Sun and Moon Mountain

日月山

A sacred mountain pass between Xining and Qinghai Lake with historical significance as the ancient boundary between Han and Tibetan territories. The mountain offers panoramic views of both Qinghai Lake and the surrounding high-altitude plateau landscape.

Things to do

• Climb to the Summit Observatory — Ascend the stone pathway to the mountaintop pavilion for 360-degree views of Qinghai Lake to the north and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the south.
• Visit the Sun Moon Stone Monument — Photograph the iconic marker stone at the pass's highest point that commemorates the historical boundary between Han and Tibetan territories.
• Explore the Ancient Pass Road — Walk the preserved stone-paved sections of the historic Silk Road caravan route that connected Xining to Qinghai Lake and beyond.
• Photograph Qinghai Lake from the Pass — Capture sweeping landscape photographs of China's largest saltwater lake set against the high-altitude plateau plateau during sunrise or sunset.
• Visit the Princess Wencheng Temple — Pay respects at the small temple dedicated to the Tang Dynasty princess who traveled this route as part of a political marriage alliance between Han and Tibetan kingdoms.
• Walk the Mountain Prayer Flag Groves — Stroll through areas decorated with colorful Tibetan prayer flags left by pilgrims, experiencing the spiritual significance of the pass to local communities.

Food to try

• Yak Butter Tea — Warm yourself with this traditional high-altitude beverage of black tea mixed with yak butter and salt, essential for visitors adjusting to the 3,520-meter elevation.
• Qinghai Lake Fish (湟鱼) — Try the locally-caught endemic landlocked fish from Qinghai Lake, typically prepared steamed or braised at nearby roadside restaurants along the pass.
• Tsampa (青稞粉) — Taste this roasted barley flour staple of the Tibetan plateau, mixed with butter tea or eaten as a simple porridge with local honey.
• Momos (馄饨) — Sample Tibetan dumplings filled with yak meat or vegetables, sold at small shops near the mountain entrance and warming for high-altitude travelers.
• Highland Barley Noodles — Enjoy noodles made from local qingke barley, often served in hot broth with vegetables and dried meat at pass-side eateries.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect Prayer Flags and Religious Sites — Never touch or remove prayer flags and maintain quiet respect when visiting the Princess Wencheng Temple, as these remain sacred to Tibetan pilgrims.
• Allow Extra Time for Altitude Adjustment — The pass sits at 3,520 meters; arrive early to spend time acclimatizing and drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness symptoms.
• Dress in Layers for Rapid Weather Changes — Mountain weather shifts quickly even in summer; bring a windbreaker and warm layers as temperatures can drop 15°C between the base and summit within hours.
• Greet with Local Courtesy Phrases — Learn basic Tibetan greetings like 'Tashi Delek' to show respect to local vendors and guides who work at this culturally significant pass.