1. Things To Know Before You Go
Why would you travel to White-Water Terrace in Shangri-La? Because this place may leave you a very deep impression even a casual glance.
White-Water Terrace, namely Baishuitai(白水台) in pinyin, is located in Baidi village, which is one of the main inhabited areas of the Naxi ethnic group in Shangri-La. Although it is only within a radius of less than a hundred miles, it plays a crucial role in the entire Naxi Dongba culture. The production of Dongba paper and ink in Baidi area has retained the traditional craftsmanship and they are rather rare treasures, also the Dongba scriptures written on Dongba paper and Dongba ink have been passed down for many generations. For foreign travelers who are interested in the long-standing Chinese culture, they can just take this opportunity to come here and enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience its time-honored history and culture.
2. Why Is White-Water Terrace So Special?
2.1 The Tangible Benefits
Shangri-La, just as described in "Lost Horizon"--a novel written by James Hilton, is a place of eternity, peace and tranquility. There are not only grasslands surrounded by snow-capped mountains on all sides, but also the harmonious glow of sunlight shining on every corner. There are living Buddhas walking slowly along the street with a calm demeanor, also the magnificent and mysterious temples and the extremely kind and serene expressions on the faces of the simple and kind Khampa Tibetans. Everything exists just like the Garden of Eden in people's dreams. When you travel here, you only need to do two things: quietly basking in the sun and pondering over the question "Why do people have to be in such a hurry?"
White-Water Terrace, it looks like a solidified snow-white waterfall or a castle made of cotton and white terraced fields. It is more beautiful than the Pamukkale in Turkey and can be regarded as a wonder of the world, the whole visiting process will bring great pleasure to the tourists both physically and mentally, therefore making it a unmissed destination when travelling in Shangri-La.
2.2 White Water-Terrace Overview
2.2.1 Geographical Location
White Water-Terrace is located at the foothill of Haba Snow Mountain, Baidi Village, Sanba Township, Shangri-La City, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is 103 kilometres away from Shangri-La County and has an altitude of 2,380 meters. It is the largest calcareous sinter platform in China, a natural wonder formed by the dissolution of calcium carbonate in spring water. When the spring water containing calcium bicarbonate slowly flows down, the carbonate gradually precipitates and terraced mantles are formed over many years. Since it looks like layers of terraced fields, it is also renowned as "the fields left by immortals" , covering an area approximately 3 square kilometres. In Naxi language, White Water-Terraces is also called "Shibu Zhi", which means the flower that grows gradually.
2.2.2 Tourism Resources
As a very important tourist attraction in the Diqing Plateau, when it is seen from a distance, White Water-Terrace is nestled among the green mountains and really looks like layers of terraced fields. Under the sunshine, it just like a frozen waterfall in a photographic work. Stepping on the white stone steps, one can feel an indescribable cool and refreshing sensation. When approaching the terrace, the travelers can spot that White Water-Terraces is stacked in layers, just like pieces of slanting moons scattered on the earth, or like the silver ornaments of Naxi girls, stacked and decorated into countless silver rings. In the morning sunlight and evening glow, the silver light scatters, giving people a refreshing feeling just like gold and jade being chiseled. Not far to the east of Baidi village, there is a waterfall over 60 meters high, which is very worth seeing.
2.3 History And Culture Of White-Water Terrace
2.3.1 Dongba Culture And Legend
White-Water Terrace is not only a place with beautiful scenery but also the central birthplace of the Dongba religion of the Naxi ethnic group, a place for religious activities and ethnic festivals. Regarded as a precious geological heritage in Shangri-La, it had already become a well-known tourist destination in western Yunnan as early as the Tang and Song dynasties.
In terms of legend, the founder of Dongba, "Dongba Shiluo", attained enlightenment through cultivation in White-Water Terrace, and thus it has been considered as the Dongba ashram by people. Every year on the eighth day of the second lunar month, local ethnic groups such as Tibetan, Naxi, Yi, Bai, and Lisu will go to White-Water Terrace to hold sacrificial activities, entertaining the gods with singing and dancing, presenting a strong ethnic flavor. After thousands of years of enrichment and development, the Dongba scriptures have become a treasure house of the ancient culture of the Naxi ethnic group. The Baidi cave where it is said that Dongba Shiluo once practiced and preached has also been worshiped as the "Spiritual Cave"; Baidi, the main place where Dongba Shiluo lived, has also been honored as the "Holy Land".
In addition, there is a spring terrace shaped like a crescent moon on the left side of White Water Terrace with clear spring water overflowing abundantly. According to legend, it is the place where fairies dress up. While there is a stone vault on the lower left side of the spring terrace of White-Water Terraces, it is as white as jade, shaped like a pregnant woman, which is believed by the local people as the "Goddess of Reproduction".
2.3.2 Festival And Activities
Er yue ba(二月八) is also known as "Zhao Baishui", named 朝白水 in pinyin, which is a traditional festival of the Naxi ethnic group. It is said that the eighth day of the second lunar month of the lunar calendar is the day when Dingba Shiluo created White-Water Terrace. Whenever the festival approaches, people from ethnic minorities such as Naxi, Tibetan, Yi, Lisu, and Hui, dressed in their best clothes, gather here to perform singing and dancing, have picnics, and hold sacrificial activities. They entertain the gods with traditional folk songs and dances along with pray to the gods for a bumper harvest in the coming year, it is indeed a strong ethnic flavor as they celebrate the festival with a grandeur and the solemnity is no less than that of the Spring Festival.
3. How To Get To White-Water Terrace
Public transportation: There are shuttle buses departing from Shangri-La Passenger Transport Station to White-Water Terrace (Sanba Township). There are two shifts every day, at 9:00 and 14:00 respectively. The ticket price is 26 yuan per person. Most importantly, there will be additional shuttle buses on Sundays and holidays especially for those who are in great demand for tourism.
In addition, there is also a bus departing from Hutiaoxia Town at noon every day to White-Water Terrace, thus tourists who are hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge can also go to White-Water Terrace from there.
Chartered a car : You can also hire a car to go there and the cost is about 400 yuan (round trip).
Admission fee (30RMB) & OpeningHours (8:30--17:30)
Recommended time for a visit: 3 hours
4. What To See At White-Water Terrace
4.1 Cliffside Carvings 摩崖石刻
The cliffside carvings are located at the source of the spring on the top of White-Water Terrace. According to legend, they were inscribed by Mu Gao, the chieftain of the Mu family in Lijiang, when he paid a pilgrimage to White-Water Terraces in the 33rd year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. The poem is as follows:
Five hundred years ago, a traveling monk come here,
Once resided in the Buddhist land, guarding the great ability.
Three thousand ridges of cloud waves and snow billows,
Tens of thousands of fields of jade stalks and silver mounds.
The winding paths remain untainted by dust,
The layered jade-like surges of water are always congealed.
The Yangtze River forever serves as the jade in the heart's field,
Admiring this noble man who has achieved the supreme state.
4.2 Shiluo Spiritual Cave 什罗灵洞
Also known as Amin Cave (阿明洞), it is located on the mountain to the east of White-Water Terrace. The cave is full of grotesque rocks and is shaped like a cone. In Naxi language, it is called "Shiluo Eke" and was once the holy land where Dingba Shiluo, the founder of the Dongba religion, practiced his religious cultivation. When the travel enthusiasts travel in this area, they will appreciate the nature of the nature superlative craftsmanship.
5. Climate & Best Time To Go
Located in the plateau area at an altitude of about 2,380 meters, the climate of White-Water Terrace is mainly characterized by a temperate climate. The average annual temperature is about 11.4 °C, and it has abundant rainfall, so the climate is relatively cool.
Best Travel Time: The best travel time to White Water Terrace is from February to April and from September to November each year. At this time, the weather is relatively pleasant and the scenery is the most beautiful. Especially in spring and autumn, the water volume is moderate, and the spring water under the sunlight will reflect different colors, which is extremely breathtaking and very suitable for tourists' outdoor activities.
6. Food & Accommodation In White-Water Terrace
6.1 What To Eat?
When coming to White-Water Terrace, the following foods are some of the local specialties and tourists can taste these local specialties while enjoying the beautiful scenery, which will also make the whole journey an unforgettable experience.
Sliced Cold Pig's Feet: It has a delicious taste and is a classic snack in White-Water Terrace.
Shredded Lemon Chicken: It is sweet and sour, and every bite leaves tourists with a lingering taste.
Stir-fried Water Vegetables: It is fresh and refreshing, making it the best choice in summer.
Dry-fried Shredded Potatoes: It is crispy and delicious, and also a good companion for rice.
Deep-fried Spare Ribs with Mint: The aroma fills the air, making people unable to resist.
Yak Beef with Pickled Peppers: It is spicy, numbing, fresh and fragrant, a paradise for meat lovers.
Chicken Stewed with Matsutake Mushrooms: The soup has a delicious flavor, and the chicken is not tough, leaving tourists the endless aftertaste.
Mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms are only 45 yuan per portion and the whole chicken stewed with matsutake mushrooms only costs 240 yuan. In addition, the side dishes are only 15 yuan per portion. Therefore, the prices are affordable, but the tastes are unforgettable.
Overall, the above delicious foods not only taste great but also have affordable prices, making them a must-try food experience for tourists in the White-Water Terrace.
6.2 Where To Stay?
When it refers to the accommodation in White-Water Terraces, Shangri-La Bai Shui He Hotel and Guan Xin Homestay are very good choices. Meanwhile, travelers can also choose the group tours on our website and then we can help them select good hotels or homestays with good price and life experience in this way, so as to make them feel more pleasant in the accommodation and achieve the purpose of a more comfortable travel eventually.
7. Nearby Attractions
7.1 Qianhu Mountain 千湖山
Traveling 50 kilometers southward along the Yunnan-Tibet Highway from Shangri-La City, travelers will arrive at Qianhu Mountain, which is situated in Tuanjie Village, Xiaozhongdian Township. Qianhu Mountain is called "Lhamo Dongtso" in Tibetan, which means "the Thousand Lakes of the Goddess or the Thousand Lakes of the Fairy". The lake area is distributed at an altitude ranging from 3,900 meters to 4,000 meters, with Sanbi Sea and Dahei Sea as the centers, covering an area of 150 square kilometers.
All of these lakes are with variegated shapes, some of them are as round as bright mirrors, while others are as long as swimming fish; some grotesque rocks protrude like crocodiles poking their heads out, while some waters are so deep that they seem like bottomless abysses. Truly, they are in a myriad of postures. Qianhu Mountain is surrounded by virgin forests, mostly consisting of tall and straight firs and spruces. The lake shores are covered with azalea forests, mostly yellow azaleas, red azaleas and white azaleas, with large corollas and bright colors, the intertwined roots of the azaleas form a great natural wonder. Yellow ducks playing in the water fly over the secluded lakes from time to time, which in turn add the infinite vitality to the tranquil lakes and the elegant mountain scenery.
7.2 Mingyong Glacier 明永冰川
It originates from the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain, Kawagebo Peak. The glacier winds its way down along the Mingyong Valley and extends all the way to an altitude of 2,650 meters. The Mingyong Glacier is approximately 4 kilometers long and 30 to 80 meters wide. The surrounding green mountains, verdant valleys, mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests, and wet evergreen broad-leaved forests around the iceberg are well preserved in their original states. It represents the typical diverse natural geographical characteristics of the dry and hot valleys of the Lancang River. According to research, Mingyong Glacier is the glacier with the lowest altitude in the Northern Hemisphere and also one of the glaciers with the lowest latitude, which also makes it one of the most spectacular glaciers in the world.
7.3 Kawagebo Peak 卡格博峰
Kawagebo means "white snow-capped mountain" in Tibetan and is commonly known as "the God of Snow-capped Mountains".
It is located in the Meili Snow Mountain, the west of Shengping Town, Deqin County of Shangri-La. As a pilgrimage holy land in Tibetan Buddhism, it also ranks first among the eight great sacred mountains in Tibetan areas and is also praised as "one of the most beautiful mountains in the world". With an altitude of 6,740 meters and a pyramid-shaped snow-capped mountain, it is with the highest peak in Yunnan and one of the main landscapes of "Three Parallel Rivers". So far, Kawagebo Peak still remains a virgin peak that no one has ever reached the summit.
8. Useful Travel Tips
When tourists visit White-Water Terraces, here are some useful travel suggestions:
Best Viewing Spots: The best viewing angle is from the leftmost viewing platform.
Photography Tips: It is recommended to wear bright-colored clothes for taking pictures, such as red. The shooting effect will be better when the light is soft in the morning and evening, which can avoid overexposure caused by direct sunlight at noon.
Aerial Photography with Drones: It is advisable to bring a drone for aerial photography. Looking down at White-Water Terrace from the air, the layered terraced field landscape will be even more stunning.
Hiking and Horseback Riding: You can choose to hike or ride a horse to go up this area. Hiking requires climbing stairs for about 20 minutes. You can also choose to ride a horse, and the cost is 50 yuan.
Environmental Protection: You can only walk along the paths built by the scenic area and can't step into the calcium carbonate deposition areas without permission.
Apart from this, the precautions are as follows:
Sun Protection and Keeping Warm: White-Water Terrace is located on the plateau with strong ultraviolet rays, so sun protection measures need to be taken. Meanwhile, the temperature difference between morning and evening is rather large, so it is recommended to bring warm clothes.
Prevention of Altitude Sickness: White Water-Terraces is at a relatively high altitude. It is recommended that tourists who are prone to altitude sickness prepare relevant medicines.
Ecological Protection: The ecological environment of White-Water Terrace is fragile, so tourists need to abide by the regulations of the scenic area, not litter, and protect the ecological environment.
