Baishuitai — "White Water Terraces" — is a wide cascade of mineral-deposit terraces, in some ways a smaller, cooler cousin of Pamukkale in Turkey. The calcium-rich spring water has built up bone-white limestone pools and step-faced waterfalls over the millennia; the colour is brilliant against the surrounding green hills.
The site is about 100 kilometres south of Shangri-La and 100 kilometres north of Lijiang, on the back road between the two towns. It is a full day-trip from either base. The road is winding and slow; a hired car or an organised tour is the practical option.