[2025 Yulong ] Travel Guide for Baishuitai (Updated Apr)

#discoverchina #kunming #dali #lijiang #shangri-la Day 1: Arrival in Kunming ✈️ at 16:55 📍 南屏步行街 – Experience the bustling commercial district, perfect for local snacks and shopping. 📍 昆明老街 – Wander through historic alleys and soak in the cultural charm of Yunnan. 🛏: Kunming Day 2: Kunming → Dali 🚆 D8730 (10:13 AM - 12:11 PM) 📍 喜洲古镇 – Admire traditional Bai-style architecture and try the famous Xizhou Baba (local pastry). 📍 大理古城 – Stroll along cobbled streets and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this historic town. 🛏: Dali Day 3: Discover Dali 🏞️ 📍 苍山感通索道 – Take a cable car ride up the mountain for a stunning view of Erhai Lake. 📍 崇圣寺三塔 – Visit one of Dali’s most iconic landmarks, rich in Buddhist history. 📍 S湾生态廊道 – Cycle along the beautiful Erhai Lake coastline and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. 🛏: Dali Day 4: Deeper into Dali 🌊🏯 📍 理想邦 – A modern art village blending creativity with Dali’s natural beauty. 📍 双廊古镇 – A charming lakeside town with incredible views of Erhai Lake. 📍 龙龛码头 – A perfect spot to watch the sunset over the lake. 🛏: Dali Day 5: Dali → Lijiang 🚆 C373 (9:21 AM - 11:31 AM) 📍 丽江古城 – A UNESCO World Heritage site with rich Naxi culture and stunning traditional architecture. 📍 白沙古镇 – A quiet, less-touristy town famous for its well-preserved murals. 📍 束河古镇 – A well-preserved historic town known for its traditional Naxi architecture and vibrant cultural atmosphere. 🛏: Lijiang Day 6: Explore Lijiang’s Natural Wonders 🌲 📍 甘海子 – The best place to view 日照金山 in the morning 📍 牦牛坪 – A scenic meadow on Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, surrounded by highland views. 📍 蓝月谷 – A stunning blue lake resembling a dreamlike paradise. 📍 玉龙雪山 – Take a cable car up to enjoy breathtaking glacier and snow-capped peaks. 🛏: Lijiang Day 7: Lijiang → Shangri-La 🚘 Car Rental 📍 虎跳峡 – One of the deepest gorges in the world, a must-visit for nature lovers. 📍 白水台 – A unique, naturally formed limestone terrace known as the “White Jade Fields.” 📍 哈巴雪山观景台 – Get a close-up view of the majestic Haba Snow Mountain. 📍 独克宗古城 – Visit the world’s largest prayer wheel and immerse yourself in Tibetan culture. 🛏: Shangri-La Day 8: Hidden Gems of Shangri-La 🏔️🌿 📍 松赞林寺 – This Tibetan Buddhist monastery is a cultural treasure. 📍 纳帕海 – A highland wetland with stunning landscapes and seasonal black-necked cranes. 🛏: Shangri-La Day 9: Shangri-La → Kunming 🚆 C124 (6:50 PM - 11:48 PM) 📍 普达措国家公园 – China’s first national park, featuring alpine meadows, lakes, and forests. 🛏: Kunming Day 10: Relaxing in Kunming 📍 海埂公园 – Enjoy scenic views of Dianchi Lake and seasonal seagulls in winter. 📍 滇池湿地公园 – A tranquil nature reserve perfect for photography and relaxation. 📍 斗南花市 – The largest flower trading center in Asia, a paradise for floral lovers. 🛏: Kunming Day 11: Departure from Kunming ✈️ at 17:55 📍 翠湖公园 – A peaceful urban oasis great for strolling. 📍 万象城 – A one-stop shopping, dining, and entertainment hub.

#Baishuitai #白水台 #Yunnan #云南 #YunnanTravel #云南旅行 #HiddenGems #NatureLovers #ChinaTravel #中国旅行 #YunnanAdventure #云南探险 #MountainEscape #UnrealViews #TravelPhotography #TravelDreams Hidden among the mountains of Yunnan, 白水台 (Baishuitai) is one of those places that feels almost otherworldly. Famous for its natural limestone terraces formed by calcium-rich spring water, Baishuitai offers a peaceful, almost meditative escape from the noise of everyday life. The journey to Baishuitai is part of the adventure — winding mountain roads, breathtaking valleys, and glimpses of rural life. Once you arrive, the view opens up to stunning white terraces cascading down the hillside like a frozen waterfall. Under the sunlight, the surface shimmers with a soft, ethereal glow, giving it a dreamlike quality. Walking along the stone paths and exploring the terraces is a serene experience. Unlike the more famous Pamukkale in Turkey, Baishuitai remains largely untouched by mass tourism, allowing you to truly soak in the beauty of nature without the crowds. The local Naxi culture also adds depth to the visit — from the colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze to the warm smiles of the villagers. Travel Tips • Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon offers the most beautiful lighting for photography. The terraces look magical under soft sunlight. • Footwear: Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes. Some areas can be slippery, especially if it has rained recently. • Weather: Bring a light jacket. Even if it’s warm at lower elevations, the mountain air can be quite cool. • Sun Protection: The UV rays at high altitude are strong. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen to protect your skin. • Respect Local Customs: Baishuitai holds cultural and religious significance for the Naxi people. Be respectful when visiting sacred areas. How to Get There Baishuitai is located in Sanba Township, between Lijiang and Shangri-La (Zhongdian). • From Lijiang: You can take a bus from Lijiang’s long-distance bus station toward Shangri-La and ask the driver to drop you off at Baishuitai. The journey takes about 3–4 hours. • From Shangri-La: Buses also run from Shangri-La to Baishuitai, taking about 2–3 hours. • Private Car or Tour: Hiring a car or joining a small group tour is a more convenient (though pricier) option, especially if you want to stop at scenic spots along the way.

Baishuitai (白水台, Baishuitai), also known as the "White Water Terraces," is located in Shangri-La but is more conveniently accessed from Lijiang. This unique destination left a deep impression on me with its stunning white limestone terraces that cascade down like steps to heaven or natural pools crafted by divine hands. Getting There: Traveling to Baishuitai from Lijiang takes some time (approximately 3-4 hours by private car or rental vehicle), but the scenic journey is well worth it. Along the way, you'll be treated to views of intricate mountain ranges, tribal villages, and pristine natural landscapes. First Impressions: Upon arriving at Baishuitai, the first thing that catches your eye is the pristine white of the limestone terraces, contrasting beautifully with the green trees and blue sky. It's a breathtaking and unique sight unlike anything I've seen before. The terraced layers create small, crystal-clear blue pools that resemble steps leading to paradise. Exploring the Area: Well-maintained pathways allow visitors to closely admire the beauty of Baishuitai. You can walk up the limestone steps, feel the cool water gently flowing, and take plenty of photos from various stunning angles. Some pools even have light green moss, adding a touch of vibrant color to the scenery. Surrounding Atmosphere: The atmosphere around Baishuitai is serene and natural. The air is fresh and invigorating, accompanied by the soft sounds of flowing water and rustling leaves. It's an ideal spot for relaxation and immersing yourself in the beauty of nature. Cultural Significance: Baishuitai holds cultural and spiritual importance for the local Naxi people. They believe it is a sacred place where deities reside. Visiting Baishuitai is not only a journey to admire its beauty but also an opportunity to pay respects and seek blessings.

🏨 Baishuitai A beautiful and little-known place. 🌟Highlights: A natural wonder formed over thousands of years, the white calcified pools are stacked layer upon layer, like a waterfall. In the sunlight, the clear water shimmers and shines, appearing blue or green. Known as the "Fields of the Immortals", this place is like a fairyland, and you'll be amazed by the wonders of nature. It's best to visit on a sunny morning or evening! 📍Address: Baishuitai is located between Shangri-La and Tiger Leaping Gorge, about 2 hours' drive from Shangri-La. The roads are good, so it's best to drive or carpool. 🚉Transport: Navigate to Baishuitai Scenic Area. There are several buses from Lijiang to Baishuitai every day. 💰Average cost: Tickets are CNY 30 per person. Entry closes at 16:30. 🅿️Parking is CNY 5 per time, no time limit. ⏳Time needed: About 2 hours. The route is circular, so you won't have to backtrack. Take photos of the beautiful scenery. 📝Tips: There are stairs in the scenic area, which take about 15–20 minutes to climb. You can ride a horse when you first enter the scenic area, but be sure to haggle (CNY 50 per person is possible) and confirm whether the horse will take you to the top of the mountain to avoid being charged extra halfway.

📍Detailed address: Blue Moon Valley Scenic Area is a scenic area at the eastern foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yulong County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. 👍Most Recommended: Blue Moon Lake – famous for its turquoise waters and stunning snow-capped mountain backdrop. (Although we didn’t reach the top of the highest snow mountain, I was lucky enough to see the true appearance of the snow mountain in Blue Moon Valley🏔️!) ❤Recommendation reason: Legend has it that Blue Moon Valley is a sapphire lost by heaven, which drifted to the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and became a pool of sentimental tears on this land. The Blue Moon Valley was formed when the eternal ice and snow of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain melted and flowed down the cliffs, continuously gathering into mountain streams and creeks, and finally formed a crystal clear river in the deep valley upstream. 🌟Highlights: 🌈Yuye Lake——The water is very clear, and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain not far away is reflected in the blue lake, like a beautiful landscape painting. 🌈Jingtan Lake - A very small scenic spot in Blue Moon Valley. It looks small and exquisite, but very quiet. The lake water here is particularly clear, just like the taste of "Jiuzhaigou Mirror Sea". 🌈Blue Moon Lake——surrounded by lush green trees, clear and emerald green. If you go there in summer, you can wander freely among the green shade and cool lake water and enjoy the "beauty" that summer brings. 🌈Tingtao Lake——The water level of the lake drops greatly, and the stream flows through it like a waterfall, making a "ding-dong" sound, just like the sound of a sheng or a piano, hence the name. 🚌Transportation within the scenic area: Blue Moon Valley - Get off at the second stop of the scenic area bus, "Shuiyue Pavilion", and stroll along the plank road. Along the way, you can see Tingtao Lake, Jingtan Lake, Blue Moon Lake, Yuye Lake, etc.

Baishuitai (or the White Water Terraces) are definitely one of my most memorable views of the year. The bright blue water, the naturally unique rock forms, and the gorgeous mountain backgrounds. The views here are truly unbelievable, making Baishuitai a Yunnan Province must visit! Here are a few tips if you’re planning a trip here too: When you get to the entrance you’re going to be surrounded by locals trying to sell you a 100 yuan horse ride to the top of the scenic area. I tried to say no but they were very insistent… and in the end I enjoyed the short ride! But if you’re definitely not interested, make sure you stick your ground, clearly say no, and keep walking!! Getting to Baishuitai was hard to figure out at first. But there’s a bus that goes from Shangri-La bus station to Baishuitai every morning, and then goes back in the afternoon (around 2pm for me). You can buy the first ticket in advance at the bus station, and then just pay through QR codes on the way back. But make sure that in the morning you ask the driver what time he will be driving back, because they won’t wait for you! #2024mapped