Well-located
on the altitude of 2380 metres,
The Baishui Water Terraces, or
literally translated from Chinese
“White Water Terraces”,
is the birthplace of the Dongba
culture for the Naxi minority
people. It situated in Sanba,
106 kilometres south of Shangri
La (Zhongdian) Old Town. |
Behind
its unique and breathtaking geological
phenomena, there is a story to
tell. It is said that the founder
of Dongba culture settled there
to spread his beliefs on his way
back from Tibet. Since then, people
regard the Baishui Water Terraces
as a shrine. Till now, every year
on 8th February (Chinese Lunar
calendar), the locals gather there
for the festival “er yue
ba”, literally translated
as “Eighth of February”,
which is believed the day of the
Dongba founder held his founding
ceremony. At that day the local
Naxi people sing, dance and slaughter
chickens for offering sacrifices
to the God of Mountain. Festival
ends with smearing the chicken
blood on the branches around Baishui
Water Terraces to show their esteems.
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