White Water Terraces (Baishuitai)
A travertine terrace landscape of calcified spring deposits, with milky-white terraced pools stacked layer upon layer like crescent-shaped rice terraces; in the Naxi language it is called 'Shilizhi', meaning 'a flower that gradually grows'
Visitor info
- Opening hours
- 08:00-17:00
- Ticket
- approx. CNY 30
Price is indicative — final quote on inquiry.
A travertine terrace landscape of calcified spring deposits, with milky-white terraced pools stacked layer upon layer like crescent-shaped rice terraces; in the Naxi language it is called 'Shilizhi', meaning 'a flower that gradually grows'. Legend says Dingba Shiluo, founder of the Dongba religion, practiced and preached here, so White Water Terraces is regarded as the birthplace of Naxi Dongba culture; on the eighth day of the second lunar month each year, local Naxi people make a pilgrimage to the terraces. The terraces were formed by centuries of calcium carbonate spring deposits, of the same type as Pamukkale in Turkey, and among China's similar landscapes it is the one most deeply intertwined with ethnic belief.
Getting there: About 2.5 hours by chartered car from Shangri-La (or on the same route as Tiger Leaping Gorge)
Photos
More in Shangri-La
- Dukezong Ancient Town
A major town on the Tea Horse Road and one of China's better-preserved Tibetan-style old towns: Sifang Street, Guishan Park and the world's largest prayer wheel (Jixiang Shenglichuang, the 'Auspicious Victory Banner', approx. 21 m tall, takes several people pushing together to turn) are its landmarks, and climbing Guishan Hill gives a bird's-eye view of the whole town
- Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
The largest Gelug (Yellow Hat) Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province, known as the 'Little Potala Palace': the Zhacang assembly hall rising against the hillside and its reflection in Lhamo Yangtso Lake are classic photo spots
- Pudacuo National Park
One of mainland China's first national park system pilot sites (designated around 2007): three sections — the Shudu Lake boardwalks, Militang Pasture and Bita Lake; a visit takes approx. 3-4 hours, at 3,500-4,100 m elevation
- Napa Lake (Yila Grassland)
A seasonal plateau lake-marsh wetland: high water forms a lake in summer and autumn, receding to Yila Grassland in winter and spring; the ring road around the lake suits cycling or a chartered car
- Shika Snow Mountain
A sightseeing snow mountain reached directly by cableway; the main peak stands at approx. 4,500 m, and 'Shika' means 'the mountain with red deer' in Tibetan
- Tiger Leaping Gorge (Upper Tiger Leaping)
A famous gorge where the Jinsha River carves between the Yulong (Jade Dragon) and Haba snow mountains, with a drop of over 3,000 meters between the river and the peaks on both sides; at Upper Tiger Leaping, take the plank walkway down to the river to see the rushing rapids at Tiger Leaping Stone