The Best Balcony of the Queen of Shu Mountains: Maobiliang Viewing Platform and the Golden Panorama

The "Family Portrait" of the Four Girls

1.Located in Siguniangshan: Town (formerly Rilong), Xiaojin County, within the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, the Maobiliang Viewing Platform is widely regarded as the premier spot to capture the full grandeur of Mount Siguniang (Four Girls Mountain). Situated at an altitude of approximately 3,600 meters, about 2 kilometers outside the entrance to the Shuangqiao Valley, this roadside platform offers an unobstructed, panoramic view of the entire mountain range. Unlike the perspectives from within the valleys where the peaks might be obscured by ridges or forests, Maobiliang allows visitors to see all four sisters aligned in a row: the rugged Daguniang (Big Sister), the valiant Erguniang (Second Sister), the graceful Sanguniang (Third Sister), and the majestic Yaomei Feng (Youngest Sister), the "Queen of Shu Mountains" standing at 6,250 meters. The platform gets its name, "Cat's Nose Ridge," from the shape of the terrain which protrudes like a cat's nose, offering a distinct vantage point that feels like a natural balcony suspended in the highlands,.

A Symphony of Light and Shadow

Maobiliang is a photographer's paradise, famous for its dramatic lighting conditions. It is the ideal location to witness the breathtaking phenomenon of "Ri Zhao Jin Shan" (Golden Mountain in the Sunshine). At sunrise, the first rays of light hit the snowy summits, turning the cold white peaks into blazing torches of gold, a scene of immense sanctity and beauty. Conversely, at sunset, the fading light casts a warm, rosy glow over the mountains, often accompanied by a rolling sea of clouds in the valley below. The visual impact of the four towering peaks set against a backdrop of blue sky and changing clouds creates a three-dimensional landscape painting that captures the soul of the Eastern Alps. Whether it is the emerald green of summer meadows or the fiery red and gold of autumn forests framing the snowy peaks, Maobiliang offers a "Golden Viewing Point" that requires no strenuous hiking to access,,.

A Sacred Threshold of Jiarong Culture

Culturally, the view from Maobiliang is steeped in Jiarong Tibetan spirituality. The four peaks are revered as local mountain deities, protecting the villages and valleys. At the viewing platform, visitors will find piles of Mani stones carved with mantras and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind. For the local Tibetans, every flutter of the flag sends a prayer to the heavens. The platform serves as a spiritual threshold where travelers can make vows facing the sacred Yaomei Peak, which symbolizes purity and beauty. Historically, this area also bears witness to the Red Army's Long March. In 1935, the Red Army passed through the region, crossing the nearby snowy mountains. Monuments and storyboards near the scenic area recount these tales of resilience and the unity between the army and the local people, adding a layer of historical depth to the natural splendor,.

A Window to Four Seasons

2.The beauty of: Maobiliang changes distinctly with the seasons, offering a different "face" of the Four Girls throughout the year. In spring and summer, the lower slopes and valleys visible from the platform are lush with greenery and dotted with wildflowers like azaleas. Autumn brings a riot of color as the forests turn into a palette of red, yellow, and orange, contrasting sharply with the eternal white of the glaciers and snow peaks. In winter, the entire landscape is wrapped in silver, with the sharp, angular peaks piercing through the clear, crisp air. Because it is located on the main road (S303) and requires no entry fee, it is an essential stop for anyone driving the Western Sichuan Loop, allowing travelers to capture the essence of the highland aesthetics effortlessly before delving deeper into the valleys,.