Báishuǐtái

Yunnan

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Baishuitai is a series of limestone travertines around 108km southeast of Shangri-la, with some breathtaking scenery and Tibetan villages en route. For good reason it has become the most popular back-door route between Lijiang and Shangri-la. The terraces – think of those in Pamukkale in Turkey or Huanglong in Sichuan – are lovely, but keep in mind it's a long trip for a small site.

A couple of guesthouses in the village have rooms from ¥50. From Shangri-la there is one daily bus to Baishuitai at 9.40am (¥24, three hours), or several buses per week from Lijiang (¥60, four hours) which also pick up from Tiger Leaping Gorge and Haba guesthouses along the way.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Guishan Buddhist Temple

    Guishan Buddhist Temple

    29.75 MILES

    Atop 'Great Turtle Hill' in the heart of the old town, this modern temple stands on the site of an original 1667 construction consecrated to a replica of…

  • Shangri-la Thangka Academy

    Shangri-la Thangka Academy

    29.7 MILES

    Thangka master Lobsang Khudup trains young students in painting and Buddhist philosophy here. Even if you're not in the market to buy, it's worth stopping…

  • Viewpoint

    Viewpoint

    19.6 MILES

    Vantage point over Tiger Leaping Gorge.

  • Pudacuo National Park

    Pudacuo National Park

    28.55 MILES

    China's first national park, this collection of small mountain lakes is about 25km east of Shangri-la. From the visitor centre, a 20-minute bus ride drops…

  • Gyalthang Ringha Monastery

    Gyalthang Ringha Monastery

    24.55 MILES

    One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Yunnan, local monks claim this small hilltop temple in a walled forest reserve is at least 500 years old and perhaps…

  • Bǎijī Sì

    Bǎijī Sì

    29.9 MILES

    For the best views over Shangri-la, head to this delightfully named and little-visited temple. The temple has a couple of monks inside and a handful of…

  • Zhuǎnjīng Tǒng

    Zhuǎnjīng Tǒng

    29.77 MILES

    This huge prayer wheel just beside Guishan Temple stands at 21m high and contains 100,000 small prayer wheels. At least six people are needed to make it…

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Nearby Yunnan attractions

2. Tiger Leaping Gorge

18.54 MILES

Scenic spot where a tiger is said to have leaped across the river, thus giving the gorge its name.

3. Viewpoint

19.6 MILES

Vantage point over Tiger Leaping Gorge.

4. Gyalthang Ringha Monastery

24.55 MILES

One of the oldest Buddhist temples in Yunnan, local monks claim this small hilltop temple in a walled forest reserve is at least 500 years old and perhaps…

5. Pudacuo National Park

28.55 MILES

China's first national park, this collection of small mountain lakes is about 25km east of Shangri-la. From the visitor centre, a 20-minute bus ride drops…

7. Shangri-la Thangka Academy

29.7 MILES

Thangka master Lobsang Khudup trains young students in painting and Buddhist philosophy here. Even if you're not in the market to buy, it's worth stopping…

8. Guishan Buddhist Temple

29.75 MILES

Atop 'Great Turtle Hill' in the heart of the old town, this modern temple stands on the site of an original 1667 construction consecrated to a replica of…