Goddess mountain

Goddess mountain

The goddess mountain, also known as lion mountain, is 3770 meters above sea level and the highest peak around Lugu Lake.

The lion is called "gem" in Mosuo language, and "senggem" in Tibetan language. Seng means lion, and "gem" means white goddess. It is the incarnation of Goddess gem in Mosuo legend.

From the gate of Goddess mountain scenic spot in Nisai village at the foot of the mountain, take the cableway up the mountain to visit the goddess cave.

Mosuo people deify Mt. gem as the embodiment of women. They worship the goddess every year on July 25 of the lunar calendar. As a grand festival, it has a history of more than 1000 years.

geographical environment

The goddess mountain of Gemu, also known as Shizishan, is a Mosuo holy mountain on the edge of Lugu Lake. It is majestic and magnificent. It stands up against the sky. Overlooking the narrow Changfeng Island (Lige Island) stretching into the lake from the northeast, it is like "golden otter fishing" or dragon chasing pearls in the lake.

In addition to the great lake of Plateau Pearl, the tourism of Lugu Lake first focuses on the goddess mountain of Gemu. The tourism route of Lugu Lake of Lijiang Jinsha also includes the tour of Goddess mountain of Gemu. Lugu Lake area is a multi-ethnic area inhabited by Han, Tibetan, Naxi, Mosuo and Yi people.

The mountain is high in the South and low in the north, with bright gray and white hues. However, when it is covered with vegetation, it shows green again. The main peak of the same name is 3754 meters above sea level, about 1000 meters above the lake level, so it is a very high mountain.

Gemu goddess mountain has been worshipped by the local people of Lugu Lake for thousands of years, and only in recent years has it been developed for tourism. Gemu goddess mountain of Lugu Lake has become a highlight of Lugu Lake tourism.

In his book the ancient Naxi kingdom in Southwest China, Joseph Locke, an American scholar, has such a description: "lion mountain is the most remarkable scenery in Yongning scenery. This mountain is really like a sleeping lion, with its head facing the lake. The sloping Hengling is the lion's paw, resting in the green lake.".

Main attractions

Golmud goddess cave is located at the neck of lion mountain, with an altitude of 3450 meters. The entrance of the cave faces Lugu Lake. Standing on the viewing platform at the entrance of the cave, you can frame Lugu Lake with a broad vision from another direction. Enter the cave, in the dark color light, the stalactite appears bizarre. The true face of the goddess grime appeared after climbing several steps. The goddess lived in the hearts of Mosuo people, but also existed in the cave. At this moment, the image of Goddess has been more deeply engraved in the footsteps of every devout person.

There are some mountain people's offerings at the entrance of Goddess cave. You have to pass three passes to get into the cave. The entrance of the cave is made up of very narrow stone crevices, which is only enough for one person to crawl into, as if it is holding the door to prevent unqualified grass people from entering. The cave is so large that it can accommodate at least thousands of people. Several natural "goddesses" sit in peace, and a "goddess" sits on any rock, even a small step.

From the mountain, you can overlook the whole picture of Lugu Lake. You can have a panoramic view of LIGO island and Snake Island with different shapes. Nisai village, xiaoluoshui village and Dazui village are well distributed. In the distance, the mountains are overlapped and the mist is shrouded. It seems that the clouds are used as colorful clothes to show the graceful and moving style. I kept marveling at the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountain. The guide told me that overlooking Lugu Lake on the goddess mountain of Gemu is the best place. The most beautiful scenery is at the entrance of Goddess mountain of Gemu. I still have to climb up. The donkey couldn't get on the last section of the road. The guide tied it to a tree and led me to the final sprint.

festival activities

Chaoshan Festival, also known as Zhuanshan Festival, is a grand festival for Mosuo people in Yongning township of Lijiang to worship the goddess of Golmud. It is held every year on July 25 of the lunar calendar on the Bank of Lugu Lake. It has a strong color of primitive religion.

Chaoshan festival began when the ancestor of Mosuo, niyuewu, lived in Yongning. Every year on July 25 of the lunar calendar, Mosuo people around Lugu Lake in Yongning are interested in paying homage to mount Gemu, which is called "Gemu" in Mosuo language, meaning "Zhuan goddess mountain".

On the day of Chaoshan Festival, people wear festive costumes and bring abundant delicacies. Some people ride horses to the foot of Mount Gemu to light cigarettes. Lamas read Chaoshan scriptures and pray for the goddess to protect the Mosuo people for good weather, good luck and happiness. People offer wine and meat, cakes, fruits and kowtow to the goddess one after another. Old people also burn branches in caves and use fireworks to drive away evil spirits. We also have to go to the waterfall to take a bath for the sake of peace and good luck. Then we have a group picnic on the spot and hold activities such as singing, lion dance, swing, archery and horse racing. At the foot of Golmud mountain, people are immersed in a sea of joy. Many people also take this opportunity to find the right person.

Myths and legends

There is a moving myth about the origin of Mt. mu. It is said that there was no mountain in Lugu Lake area, but the female fairy of Gemu often flew to the lake with the male mountain gods at night from the north to take a bath and make love with each other, and the cock flew back to the north at dawn. One night, the male mountain gods waited for a long time, and the female gems were late. They were about to play, but the cock crowed and the East turned white, so they couldn't fly back. Therefore, gems were exiled by Lugu Lake and became the goddess mountain of gems. The male immortals gathered around her and became the sacred mountain of Hawa, zezhinan and ashanan, respectively. It is also said that the goddess of Golmud is a very kind God. She often rides a white horse (say riding a deer) to go out on tours. She not only protects the people and animals in this area from prosperity, good weather and good harvest, but also gives women strong and beautiful body, happy marriage and offspring. She made friends with the male mountain gods around her and lived a free life. Every year, July 25 of the lunar calendar is the festival of the goddess of Golmud, and mountain gods from all over the country come to gather for entertainment.

This series of legends make Shizishan a goddess mountain worshipped by local Mosuo people. In the pine forest at the southern foot of the mountain, there is also a temple. On the walls of the temple, there is a picture of the goddess Golmud with hair and bare feet and riding a deer. In addition, there is also a shrine on Lige island in Lugu Lake, in which there is a clay statue of the goddess of Golmud riding and bowing. Every year on the 25th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, there is a grand activity to face the mountains. It is called "Gemu" in Mosuo language, which means "zhuannu mountain". From the activities of offering sacrifices to Goddess and their myths and legends, we can see the important position of women in the social life of Mosuo people and the marriage form of Asha's walking marriage.

Tourism information

You need to take a cableway in Nisai village to go up the mountain on foot or by charter.

Address: xiaoluoshui village, Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang City

Longitude: 100.76437

Latitude: 27.74112

Tel: 4000998998

Ticket information: no ticket required. The ticket has been included in the ticket of Lugu Lake scenic spot, but you must take the cableway to climb the mountain

Chinese PinYin : Ge Mu Nv Shen Shan