During the Tang Dynasty, the Chinese Emperor sent his daughter Princess Wencheng to make a strategic marriage with the Tibetan king Songsten Gampo. Legend has it that on reaching the mountains near Xining, she took out the Sun-and-Moon Treasure Mirror given to her by her mother and saw within it her homeland. She was overwhelmed, but knew she had a duty to the two nations, and threw the mirror down onto the mountain. The mirror turned into Qinghai Lake and her tears into Daotang River (back flowing river). Its flow westward symbolizes the princess's resolution to never return. The mountain was renamed the Sun-and-Moon Mountain, and on either side of the pass, the Ri (Sun) and Yue (Moon) Pavilions were built to commemorate Princess Wencheng's sacrifice
Whatever the truth of the legend, Riyue Mountain is undoubtedly a wonderful place from which to view the landscape around Xining. Lying 40 kilometers (25 miles) from southwest Xining, the mountain marks a border between the pastoral and agricultural areas of Qinghai Province evident in the views from the peak of the mountain. From June to September Riyue Mountain is particularly beautiful as the grass is lush and wildflowers grow in abundance
The Ri (Sun) and Yue (Moon) Pavilions are key destinations for visitors to the area. Colorful frescos depict Princess Wencheng's journey through China to Tibet, and credit the princess with introducing farming, technology, medicine, and Buddhism to Tibet.
Getting there: there is no public transport to this area: visitors are recommended to hire a car
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