Travel Guide to Baishuitai, Shangri-La

Best time to visit The best time to visit Baishuitai is from May to October, when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful. Transportation • By air: You can take a flight from Kunming, Chengdu, or Lhasa to Shangri-La. • By car: You can take a direct bus from Kunming West Bus Station to Shangri-La, which takes about 12 hours. From Shangri-La to Baishuitai, you can drive or take a local bus, which takes about 3 hours. • By public transport: There are two buses from Shangri-La Bus Station to Baishuitai every day, which cost about CNY 26 and take about 4 hours. Highlights The biggest highlight of Baishuitai is its unique geological landscape. The entire scenic area is mainly composed of three terraces, which are formed by calcium carbonate deposits. The terraces are white as jade and have different shapes, like a fairyland. In addition, Baishuitai is the birthplace of many ethnic groups, such as the Naxi and Tibetan people, and has a rich ethnic culture. Travel tips • It takes about 20 minutes to climb the stairs to the top of Baishuitai. If you don't want to climb, you can ride a horse to the top, but you still need to walk to the top. • The route up and down the mountain is a loop, so you don't need to return the same way. There is a viewing platform on the way up the mountain, where you can see the whole view of Baishuitai. • It is recommended to spend 3 to 4 hours to enjoy this masterpiece of nature. • It is recommended to wear brightly colored clothes when taking photos, which will form a sharp contrast with the white terraces and make the photos more beautiful. Food recommendations Diqing has a rich variety of food, among which Tibetan zanba, butter tea, and Naxi grilled fish are the most distinctive. When you come to Baishuitai, you might as well try the local food and experience the strong Tibetan flavor. Notes • Baishuitai is located at a high altitude, so it is recommended that people with a history of altitude sickness prepare relevant medicine in advance. • Respect local religious and cultural customs, do not litter, and protect the environment. • It is recommended to bring a drone for aerial photography. The terraced landscape of Baishuitai will be more spectacular from the air. I hope this guide will help you plan your trip to Baishuitai, Shangri-La.