Encounter Litang: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Land in the Clouds

At an altitude of 4,014 meters in Litang, the "World's Highest City," I finally fulfilled my dream on a chilly morning at minus five degrees. Standing alone in the vast fields, my breath mingled with the morning mist, while the distant snow-capped mountains were tinged with golden light. The moment the first ray of sunlight touched the earth, it felt as if I were in a city in the sky. This Tibetan pearl nestled in the Hengduan Mountains preserves the purest faith and scenery along the ancient Tea Horse Road. 👁️ Eye of Genie On the snowy plateau at 4,800 meters above sea level, this roughly 50-meter-diameter circular lake resembles the "Eye of the Earth," reflecting Mount Genie and the entire sky. Four hundred years ago, the high monk Baima Norbu practiced here and named this place "Mirror Lake of Physiognomy." Believers think the lake’s depth reveals the clarity of people’s hearts. Standing by the lake, watching the clouds roll by, I suddenly understood why Tibetans call it "the eye that can see past and present lives." 🏔️ Mount Genie This sacred mountain in the Tibetan region rises to 6,204 meters and is one of the 24 sacred mountains in Tibetan Buddhism. Legend says Guru Rinpoche subdued evil spirits here, leaving behind meditation caves and footprints. Every year on the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, tens of thousands of devotees walk the "Genie Pilgrimage Trail," where 108 sacred sites tell stories of faith spanning a millennium. I met Ama Zhuoga, a pilgrim, who said, "Circling the mountain once cleanses a lifetime of sins; circling 108 times leads to enlightenment." 🕌 Changqing Kun Temple Built in 1580, this ancient temple is one of the oldest Gelugpa monasteries in the Kang region. The main hall houses millennium-old thangkas that change color with the seasons, and the natural six-syllable mantra stones on the prayer hall floor are treasured as the temple’s heart. At dawn, the chanting of hundreds of monks pierces the morning mist, and golden prayer wheels glisten in the sunlight. The power of faith brings tears to the eyes. Monk Gesang told me, "Look at the weathered murals on the walls; every brushstroke contains butter and devotion." ⛰️ Rabbit Ear Mountain Along National Highway G227, this mountain shaped like rabbit ears was once an important landmark on the Tea Horse Road. Locals say that during the Republic of China era, caravans often encountered blizzards here, and at such times, two glowing "rabbit ears" would appear atop the mountain to guide travelers. At the mountain pass under the wind horse flag, I saw Tibetans scattering longda prayer papers, colorful pieces fluttering against the snowy mountains like a silent poem of blessings. Standing on the land of Litang, I suddenly understood why Tsangyang Gyatso wrote, "Pure white crane, please lend me your wings." Every blade of grass and tree here tells a story: poetry and distant places are nothing more than the most ordinary daily life on this land closest to heaven.