Erlang Cave in Delingha City, Haixi

Erlang Cave, also known as the West Queen Mother Stone Chamber (西王母石室), is locally called Guanjiao Zhihé Kong in Tibetan. It is located about 23–26 kilometers southwest of Tianjun County Town, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, on Guanjiao Mountain (Guanjiao Riji Mountain) (关角山/关角日吉山). The site is a distinctive cone-shaped limestone solitary mountain and a provincial-level cultural heritage protection site, with an elevation of 3,580 meters.

According to the Book of Han – Treatise on Geography (汉书·地理志), this area is associated with the legendary West Queen Mother Stone Chamber, an important relic connected with Kunlun mythology. Local legends also link the site with King Gesar and Erlang Shen, creating a unique blend of natural landscape, Tibetan folk beliefs, and ancient myths. The natural cave, simple later temple structures, grassland setting, isolated stone mountain, and colorful prayer flags together create an atmosphere where mythology and local culture merge.

Erlang Cave remains an original outdoor historical site with no large commercial facilities. Visitors can experience the quiet atmosphere of a remote Qinghai grassland landscape and explore a place where geology, legends, and traditional beliefs meet.

The cave entrance faces west. The main cave is about 12 meters long, 6 meters wide, and up to 18 meters high, with three additional side chambers. Clear spring water continuously seeps from inside the cave and remains year-round.

Best Time to Visit

Seasonal Recommendations

June to September: This is the best travel period. The grasslands and alpine meadows become lush green, and the weather is relatively mild, making it ideal for sightseeing and photography.

October: The grass turns golden in autumn, creating beautiful scenery with fewer visitors and a more peaceful atmosphere.

November to May: The region experiences severe cold, strong winds, and harsh weather conditions. Travel during this period is not recommended.

Daily Visiting Time

The site is open outdoors throughout the day. The recommended visiting time is 09:00–17:00. The solitary mountain creates especially beautiful light and shadow effects around sunset. Staying at night is not recommended due to the remote environment and limited facilities.

Transportation Guide

By Self-Driving

Navigate to “West Queen Mother Stone Chamber (Erlang Cave) (西王母石室（二郎洞）)”. From Tianjun County Town, the drive takes about 30 minutes. The route mainly follows paved roads, and ordinary cars can reach the site. It is located near National Highway G315, with a simple free parking area available nearby.

By Public Transportation

There is no direct public bus service to Erlang Cave. Visitors can hire a private vehicle or taxi from Tianjun County Town for a round trip. The site can also be combined with Rumang Valley Rock Paintings (鲁芒沟岩画) and Tianjun Shijing Temple (天峻石经寺) to create a one-day cultural exploration route.

Local Access

Visitors need to walk a short uphill section to reach the cave entrance. There are no sightseeing vehicles inside the site area.

🌟 Core Attractions

🌄 Natural Limestone Cave

The main cave is a naturally formed limestone cavern. Inside the cave are religious statues, spring water flowing from the rock walls, and a spacious interior area. It is the central location connected with the legends of the West Queen Mother and other local myths.

🏔️ The Isolated Mountain Landscape

The cave is located on a unique cone-shaped solitary mountain rising directly from the grassland. Surrounded by the vast Qilian Mountain grasslands, the area offers open views of distant mountains and is an excellent location for landscape photography.

🎐 Prayer Flags and Cultural Relics

Near the cave entrance stands a cultural heritage protection monument surrounded by colorful prayer flags. The remaining simple temple structures preserve the later religious and cultural atmosphere of the site.

🌿 Guanjiao Valley Grassland and River Landscape

Behind the cave, a small river winds through the valley, creating a landscape combining grassland, rocky terrain, and the scenery of the Qinghai Plateau.

Recommended visiting time: 0.5–1 hour.

Accommodation and Local Food

Accommodation

There are no accommodation facilities at Erlang Cave. Visitors should return to Tianjun County Town (天峻县城) for overnight stays.

Food and Supplies

Visitors can enjoy Tibetan cuisine and northwestern Chinese noodles in Tianjun County Town. There are no shops at the site, so travelers should bring enough drinking water and personal supplies in advance.

Travel Tips and Safety Notes

1. Free admission: Erlang Cave is an outdoor cultural heritage site without an entrance fee.
2. High-altitude conditions: The site is located at an altitude of 3,580 meters. Visitors should be aware of possible altitude sickness and avoid strenuous activity. Temperature differences between day and night are significant. Even in summer, bring a windproof jacket. Strong ultraviolet radiation requires proper sun protection.
3. Respect local customs: Visitors should follow local traditions and walk around the mountain in a clockwise direction. Do not carve on cave walls or damage any historical remains.
4. Cave safety: The interior of the cave is dark. Bringing a flashlight is recommended. The ground may be wet and slippery, so walk carefully.
5. Prepare for remote conditions: The grassland area can be very windy, and mobile phone signals may be unavailable in some periods. Download offline maps before departure.
6. Protect cultural heritage: Do not pick up stones, pottery fragments, or other objects found around the site. Help preserve the archaeological and cultural remains for future generations.