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Why the
Baishui Terrace
is special
Terraces like those of Baishui are one of nature's most remarkable creations.
The formations vaguely resemble a frozen cascading series of short waterfalls -
and the wet terrace walls have a white jade like glow. The half circular pools
of water that fill the shallow basins behind the terrace walls lend a serene
visual touch (see photo).
Baishui Terrace
insights
 The
terraces gradually formed over hundreds of
thousands of years. Running spring water rich in
bicarbonate calcium left behind the calcium
sediment that built the terrace walls and basins
molecule by molecule.
Calcium
is white, but the terraces of Baishui are creamy white and
sometimes streaked yellowish brown. Reason: The flowing
spring water deposited other dissolved minerals
besides the calcium.
Dimensions:
The Baishui Terrace runs 130 meters (430 feet) down
its mountain slope and extends some 150 meters (500 feet)
at its broadest point.
Baishui Terrace
tidbits
The
name "Baishui Terrace" is a misnomer.
Many terraces compose this natural wonder (see photo).
Baishui Terrace is
2400 meters (7900 feet) above sea level.
The
world's other outstanding calcium terrace
formation is Pamukkale in Turkey. It is similar
in appearance to Baishui Terrace, though its
overall hue is more pristine white. Both
formations are Hillman Wonders.
Tips for
your vacation
tour or trip
Wear shoes
with good traction when walking over the terraces
- they can be slippery wet.
Some
travelers plan their visit to the Baishui Terrace
when the nearby Naxi ethnic villages holds its
annual folkloric festival featuring traditional
dances and songs. It occurs on the 8th day of the second lunar month
(which occurs in February 90% of the time).
Nearest
major cities
The Baishui Terrace is about 100 kilometers (60 miles)
from Zhongdian city, which is some 700 kilometers
(420 miles) northwest of Kunming,
the capital of Yunnan province.
Pronunciation guide
Baishui: bye-shew'ee
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