The Golden Eye of Tagong: Muya Golden Pagoda Viewing Platform and the Sacred Yala Snow Peak

1.The Golden: Landmark on the Bodhisattva's Land

2.Located in the heart of the Tagong: Grassland in Kangding City, Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, the Muya Golden Pagoda Viewing Platform offers one of the most spiritually charged and visually stunning panoramas in the Kham region. "Tagong" in Tibetan means "The Place Bodhisattva Likes," a name derived from a legend involving Princess Wencheng. Standing at an altitude of approximately 3,700 to 3,900 meters, this viewing platform is centered around the magnificent Muya Golden Pagoda (Muya Jinta). Unlike the ancient Tagong Monastery nearby, this pagoda is a modern masterpiece built between 2003 and 2006 by the renowned Living Buddha Gongga. With its golden roof shining brilliantly against the deep blue plateau sky and the emerald or golden waves of the grassland, it serves as a beacon of faith and a perfect window for travelers to witness the harmony of nature and religion,,,.

A Masterpiece of Muya Architecture

3.The Muya Golden: Pagoda is a striking example of Tibetan Buddhist architecture, specifically imitating the style of the famous Ramoche Temple in Lhasa. The structure stands about 37 meters high (including the base) and features an eight-cornered design, symbolizing the Eightfold Path, with thirteen levels representing the thirteen stages of the path to enlightenment. The exterior is adorned with copper tiles plated in gold, which glisten with a divine light under the highland sun. The tower's base is wrapped in red walls and surrounded by prayer wheels, where devout pilgrims can be seen performing the "Kora" (circumambulation) daily. Inside, the pagoda houses a colossal gilded copper statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, along with precious Thangkas, scriptures, and the "Five kinds of relics," making it a treasure trove of spiritual art and devotion,,.

4.The Best: Seat for the "King of Mountains"

5.The viewing platform at the foot of the: Golden Pagoda is widely considered the premier spot to photograph the sacred Yala Snow Mountain (Zhara Lhatse). Known as the "Eastern White Yak" or the "Eastern Guardian God," Yala's sharp, pyramid-like peak (5,820 meters) creates a dramatic backdrop to the golden spire of the pagoda. On clear days, especially during sunrise or sunset, the phenomenon of "Golden Sunshine on the Mountain" (Rizhao Jinshan) bathes the silver snow peak in a warm glow, creating a perfect composition of "Gold on Gold"—the golden pagoda in the foreground and the golden snow peak in the distance. This visual dialogue between the man-made holy tower and the natural holy mountain is the definitive image of Tagong's "Highland Aesthetics",,,.

A Cultural and Natural Symphony

Beyond the architecture and the peaks, the viewing platform offers a 360-degree immersion into the Muya Tibetan culture. The surrounding Tagong Grassland is the core settlement of the Muya people, who are known for their bravery and distinct customs. In summer (June to August), the grassland transforms into a sea of wildflowers, creating a vibrant carpet beneath the pagoda. In autumn, the grass turns a rich golden yellow, echoing the color of the temple roofs. Visitors can hear the wind rustling through the colorful prayer flags (Lungta) that radiate from the pagoda like flower petals, and perhaps catch the sound of the "Duotizhuo" (a traditional circle dance) or the galloping hooves from a nearby horse race, experiencing the authentic pulse of life on the plateau,,,.