Kunlun Mountain lies in Qinghai Province. It is 1,200 kilometers long, 60 to120 kilometers wide and average 5,500 meters above see level. The altitude of the highest peak reaches 6,860 meters. All the mountains in Qinghai belong to the Kunlun Mountain Range, which used to be reputed as the origin of all mountains or the mountain of dragon in ancient times. Many legends are associated with Kunlun Mountain, such as Chang'e (the goddess of the moon), Xi You Ji (Pilgrim to the West), and Bai She Zhuan (Legend of the White Snake).

The Kunlun mountain pass is 160 kilometers to the south of Golmud. The altitude rises from 2,800 meters to 4,700 meters abruptly and the temperature and air pressure drop accordingly. You will suddenly feel as though being transferred from a hot summer to a cold winter with the magnificent snow-white Kunlun Mountain surrounding you. Kunlun is not only famous for its grandeur but also the color jade it produces, and the jade is called the Kunlun Jade. Amidst the snow and the grassland are rare animals leaping and skipping, presenting a beautiful picture of nature.

The Kunlun Mountains are well known in Chinese mythology and are believed to be Taoist paradise. The first to visit this paradise was, according to the legends, King Mu (1001-947 BCE) of the Zhou Dynasty. He supposedly discovered the Jade Palace of Huang-Di, the mythical Yellow Emperor, and met Hsi Wang Mu, the Royal Mother of the West, who had her mythical abode in these mountains.

Name:Xining Kunlun Mountain (Kunlun Shan)
City:Xining
Address:
Admission:Free

This article was posted on 2007-08-22
This article has been viewed times.