An Exquisite Land Between Two Great Rivers
Mangkang Mountain, known in Tibetan as “smar-khams-sen,” meaning “Mountain of the Exquisite Land,” lies to the north of Mangkang County town in eastern Tibet. The mountain is also known by several other names, including Mangling, Bangla Ridge, and Ningjing Mountain, reflecting its wide geographical and cultural significance.
Stretching from northwest to southeast at elevations between 4,000 and 5,000 meters, Mangkang Mountain forms a vital natural watershed between two of Asia’s great rivers—the Jinsha River and the Lancang River (Mekong River). As it extends southward into Yunnan Province, the range becomes part of the famous Yunling Mountains, linking Tibet’s high plateau with the subtropical lowlands of southwest China.
A Sanctuary of Forests and Wildlife
Mangkang Mountain is renowned for its rich forest resources and well-preserved ecosystems. Vast stretches of woodland cover the slopes, creating an ideal habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.
Animals commonly found in this region include:
- Wild yaks roaming high-altitude grasslands
- Deer and Argali sheep inhabiting forest edges and alpine zones
- Tibetan foxes adapted to the rugged plateau environment
This abundance of flora and fauna makes Mangkang Mountain an important ecological corridor in eastern Tibet, supporting both biodiversity and traditional pastoral life.
Dameyong Snow Mountain: The Sacred Guardian Peak
Rising majestically along the border between Mangkang County and Deqin County in Yunnan, Dameyong Snow Mountain is one of the most revered sacred peaks in eastern Tibet. Often called “Goddess Peak,” Dameyong is deeply woven into local spiritual belief and folklore.
According to legend, Dameyong is the third daughter of the principal mountain among the Eight Sacred Mountains of Tibet. Her story is one of compassion, sacrifice, and protection.
The Legend of Compassion and Healing
Traditional stories tell that Dameyong once set out on a pilgrimage to Lhasa. Along her journey, she passed through the Lancang River valley and was deeply moved by the suffering of the local people, who were plagued by poverty and illness.
Overcome with compassion, her tears fell to the earth and transformed into 108 natural hot springs, instantly curing the sick and easing human suffering. Moved by the people’s plight, Dameyong chose to end her pilgrimage and remain in this land forever, watching over the valley and blessing its inhabitants with peace, health, and prosperity.
Since then, Dameyong Snow Mountain has been regarded as a protective deity by local Tibetan communities.
The Highest Peak of the Kangdazangni Range
With an elevation of 6,334 meters, Dameyong Snow Mountain is the highest peak of the Kangdazangni Mountain Range in eastern Tibet. Its summit remains snow-covered year-round, surrounded by well-developed mountain glaciers that feed the rivers below.
Nestled among these glaciers lies the mysterious Cona Wangmu Lake, a pristine glacial lake that adds to the mountain’s sacred aura and natural beauty.
The Serpent of Cona Wangmu Lake
Local legend speaks of a large black serpent that once lived in Cona Wangmu Lake. In ancient times, the serpent was said to be malevolent and dangerous to humans. A monk from Yamdrok Lake pursued the creature, intending to destroy it.
Moved by compassion, Goddess Dameyong hid the serpent within the depths of the lake, sparing its life. Touched by her mercy, the serpent abandoned its violent nature and has since lived peacefully, never again harming people. The story reflects a core theme of Tibetan belief—compassion transforming even the most dangerous beings.
A Vertical World of Climate and Vegetation
Dameyong Snow Mountain displays one of the most striking examples of vertical ecological zones in eastern Tibet. As elevation decreases, the environment changes dramatically:
- Above 5,000 meters: alpine zone of ice, snow, and bare rock
- 4,000–5,000 meters: cold temperate forests of fir and spruce
- 2,000–4,000 meters: dense broadleaf forests, forming thick canopies that block out the sky
- Below 2,000 meters: subtropical vegetation with warm temperatures and lush growth
This dramatic transition creates the natural phenomenon often described as
“one mountain showing four seasons, and different weather every ten miles.”
The Lancang River Valley: A Living Landscape
Flowing past the base of Dameyong Snow Mountain, the Lancang River winds through deep valleys like a green ribbon. Along its banks sit traditional white Tibetan houses, terraced fields, and quiet villages that blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
The combination of snow peaks, forests, rivers, and human settlement creates one of the most picturesque and spiritually charged environments in eastern Tibet, where nature, belief, and daily life remain closely connected.