The Sacred Pyramid Family: San'ao Snow Mountain Viewing Point and the Da'ershen Platform

The "Sacred Family" of the East

1.Located in Heishui: County, within the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province, the San'ao Snow Mountain Viewing Point (also known as the Da'ershen Viewing Platform) offers one of the most spiritually and visually arresting panoramas in Western Sichuan. Situated near Deshiwo Village in Luhua Town, about 16 kilometers from the county seat, this platform sits at an altitude between 3,100 and 3,500 meters. It serves as the premier vantage point for the San'ao Snow Mountains, a cluster of peaks renowned in the Jiarong Tibetan region as the "Sacred Mountain Family." Unlike other solitary peaks, San'ao presents a unique formation of three pyramid-shaped mountains standing shoulder to shoulder in a "品" (pin) shape. The main peak, Otai Base (5,286m), is revered as the "Father of Mountains"; to its left stands Otai Mei (5,257m), the "Mother of Mountains"; and to the right is Otai Na (5,210m), the "Son of Mountains". When the morning sun hits these snow-capped summits, they shine with a golden brilliance, creating a majestic scene often described as the "Gateway to the Eastern Swiss Sacred Mountains",.

A Legend of Guardianship

The cultural significance of this site runs deep in Jiarong Tibetan folklore. The name "Da'ershen" (达尔神) for the viewing platform translates to "a place to pray to the gods." According to legend, in ancient times, the region was threatened by demons and foreign invaders. A brave hero named Otai Base, along with his wife and son, fought to protect their homeland. They eventually transformed into the three snow peaks to eternally guard the villages and the Heishui river valley, ensuring peace and favorable weather for the land. Because of this, the mountains are not just geological features but personified deities representing fatherly dignity, motherly grace, and filial strength. Local Tibetans revere them as the "Head of Sacred Mountains" in the eastern Jiarong region. During major festivals or harvest times, locals gather at this platform to burn juniper branches (Wei Sang), hang prayer flags, and dance the Guozhuang to pray for auspiciousness,.

A Canvas of Seasonal Colors

Visually, the San'ao Snow Mountain Viewing Point offers a stunning multi-layered landscape that changes dramatically with the seasons. The platform itself sits amidst a vast alpine meadow known as Da'ershen Meadow, which transforms into a carpet of wildflowers in summer (June-August). However, the area is perhaps most famous for its autumn scenery (September-October). As part of the Heishui Colorful Forest region, the slopes surrounding the viewing point explode into a riot of colors—fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep greens—creating a striking contrast against the stark white snow of the "pyramid" peaks and the deep blue highland sky. This season turns the viewing point into a photographer's paradise, where one can capture the "Golden Snow Mountains" at sunrise or the sea of clouds rolling through the valley at sunset, often accompanied by rainbows after rain,.

An Accessible Outdoor Haven

Unlike many high-altitude mountaineering destinations that require arduous trekking, the San'ao Snow Mountain Viewing Point is relatively accessible, making it an excellent introduction to high-altitude exploration. It serves as a base camp for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring wooden cabins and coffee houses that allow visitors to enjoy the scenery in comfort. From here, visitors can embark on hikes into the Tarjia Valley or towards the Otai Na base camp. The area combines the raw beauty of primitive forests and alpine lakes with the comfort of developed infrastructure, offering a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Whether you are camping under a galaxy of stars on the meadow or sipping tea while watching the sun paint the snow peaks gold, this site offers a profound connection to the "Highland Aesthetics" of the Sichuan-Tibet plateau,.