White Water Terraces

Baishuitai (White Water Terraces) is located at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain, 101 kilometers away from the county seat, with an altitude of 2,380 meters. It is the birthplace of Dongba religion of Naxi nationality. White Water Terraces is a natural wonder that formed by the dissolution of calcium carbonate in spring water. The spring water containing calcium carbonate flows down slowly, and then decomposes under the sunlight, forming a white precipitate of calcium carbonate. The white precipitate continuously covers the ground, forming a variety of lava landforms. From a distance, Baishuitai looks like layers of terraces, some people call it "Turkish cotton fort" in Yunnan. 

White Water Terraces panoramic view

White Water Terraces covers an area of 3 square kilometers with abundant rainfall and an average annual temperature of 11.4 ℃. It is one of the birthplaces of Naxi culture in China. According to research, Baishuitai was originally worshiped as a God. It is said that Ding bashiro, the first ancestor of Dongba religion of Naxi nationality, came back from studying Buddhist scriptures in Tibet. He was attracted by the beautiful scenery of Baishuitai and stayed there to set up an altar. Therefore, here is regarded a holy place for Dongba believers of Naxi nationality. It is said that Baishuitai has a history of 200,000~300,000 years. On the eight day of the second lunar month of every year, the local Tibetan, Naxi, Yi, Bai, Susu and other ethnic groups go to Baishuitai for sacrificial activities, you will feel very rich ethnic customs. It is also said that in order for the local Naxi people to learn how to cultivate farmland, the two gods of Naxi people specially built such a "terrace fields", so there is another saying of "a field left by fairies". 

Baishuitai is located in Baidi village, which is one of the main residential areas of Shangri La Naxi people. Although it is only a hundred miles away, it plays an important role in the whole Naxi Dongba culture. The paper and ink of Dongba produced in Baidi village keep the traditional craft and are rare treasures. The Dongba scriptures written with Dongba paper and ink have been handed down for a long time. 

White Water Terraces Facts

-Chinese name: 白水台

-Location: Baidi village, Sanba country, Shangri-la city, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture

-Time needed: 3-4 hours

-Entrance fee: CNY30 / perseon

-Opening Hours: 7:00-17:00 

Dongba Cultural

Dongba culture is one of the important contents of Naxi ancient culture, and it is named after it is preserved in Dongba religion. It is said that as early as the middle of the 11th century, Ding bashiro spread the Dongba religion around the Baidi village. With his followers, Ding bashiro wrote the Dongba Scripture in pictograph, which opened up a new situation of the development of Dongba religion, and he was regarded as the ancestor of Dongba religion by later generations. There are many records of his life and legend in the Dongba Scripture. After thousands of years of development and evolution, Dongba Scripture has become the treasure house of Naxi ancient culture. It is said that the Baidi Cave where Ding bashiro once practiced and preached, was also regarded as the “spiritual cave”. Baidi village, the main place where Ding bashiro lived, is also regarded as a “holy land”. 

White Water Terraces stunning view 

What to See at White Water Terraces

There are three platforms at the White Water Terraces. The first platform is like a man-made dam, each layer is full of water, the water looks very light and flows down quietly, and the white sediment forms a gentle slope here. The second platform is piled up in one spring pond after another, and the pond is deep. The third platform has several crescent shaped color pools of different sizes. The sediments are thickened layer by layer, which not only completely covers the surface of the earth, but also changes the landform, making it very white and beautiful. When spring water flows into flat ground, sediment is formed. Because sediment under the water cannot get the sunlight, it is soft particles. The pond ridge is often exposed to the sun, and constantly hardens and expands, which makes the pool water deeper and deeper, and always equal to the pond ridge. This is the principle of the formation of the White Water Terraces.

There is a spring terrace on the left side of the White Water Terraces, which looks like a crescent moon and overflows with spring water. It is said that it is the place where fairies make up. There is a hump below the left side of the spring terrace, which looks like a pregnant woman. It is the place where the local people worship the God of procreation.

The White Water Terraces is located in Baidi village, which is one of the main Naxi communities in Shangri-la. Although it is small in area, it plays an important role in the whole Naxi Dongba culture. The production of Dongba paper and Dongba ink keep the traditional manufacture technology, which are very precious treasures of Naxi Nationality. Dongba scriptures written with Dongba paper and Dongba ink have been long spread. Travel to White Water Terraces will bring you reach cultural about Dongba during your Shangri-la tour.

How to Get to the White Water Terraces

1. By Bus: Travels can take bus at Shangri-la Bus Station, which runs twice a day at 9:00 and 14:00. The bus ticket cost RMB26/person. There are extra buses on Sunday or holidays. Most of the roads are dirt road, please get off at Baidi village.

2. Private car: Easy Tour China can arrange private Shangri-la trip to White Water Terraces which will be more comfortable and convenient.

3. There is a bus departs from Tiger Leaping Gorge town every day (at noon time). Travelers at Tiger Leaping Gorge can also go to White Water Terraces by bus.