Baishuitai: white travertine terraces at a Naxi holy site below Haba
Baidi village, Sanba Naxi township, Shangri-La
At 2,380 m on the north side of Haba Snow Mountain, spring water that has dissolved limestone underground drops its calcium carbonate as it surfaces, building pale, stepped terraces. It's a holy site of the Naxi Dongba religion and a provincial heritage site since 1993, and Baidi village below was listed as a traditional village in 2013. It's about 90 km from Shangri-La on mountain roads, so make it a full day out or a stop between Shangri-La and Tiger Leaping Gorge.
What locals sayMany call it 'China's Pamukkale', but a 2021 study found its terraces build up less compactly and wear away faster than Turkey's, so keep expectations modest.
- Cost
- About ¥30 (2026)
- Time
- 1–2 hours · a full day out from Shangri-La
- In Chinese
- 白水台
Ticket Baishuitai (White Water Terraces) US$4.5 ¥30 · prices & how to book →
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Based on what locals and regular visitors share, checked against current sources · Updated September 2026. Details change — check opening times locally.
