Tongtian River is the main stream section of the source of the Yangtze River. Located in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, it starts from Nangji Bayong in the west of Zhiduo County at the confluence of the Yangtze River Yuandangqu and Tuotuo Rivers, and flows through Zhiduo County, Qumalai County, Chengduo County, and Yushu City in Qinghai Province 4 counties and cities, ending at the mouth of the Xibatang River in Jiegu Town, Yushu City, Yushu Prefecture, Qinghai Province, hereafter referred to as the Jinsha River.
The Tongtian River is 828 kilometers long starting from Nangji Bayong; counting from the source, the main stream is 1,174 kilometers long, with a total drainage area of ??about 140,000 square kilometers. The natural drop is 940 meters, the average flow is 400 cubic meters per second, the total annual runoff is about 13 billion cubic meters, the sand content is 0.74 grams per cubic meter, the river water is clear, the water quality is excellent, and the theoretical hydraulic reserve of the main stream is nearly 3 million kilowatts.
Legend has it that the famous transitional chapter in "Journey to the West" took place here. ?
Extended information:
The Tongtian River is a large river that Tang Monk and his disciples passed through to obtain scriptures in "Journey to the West". This is one of the eighty-one difficulties for Tang Monk and his disciples. See Chapters 47 and 48 of Journey to the West. Tang Monk encountered obstacles in crossing the Tianhe River and stayed overnight in Chenjia Village. He happened to meet the King of Inspiration to offer sacrifices. Sun Wukong fought with him to reach the Tianhe River and saved the boy and girl. Later, he got the help of the old turtle to cross the Tongtian River.
In Tianshui folklore, Tongtian River is at the confluence of the Weihe River, Niutou River and Qinhe River near Tianshui. It is said that the water in that area is turbulent and the waves are surging. After Tang Seng and his disciples arrived here, they were helpless in the face of the endless river. In desperation, Tang Monk could only chant sutras and pray. Who knows, this will alarm the monster. As a result, monsters from various mountains and caves came out one after another.
He went straight to Tang Monk and his disciples by the Tongtian River. At this time, Tang Seng and his disciples had a big river in front of them and pursuers behind them, so they could only fight with their backs against the water. Wukong took out his golden cudgel, waved it in the wind, held it horizontally in his hand, and swiped the cudgel, causing a large number of monsters to fall down. Helpless, there are too many monsters, and Wukong is in a hurry, focusing on one thing and not the other. At this moment, there was a sound of water on the Tongtian River, and a huge turtle emerged from the water.
Tang Monk and his disciples were amazed. At this moment, the turtle spoke. Master Xuanzang got on my back, and I will carry you across the river. Wukong saw how much aura this big turtle had, so he raised his golden cudgel, drove away the goblin, and escorted Tang Monk and others to the turtle. The four old turtles paddled and floated on the river easily. Although the Tongtian River is eight hundred miles wide, it can't stop the old turtle.
In less than half a day, he sent Tang Seng and his disciples to the other side of the Tongtian River. Just as he was about to reach the shore, the old turtle said that when Tang Monk met the Buddha in the west, he would ask when his practice period was up. Unexpectedly, a few years later, Tang Monk arrived in the West and saw the Buddha, but he forgot the old turtle's instructions. When he returned to the Tongtian River, the old turtle carried them across the river.
When asked about checking the practice period, Tang Seng was speechless. The old turtle sank to the bottom of the water, Tang Monk and his disciples fell into the water, and the scriptures were also wet with water. Praying prayers not far from the river bank. It is said that the place where Sutras are shared is the Zaojin Temple in Mazhiquan. It used to be called Sutra-Shading Temple.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Tongtian River