1. Siguniang Mountain
Siguniang Mountain is situated on the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and features the “Three Valleys and Four Peaks,” including Shuangqiao Valley, Changping Valley, Haizigou, Yaomei Peak, Sanguniang Mountain, Erguniang Mountain, and Dagangang Mountain.
During our visit, we explored Changping Valley and were fortunate enough to have the misty veil reveal the distant beauty of Yaomei Peak. The hike along a wooden mule path from the entrance to the end covers approximately 12 kilometres, reaching an altitude of 3,760 meters. After traversing the mountain road, you’ll find Muluuzi, a vast meadow with spectacular views. The closest to the sky, Yaomei Peak boasts a clear and awe-inspiring silhouette.
2. Moshi Park
Moshi Park, formerly known as Bamei Stone Forest Scenic Area, is located near Bamei Town. Over time, the rocks in the area have taken on various styles due to erosion and the presence of calcium salts that can change colour with shifts in air humidity.
The park features rugged rocks, and during our exploration, my fellow adventurers and I stumbled upon a peculiar rock formation resembling a cat from a distance, which we’ve documented here.
3. Serda Wuming Buddhist College
Serda Wuming Buddhist College is nestled in a valley about 20 kilometres southeast of Seda County. This Tibetan Buddhist college is renowned worldwide. Notable is the crimson monastery constructed by monks across the mountains. With changing seasons, both sunrise and sunset offer entirely different scenic vistas. Although we arrived in the afternoon, time constraints prevented us from witnessing the dusk scenery.
Walking among the monks’ residences, you’ll encounter many monks in robes going about their daily routines. Devotees can also be seen circumambulating the mandala to seek blessings. During this part of our journey, we witnessed the profound motivation of those driven by faith.
4. Lotus Leaf (Lianbaoye)
Lianbaoye was the only cloudy segment of our trip, with heavy snowfall at the mountain’s peak. Consequently, we missed the legendary water, lakes, peaks, and rocks. Nevertheless, we experienced rare mountain wind, snow, and fog and savored a Peanut Americano at a mountaintop cafe.
Despite the snowfall, we disembarked from our vehicle and walked the final section of the mountain road. As we descended, the snow gradually ceased. While reminiscing about the snow on the roadside, we discovered a whimsical object left among the stone peaks, which not only one tourist had quietly placed but also brought a smile to our faces.
5. Gemo Temple
Gemo Temple serves as the last stop on our journey. Although we hadn’t initially planned to visit, local recommendations led us to adjust our schedule, resulting in a rewarding experience.
Gemo Temple is one of the three major Gelug Sect Tibetan Buddhist temples in Aba Prefecture. In addition to a massive 37-meter-tall golden Buddha statue, the temple houses numerous Buddhist scriptures and cultural relics. Regrettably, photography is prohibited throughout the site, and I couldn’t capture any images. While at the Buddhist temple, we inadvertently stumbled upon a Bible reading session in a local village. The sight of nearly 300 Tibetans and countless handheld prayer wheels left us awestruck. Locals explained that such events are commonplace, and we couldn’t help but feel deep respect.
