Yaomei Feng | Siguliang
Yaomei Feng, also known as Yaomei Peak and the highest summit of Mount Siguniang, is a dramatic 6,000-meter mountain in western Sichuan, China. Rising above the deep valleys and rugged alpine terrain of the Qionglai Mountains, it is the range’s highest point and one of the most visually striking mountains on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
For decades, Yaomei Feng was officially listed at 6,250 meters. In 2023, however, Chinese authorities released a newly measured elevation of 6,247.8 meters (20,498 feet) for Mount Siguniang. Many international mountaineering databases, including Peakbagger, continue to use the traditional 6,250-meter figure.
Unlike the lower summits of the Mount Siguniang massif, Yaomei Feng is not an ordinary trekking mountain. Its steep granite faces, glaciers, mixed rock-and-ice terrain, extreme altitude, and complex approaches make it an objective for highly experienced alpine climbers.
🏔️ Overview
Yaomei Feng (幺妹峰) forms the highest point of Mount Siguniang, a spectacular group of four principal peaks in Sichuan Province. Its name can be translated as “Peak of the Youngest Sister,” reflecting its association with the four summits traditionally identified as the Four Sisters.
The mountain rises in the Qionglai Mountains, which form part of the much broader Hengduan Mountains system of southwestern China.
The four principal Mount Siguniang summits are generally recognized as:
- Daguniang Feng
- Erguniang Feng
- Sanguniang Feng
- Yaomei Feng
Despite being called the “youngest sister,” Yaomei is by far the tallest.
The surrounding mountain landscape also has exceptional ecological and geological importance. Mount Siguniang forms part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries World Heritage property, and in 2026 the wider area received another international designation as the Mt. Siguniang UNESCO Global Geopark.
⚡ Fast Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Continent | Asia |
| Country | China |
| State/Province | Sichuan |
| County/Region | Xiaojin and Wenchuan counties, Aba/Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture |
| Mountain Range | Qionglai Mountains, within the broader Hengduan Mountains system |
| Parent Peak | Yaomei Feng is the high point of the Qionglai Mountains; broader topographic parent classifications vary |
| Official Elevation | 6,247.8 m / 20,498 ft |
| Traditional Elevation | 6,250 m / 20,505 ft |
| Prominence | 2,571 m / 8,435 ft according to Peakbagger, which retains the traditional 6,250 m elevation |
| Isolation | 176.3 km / 109.55 mi |
| Nearest Higher Neighbor (NHN) | Jiazi Feng |
| Approximate Coordinates | 31.107° N, 102.902° E |
| First Ascent | 1981, Japanese expedition |
| UNESCO Status | Part of Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries; Mt. Siguniang UNESCO Global Geopark since 2026 |
Peakbagger identifies Jiazi Feng, approximately 176 kilometers to the south-southwest, as Yaomei Feng’s nearest higher neighbor. Its prominence of 2,571 meters qualifies Yaomei as an ultra-prominent mountain, meaning it has more than 1,500 meters of topographic prominence.
📍 Location
Yaomei Feng rises in western Sichuan Province on the eastern side of the Tibetan Plateau. It lies in the border area between Xiaojin County and Wenchuan County within the Aba, or Ngawa, Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.
This is one of China’s great high-mountain regions. The relatively low Sichuan Basin lies to the east, while immense ranges, deep river valleys, glaciers, forests, and alpine plateaus dominate the landscape farther west.
The Qionglai Mountains are themselves part of the complex Hengduan mountain system, a region characterized by dramatic north–south mountain chains separated by exceptionally deep valleys.
Travelers exploring the wider region can learn more in our guide to the mountains of China.
📏 Elevation & Prominence
Yaomei Feng is especially interesting because its published elevation has recently changed.
For many years, maps and mountaineering references listed the summit at 6,250 meters (20,505 feet). That remains the elevation used by Peakbagger and numerous climbing publications.
In October 2023, however, China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced newly approved elevation data for nine major Sichuan mountains. The official elevation assigned to Mount Siguniang was:
6,247.8 meters / approximately 20,498 feet
The new measurement resulted from a modern surveying program carried out by the Sichuan Surveying, Mapping and Geographic Information Bureau. Chinese authorities stated that the updated values should be used for administration, research, education, news reporting, and international communication.
Peakbagger currently records:
- Elevation: 6,250 m
- Prominence: 2,571 m
- Key col: 3,679 m
- Isolation: 176.3 km
- Nearest higher neighbor: Jiazi Feng
Because Peakbagger has not yet substituted the official 6,247.8-meter elevation, its listed prominence should be understood as belonging to the traditional elevation dataset.
Yaomei Feng is nevertheless unquestionably an ultra-prominent summit and the dominant peak of the Qionglai Mountains.
🪨 Geology
Yaomei Feng lies along the tectonically complex eastern edge of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, where enormous crustal forces associated with the collision of India and Eurasia have compressed, folded, fractured, and uplifted the landscape.
The newly designated Mt. Siguniang UNESCO Global Geopark contains particularly important examples of folded sedimentary rocks, flysch deposits, granite peaks, glacial landforms, and structures associated with continental collision.
UNESCO highlights the region’s Xikang-type folds and extensive flysch deposits as especially valuable for understanding the geological development of the eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Yaomei itself is distinguished by steep rock walls and sharp alpine ridges. Glacial erosion has further modified the mountain and surrounding valleys during repeated cold periods of the Quaternary.
The result is an exceptionally rugged landscape of:
- Granite towers
- Steep rock faces
- Glacial valleys
- Moraines
- Alpine basins
- Snowfields
- Ice-covered gullies
- High ridges and passes
These same geological features that make Mount Siguniang spectacular also help explain why Yaomei Feng presents such serious technical climbing challenges.
🌿 Flora & Fauna
Yaomei Feng rises above one of the most biologically important mountain regions in China.
The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries — Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains — cover approximately 924,500 hectares and protect an enormous range of forests, alpine habitats, and mountain ecosystems.
UNESCO notes that the sanctuary contains habitat for giant pandas as well as other threatened wildlife, including:
- Red pandas
- Snow leopards
- Clouded leopards
- Numerous mountain birds and mammals
The protected region is also exceptionally rich botanically, containing thousands of plant species distributed across forests, meadows, shrublands, and alpine environments.
Vegetation changes dramatically with elevation. Lower valleys contain relatively lush forests, while higher terrain transitions through coniferous woodland and alpine meadow before giving way to increasingly sparse vegetation, bare rock, snow, and ice.
Wild giant pandas inhabit suitable forest environments within the broader sanctuary rather than the exposed upper slopes of Yaomei Feng itself.
🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes
There is an important distinction between visiting Mount Siguniang and climbing Yaomei Feng.
The surrounding valleys contain accessible hiking and sightseeing opportunities. The summit of Yaomei Feng is an entirely different undertaking requiring advanced mountaineering skills.
Changping Valley
Changping Valley provides some of the best-known approaches and views of the Mount Siguniang massif.
The valley passes through forests, meadows, streams, and increasingly rugged alpine terrain. Mountaineering expeditions have historically used the Changping side of the massif to establish camps and reach technical climbing routes.
Haizi Valley
Haizi Valley is another major trekking area, known for high-altitude lakes, meadows, open slopes, and broad views of surrounding peaks.
Routes in this valley allow hikers to experience the high-mountain environment without attempting the dangerous upper slopes of Yaomei Feng.
Shuangqiao Valley
Shuangqiao Valley offers mountain scenery, forests, meadows, streams, and dramatic views of the surrounding high peaks.
The valley is particularly useful for visitors interested in seeing the landscapes of Mount Siguniang without committing to a long or technical mountain expedition.
Technical Routes on Yaomei Feng
The mountain itself presents extremely difficult snow, ice, mixed, and rock climbing.
The first ascent was completed by a Japanese expedition in 1981. The team spent approximately 16 days on the mountain and used roughly 2,000 meters of fixed rope while climbing snow and ice before continuing toward the summit by the eastern ridge system.
A second successful Japanese ascent followed in 1992.
In 1994, American climber Charlie Fowler completed an extraordinary solo ascent in only a few days.
The mountain’s steep northern side became another major objective. In 2002, British climbers Mick Fowler and Paul Ramsden completed a major route through the north face, adding to Yaomei Feng’s reputation as one of western Sichuan’s most formidable technical mountains.
🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Do not confuse trekking in the Mount Siguniang scenic area with climbing Yaomei Feng. The valleys can be explored by ordinary hikers, but the summit requires expert-level alpine experience involving extreme altitude, snow, ice, rock, objective hazards, route-finding, and expedition planning.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
The ideal season depends heavily on what you intend to do.
For general sightseeing and trekking, the warmer months provide easier access to the valleys and lower mountain terrain. Summer, however, coincides with wetter monsoon-influenced conditions, which can bring clouds, rain, landslides, and reduced mountain visibility.
Spring and autumn can provide clearer conditions, although snow remains possible at higher elevations.
Winter is extremely cold in the high mountains and should not be treated as an easy alternative simply because precipitation may be lower.
Technical climbers often choose narrow weather windows based on snowfall, ice formation, wind, temperature, avalanche conditions, and route orientation rather than relying on a conventional tourist season.
Anyone attempting high-altitude routes should obtain current local information before entering the mountains.
🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions
Yaomei Feng stands within an exceptional concentration of peaks and mountain valleys.
Jiazi Feng
Jiazi Feng rises farther south in western Sichuan and is Yaomei Feng’s nearest higher neighbor according to Peakbagger.
Dahuang Feng
Dahuang Feng is another major summit of the Qionglai Mountains. Its proximity makes it part of the same exceptionally rugged high-mountain landscape.
Hengduan Mountains
The broader Hengduan Mountains contain some of the greatest relief and ecological diversity in Asia.
Changping Valley
Changping Valley combines forests, streams, alpine meadows, traditional landscapes, and dramatic views of the Mount Siguniang peaks.
Haizi Valley
Haizi Valley is known for its alpine lakes and open highland scenery and is popular with hikers seeking views of the massif.
Shuangqiao Valley
Shuangqiao Valley provides one of the most accessible opportunities to experience the dramatic mountain scenery surrounding Mount Siguniang.
🌏 UNESCO Recognition
Mount Siguniang now holds significance within two different UNESCO programs.
The first is the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries — Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains, which joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006.
The property protects one of the world’s most important remaining landscapes for giant panda conservation and also supports extraordinarily rich temperate mountain biodiversity.
In 2026, Mt. Siguniang was also designated a UNESCO Global Geopark.
The geopark designation focuses particularly on the region’s geological heritage, including tectonic structures, folded sedimentary rocks, flysch formations, granite mountains, glacial landscapes, and evidence of the geological processes responsible for the eastern Tibetan Plateau.
Together, these designations recognize both the ecological and geological importance of the landscape surrounding Yaomei Feng.
💡 Fun Facts
- Yaomei Feng is the highest summit of the Qionglai Mountains.
- Its Chinese name means roughly “Peak of the Youngest Sister.”
- The traditional elevation of 6,250 meters remains widely used in international mountaineering literature.
- China officially adopted a new elevation of 6,247.8 meters in 2023.
- Yaomei Feng has more than 2,500 meters of topographic prominence, making it an ultra-prominent mountain.
- Its nearest higher neighbor is Jiazi Feng.
- The first successful ascent took place in 1981.
- Yaomei’s steep faces have attracted some of the world’s strongest technical alpinists.
- The surrounding area forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage property protecting giant panda habitat.
- Mt. Siguniang became a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2026.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Yaomei Feng?
China’s current official elevation for Mount Siguniang’s main summit is 6,247.8 meters (20,498 feet).
Peakbagger and many older mountaineering references continue to list Yaomei Feng at 6,250 meters (20,505 feet).
What is the prominence of Yaomei Feng?
Peakbagger lists Yaomei Feng with 2,571 meters (8,435 feet) of topographic prominence. This value is based on its traditional 6,250-meter summit elevation.
What is the nearest higher mountain to Yaomei Feng?
Peakbagger identifies Jiazi Feng as the nearest higher neighbor, lying approximately 176 kilometers to the south-southwest.
Read our complete guide to Jiazi Feng.
Is Yaomei Feng the same as Mount Siguniang?
The terminology can be confusing. Mount Siguniang commonly refers to the four-peak massif and surrounding mountain area, while Yaomei Feng is its highest individual summit.
The name Mount Siguniang is also sometimes used specifically for the main peak.
What mountain range is Yaomei Feng in?
Yaomei Feng is the highest mountain of the Qionglai Mountains in western Sichuan. The Qionglai Mountains form part of the broader Hengduan mountain system.
Is Yaomei Feng easy to climb?
No. Yaomei Feng is an extremely serious technical alpine mountain.
Its summit routes involve combinations of steep rock, snow, ice, glaciers, exposed ridges, high altitude, severe weather, rockfall, avalanches, and lengthy approaches.
Can ordinary hikers visit Mount Siguniang?
Yes. Visitors do not need to climb Yaomei Feng to experience the area.
Changping Valley, Haizi Valley, and Shuangqiao Valley provide opportunities to hike and enjoy forests, alpine lakes, meadows, glacial landscapes, and views of the surrounding peaks.
When was Yaomei Feng first climbed?
A Japanese expedition completed the first ascent in 1981, using a route that climbed snow and ice before reaching the eastern ridge system.
Is Mount Siguniang a UNESCO site?
Yes. The area forms part of the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries, a UNESCO World Heritage property inscribed in 2006.
Mt. Siguniang also became a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2026.
🔗 Related Articles
- Jiazi Feng
- Dahuang Feng
- Hengduan Mountains
- Mountains in China: A Guide to the Country’s Highest Peaks and Major Ranges
- Highest Mountains in China
📚 Sources
- Peakbagger — Yaomei Feng
- National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China — Updated Elevations of Gongga Shan, Mount Siguniang and Other Sichuan Peaks
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries: Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains
- UNESCO — Mt. Siguniang UNESCO Global Geopark
- American Alpine Club — East of the Himalaya, Part III: West Sichuan Highland–Yangtze River Basin
