Brief information on Sun and Moon Mountain & Daotang River  

Located in Huangyuan Prefecture in the east of Qinghai Province to the northeast of Qinghai Lake, Sun and Moon Mountain lies on the boundary of the central agricultural area of Qinghai and the Qinghai-Tibet pastoral area.

Also called Chi Ling in the past, Sun and Moon Mountain has a vast grassland at its base. The mountain itself is covered in green trees with clouds and mist enshrouding its top. The beautiful Daotang River also springs from the west of Sun and Moon Mountain and flows west to Qinghai Lake, the largest inland salt lake in China.

Since ancient times many myths have been spread by people about the mountain. Most of these were concerned with Princess Wencheng who married the Tibetan king in the Tang Dynasty. It is said that, in order to consolidate the adjacent countries and stabilize the territory, in 641 the emperor Li Shimin gave his daughter, Princess Wencheng, in marriage to the leader of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo.

When Princess Wencheng left Chang’an Town, her father bestowed the Sun and Moon Mirror to her. Missing her family and country and worried about her future, she began to weep. When the horses of Princess Wencheng arrived at their destination, her tears suddenly surged forth. As they fell to the ground, they became a river immediately. The princess was afraid that the river would flow to the east and worry her family. Therefore, in order to stop them from worrying, Princess Wencheng prayed to Heaven that the river would change direction and flow to the west. Moved by her appeal, the Emperor of Heaven informed the river God to change the river’s direction, and it began to flow to the west. This river is now called Daotang River. In return, Princess Wencheng swore to Heaven that she would take it upon herself to promote cultural exchanges between Tibetans and the Han. She also swore that she would regard building up Tibet as her most important goal. She then broke the Sun and Moon Mirror resolutely on Chi Ling Mountain to show her decision.

The Sun Pavilion and the Moon Pavilion were built on each side of the mountain pass to remember Princess Wencheng. Of the twin pavilions, the Moon Pavilion in particular depicts the great cultural communication Princess Wencheng brought to Tibet, including crop seeds, technology, medicine and Buddhism. It is said that she helped bring civilization to Tibet.

*You can download the bilingual note to show it to a taxi driver or someone else to find your way to Sun and Moon Mountain & Daotang River if you plan to visit Sun and Moon Mountain & Daotang River and have language problems.