking at Chiling, portrays her emotional journey. The third part, Welcoming the Bride, illustrates Songtsen Gampo, accompanied by his ministers, monks, and tribal leaders, holding a grand ceremony at Baining Lake (today’s Oring Lake and Zhaling Lake in Qinghai’s Mado County) to welcome the princess. Songtsen Gampo honored his new father-in-law, Li Daozong, before escorting Princess Wencheng to Tibet.
Sun Pavilion Mural
The mural in the Sun Pavilion tells the story of Gar Tongtsen’s journey to the Tang capital, Chang’an, and the challenges he cleverly overcame while seeking Princess Wencheng’s hand in marriage. One notable challenge involved identifying the mother and offspring pairs among a herd of mares and foals. Gar Tongtsen, being familiar with the horses of the Tibetan plateau, easily solved the puzzle by separating the mares and foals for a night, then releasing the foals, who instinctively ran to their mothers.
Another challenge involved identifying Princess Wencheng from a group of 300 identically dressed women. Gar Tongtsen had anticipated this test and discovered that the princess used a fragrant skin ointment called “Wanli Piaoxiang,” which attracted butterflies and bees. On the appointed day, he spotted two bees circling over one woman’s head, revealing the princess’s identity.
Moon Pavilion Mural
The mural in the Moon Pavilion focuses on Princess Wencheng’s contributions to Tibet after her arrival. She brought advanced cultural, spiritual, and material knowledge from the Tang Dynasty, which had already entered a feudal society, while Tibet was still in a slave-based system. The mural illustrates the introduction of weaving, brewing, music, dance, astronomy, geography, and Buddhism to Tibet, all of which significantly advanced Tibetan society. This cultural exchange also led to the creation of the Tibetan script, marking Tibet’s entry into the civilized world. As a result, Princess Wencheng is revered as a key figure in Tibet’s history, laying the foundation for its cultural and societal development.
Princess Wencheng Temple
The Princess Wencheng Temple features a symmetrical architectural layout with two courtyards. The structure comprises a main gate, a central hall, a rear hall, and side corridors, all topped with yellow glazed tiles. The main gate showcases a double-eaved hip roof design and houses statues of the Four Heavenly Kings. In the front courtyard, there is a tomb for the princess’s clothing and adornments. The central hall enshrines a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, while the rear hall honors statues of Princess Wencheng and Songtsen Gampo. The side corridors serve as the Hall of Arhats. A grand consecration ceremony was held on July 31, 2016, presided over by a living Buddha from Ta’er Temple, following traditional rituals.
Ancient Road Museum
The Ancient Road Museum features two main exhibitions. The first hall focuses on the “Qinghai Ancient Road Relics Exhibition,” displaying over 400 precious artifacts dating from prehistoric times to the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties. This exhibition highlights the craftsmanship and technology of early human societies in creating and utilizing tools and daily living implements.
The second section, titled “Cultural Exchanges: Connecting East and West,” reflects the historical context of the Qinghai region from the Pre-Qin period to the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties. During the Pre-Qin period, the ancient ethnic groups in Qinghai included the Di, Rong, and Western Qiang tribes, who developed the Kayo and Niumuhong cultures during the Bronze Age. The exhibited artifacts, such as colored pottery and bronze items (including bronze daggers, axes, and bells) from the Kayo and Xindian cultures, illustrate the social and productive development of the ancient Qiang people.
