Exploring Muya Jinta: Encounter the Sacredness and Majesty of Tibetan Land
In the vast land of western Sichuan, there is a place shining with sacred light—Muya Jinta. This stupa, funded and built in 1997 by Nyingma Lama Dorje Zaxi to commemorate the empowerment and teachings of the 10th Panchen Lama, stands at the center surrounded by eight sacred mountains including Yala Mountain and Xiagu Dongqing Mountain. Known in Tibetan as "Gurutang," meaning "Lotus Master's Sanctuary," it carries profound religious and cultural significance, attracting countless visitors to explore.
1. Preparation Before the Trip
1. Documents: Bring your ID card; if you have a student ID, senior citizen card, etc., some attractions may offer discounts.
2. Clothing: The temperature difference between morning and evening is large locally, even in summer, so bring warm clothes like down jackets and windbreakers; during the day, strong sunlight requires sun-protective clothing, sun hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
3. Medicine: Prepare altitude sickness medication in advance, such as Rhodiola (take about a week before); common medicines like cold medicine, gastrointestinal medicine, motion sickness pills, fever reducers, and anti-inflammatory drugs are essential; if worried about altitude sickness discomfort, bring glucose oral liquid and oxygen bottles.
4. Other items: Power bank, camera, phone, water bottle, travel backpack, etc.
2. Transportation Guide
1. Self-driving: Depart from Chengdu, take the G4217 Rongchang Expressway, pass through Ya'an and Luding, cross Zheduo Mountain, then turn onto S434 provincial road. The total distance is about 350 kilometers, with a driving time of 6-7 hours. The scenery along the way is stunning, and you can stop anytime to admire the magnificent western Sichuan landscape, but be cautious of curves and high-altitude road safety.
2. Public transportation: First arrive at Kangding by taking a shuttle bus from Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station or Chengdu East Station, about 4 hours. After reaching Kangding, transfer to a bus heading to Tagong Town; bus frequency is limited, so check schedules in advance. Alternatively, you can charter a car from Kangding to Tagong Grassland, with costs depending on vehicle type and number of passengers; carpooling is more economical. Muya Jinta is located within the Tagong Grassland scenic area and is easy to find once you reach Tagong Town.
3. Best Time to Visit
1. June to August: The grassland is lush and blooming, with pleasant weather, making it the golden season. In front of Muya Jinta, you can enjoy the beautiful contrast between the grassland and the golden stupa and participate in lively local folk activities.
2. September to October: In autumn, the surrounding grasslands gradually turn golden, blending with the deep blue sky and white snow-capped mountains to form a colorful oil painting—an excellent time for photography enthusiasts to capture stunning scenes.
4. Attractions Exploration
1. Muya Jinta Main Structure: Tickets generally cost around 10-15 yuan. This mandala-style Buddhist temple building has three floors. The first floor is the Exoteric Hall, housing statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, and other eight great bodhisattvas and eighteen arhats; the second floor is the Esoteric Hall, enshrining Padmasambhava and esoteric lineage masters; the third floor is the Buddha's Relic Stupa, containing the Tripitaka, five types of relics, and hidden treasures. The three floors represent the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, and the three vehicles of Great, Small, and Esoteric Buddhism. The outer eaves of the stupa are decorated with gilded ornaments such as golden deer, dragon heads, golden-winged birds, and treasure banners, shining brilliantly under the sunlight.
2. Prayer Wheel Corridor: Outside the stupa is a 383-meter-long prayer wheel corridor with 470 prayer wheels containing the "Vajrasattva Hundred-Syllable Mantra" recited 2.2 billion times to eliminate obstacles. Follow the local believers’ footsteps, turn the prayer wheels clockwise, feel the power of faith, listen to the fluttering prayer flags, and purify your soul.
3. Surrounding Stupa Forest: Around the stupa are four pavilion-style stupas, each containing 100,000 small stupas. The stupa forest around Muya Jinta also includes 158 achievement stupas of eight types, housing rich and complete collections of scriptures like the Tripitaka. Walking through the stupa forest, you can almost hear echoes of history and feel a strong religious atmosphere.
5. Photo Tips
1. Low-angle Upward Shot: Stand in front of Muya Jinta and shoot from a low angle to include the stupa, the Yala Snow Mountain behind, and the deep blue sky, highlighting the grandeur of the stupa and the majesty of the snow mountain. The best time to shoot is from 7 to 9 a.m. when the light is soft and the stupa is illuminated by sunlight.
2. Portraits in the Prayer Wheel Corridor: In the evening, shoot backlit portraits in the prayer wheel corridor. Warm yellow light filters through the gaps of the prayer wheels, creating a strong atmosphere. You can turn the prayer wheels while shooting to capture natural dynamic moments.
3. Panorama Shots: Climb a nearby small hill and use a drone to capture panoramic aerial shots, encompassing Muya Jinta, Tagong Grassland, Yala Snow Mountain, and surrounding villages, showcasing the land’s grandeur and vastness.
6. Food Recommendations
1. Yak Meat Hot Pot: When here, be sure to try the steaming yak meat hot pot. Yak meat is firm and nutritious; when stewed into soup, it tastes delicious, dispels cold, and quickly replenishes energy.
2. Butter Tea: The rich aroma of milk and tea blends perfectly, with a mellow taste. It not only warms and wards off cold but also helps alleviate altitude sickness, making it an indispensable drink in Tibetan daily life.
3. Highland Barley Cake: Made from highland barley flour, it is crispy and fragrant, one of the local traditional staple foods, often eaten with butter tea.
4. Tibetan Yogurt: Handmade with a rich taste and a thick layer of cream on top, it is sweet and sour. You can add honey or sugar according to your taste to enhance the flavor.
7. Accommodation Suggestions
1. Tagong Town Inns: The town has many inns and homestays to choose from, with prices ranging from a few dozen yuan for a bed to over a hundred yuan for a standard room. It is convenient for travel and dining but the accommodation conditions are relatively basic.
2. Xinduqiao Hotels: About a half-hour drive from Tagong Grassland, offering a wider range of accommodations from budget hotels to high-end resorts, with more developed dining options and relatively lower altitude, reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
3. Camping: For those who want to get close to nature, camping at designated sites in Tagong Grassland is an option. However, prepare professional camping gear such as tents, sleeping bags, and moisture-proof mats, and pay attention to safety and warmth. Protect the environment by taking your trash with you when you leave.
8. Precautions
1. Altitude Sickness Prevention: The area around Muya Jinta is at high altitude. Upon arrival, avoid strenuous exercise such as running or jumping; get enough sleep and avoid staying up late; drink plenty of water, eat more fruits and vegetables, and avoid greasy foods. If symptoms of altitude sickness are severe, seek medical attention promptly.
2. Respect Local Customs: This is a Tibetan-inhabited area, so respect local religious beliefs and customs. When entering temples, follow temple rules and do not touch Buddha statues, prayer flags, or other religious items casually; be polite when communicating with locals.
3. Environmental Protection: The beautiful scenery around Muya Jinta requires everyone’s care. Please take your trash with you during your visit to keep the environment clean.
4. Weather Changes: The weather on the plateau is changeable, and you may experience multiple weather conditions in one day. Check the weather forecast before traveling and carry rain gear and warm clothing.