From Lijiang, we did numerous day trips and one of them was to Bai Shui Tai meaning “White Water Place”. It one of the world’s largest tuff-spring terraces and located at Baidi village that is 105 kilometers to the South East of Shangri-La.
As a quick background, these terraces were formed by calcium bicarbonate depositions in the spring water in prolonged photosynthesis processes, where the chemical gradually deposited to make the 200 – plus mus of tuff-spring terraces. According to the local tales, these terraces naturally arranged themselves into the following 5 scenes: silvery bubbles threading up the water, water mirroring the skies, celestial being left over fields, fairy comes to the human world and dragon frolicking in the limpid water. Legendary tales say that Dingbashiluo, the first ancestor who founded the Dongba religion had practiced and preached his religious doctrine there, therefore the place is believed to be the origin of the Dongba religion. Owing to this reason people say those who have not gone pilgrimage to Baishuitai cannot be deemed as true Dongba Buddhists. Till now, every year on 8th February (Chinese Lunar calendar) when the surrounding mountains are festooned with flower bossoms, the locals gather here for the festival “er yue ba”, literally translated as “Eighth of February”, which is believed the day of the Dongba founder held his founding ceremony. At that day the local Naxi people sing, dance and slaughter chickens for offering sacrifices to the God of Mountain. Festival ends with smearing the chicken blood on the branches around Baishui Water Terraces to show their esteems. There was no guide around hence we couldn’t ask for more information on this place.
A short hike along broken stairs and rough paths to the terraces –
And along merrily flowing cool streams –
For that first glimpse of the terraces –
And the stunning terraces –
Crystal clear water with the silver bubbles threading up the water –
Water mirroring the clouds in small pools that have collected above the terraces –
Actually looks like celestial being left over fields –
For views like this, fairies could actually come to the human world –
And this is my take on the dragon frolicking in the limpid water –
And other smaller pools and general paths for walking and exploring around –
Gorgeous small pools and shadows that invite you to dip your feet in –
And to top it all, are such stunning vistas all around –
Tips for the trip –
- This can be done as a day trip from Shangri-La as well as Lijiang. Since it’s quite a long drive from both these places, it is normally quite empty.
- There is a ticket that can be bought from the ticketing counter at the Tiger Leaping Gorge.
- There is a short hike and hence the appropriate footwear. Ponies are also available but they drop you just halfway up the climb.
Gorgeous colors in the pools of water! 🙂
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Thanks and I loved them too… The water was colorless and just reflecting the color of its surrounding….
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Thanks and I loved them too… The water was colorless and just reflecting the color of its surrounding….
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Lovely!
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Thanks 🙂
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What a beautiful and natural terraces these are. But those stairs that you travelled are a little scary. Thanks for sharing this beautiful part of your world.
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Thanks and the stairs were scary but still manageable… In fact many children were climbing it too…
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Such an amazing location!!
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It is 🙂
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It looks like mammoth spring in Yellowstone. It is beautiful, I love these terraces !
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Thanks, I haven’t been to Yellowstone yet, but hope to someday 🙂
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It’s a beautiful place ! I recommend !
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Thanks 🙂
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I’d love to see the terraces myself. Looks like a beautiful spot!
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It is and the general quiet and calm around added to its charm… I understand Turkey has such terraces too…
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I know about the ones in Turkey. They are on my to visit list 🙂
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Mine too 😀
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If you’re still in China, you might want to check out Zhangye.
Also, I visited the Turkish “equivalent” of Baishuitui (http://buildingmybento.com/2012/04/11/pamukkale-turkey/) in the off-season a couple of years ago. There’s too much too see in both countries!
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wow, Zhangye see,s gorgeous…. Though I am back now, I will definitely return soon to see these landscapes… Have you been there yet?
I havent been to Turkey yet, but hope to be there soon… So many places to visit and so little time 🙂
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What amazing pictures!!
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Thanks 🙂
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Hi I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Thank you and keep inspiring. http://maverickbird.com/2014/12/18/i-am-touched/
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Hey, thanks a ton for this award and the honor… Shall write the thank you post soon 🙂
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You are welcome
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I am in love with the meandering pools because of its emerald water reflecting the gorgeous landscape around likes a magical mirror ❤ ❤
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You have expressed it so beautifully 🙂 It does look like magical mirrors 🙂
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Such vivid colors in your beautifully shot photos. Very interesting travel blog 🙂
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Thanks for the kind words and happy 2015 🙂
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Have a great new year 2015 ahead…:)
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Thanks 🙂
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This is an absolutely beautiful piece of the world.
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Thanks and it is 🙂
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I’ve been to the ‘white terraces’ in Pamukkale, Turkey last year – good to find out about travertines in other parts of the world too through your blog. Pamukkale’s terraces are a bit bigger I think but you’ll have a hard time avoiding getting other tourists out of your picture frames, even in the shoulder season. 🙂 Though I remember the first time I saw pictures of Pamukkale – I couldn’t believe this place was for real!
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Hey, before my China trip even I had just heard about these terraces being only in Pamukkale, Turkey… Though unlike in Turkey, in China they didn’t allow us to enter the waters in these terraces… And this place is so remote that there are few tourists around… Guess thats why the picture frames 🙂
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I can see why the place is called Shangri-La (I hadn’t realized it was an actual place–I thought it was made up!). Beautiful photos and lovely descriptions. Thanks also for liking my blog post.
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Thanks so much for the kind words… And the Chinese tourism authorities named this city Shangri-La to boost local tourism 🙂
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how very cool. happy 2015
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Thanks and wishing you a very happy 2015 too 🙂
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Very interesting reading. Thanks for the like of my Feeling Safe. We are still up in the air on our destination after Istanbul. Your photos from various parts of China are enchanting. cheers.
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Thanks for visiting my blog and the kind words 🙂
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