Crossing the River to Heaven: The Tongtian River Bridge and Its Mythical Legacy

The First Bridge Over the Long River

Located in the vast highlands of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, the Tongtian River Bridge (Tongtian He Daqiao) stands as a monumental gateway on the roof of the world. It spans the Tongtian River, which is the upper section of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang), formed after the confluence of the Tuotuo River and the Dangqu River,. Historically and geographically significant, this structure is often hailed as the "First Bridge of the Ten Thousand Li Yangtze River" (Wan Li Chang Jiang Di Yi Qiao), marking a vital crossing point on the route into Tibet,. The bridge sits amidst the rugged grandeur of the plateau, flanked by the majestic Kunlun and Tanggula mountain ranges, offering travelers a profound sense of the scale and wild beauty of China's headwaters,.

The River to Heaven

The river flowing beneath the bridge, the Tongtian He, literally translates to "River to Heaven." It winds through broad valleys and deep gorges, carrying the meltwater from the glaciers of Geladandong and other high peaks,. This section of the river is renowned not just for its hydrological importance as the source of China's mother river, but for its spiritual resonance. In the eyes of the locals and travelers alike, the river is a lifeline pulsating through the high-cold ecosystem, a silver ribbon draped over the vast, desolate, yet beautiful earth,.

A Legend from "Journey to the West"

1.The area surrounding the Tongtian River: Bridge is steeped in one of China's most enduring myths. According to the classic novel Journey to the West, this is the very site where the Monk Tang (Tripitaka) and his disciples faced their final tribulation. Legend has it that while crossing the river on the back of an old turtle, they were tipped into the water because the monk forgot to ask a question on the turtle's behalf. Located to the south (or left) of the bridge is a massive, dark rock known as the Scripture Drying Platform (Tang Seng Shai Jing Tai),. It is said that after being dunked in the river, the monk and his disciples spread their wet Buddhist sutras on this rock to dry. Local folklore claims that the characters from the scriptures were imprinted onto the stone and remain faintly visible to this day, leaving a mark of the divine on the landscape,.

Cultural Echoes in Lebagou

Just a short distance from the bridge lies the Lebagou (Leba Valley), a site rich in cultural heritage. Here, visitors can find the Lebagou Rock Paintings, where religious figures and mantras are carved directly into the cliff faces overlooking the river. The valley is filled with Mani stones—stones inscribed with prayers—creating a sacred atmosphere that blends seamlessly with the sound of the rushing water. From the Tang Dynasty rock carvings to the modern prayer flags fluttering in the wind, the area around the Tongtian River Bridge serves as a living museum of Tibetan religious art and history, allowing you to witness the spiritual devotion that has permeated this region for centuries,.