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It would truly be a great mistake if you visit Shangrila and miss the Bitahai natural reserve, a legendary land of the Yi people. Bitahai, in Tibetan, means land as soft as hair, a precious gem that turns the entire region into a dreamlike fairyland. Situated at an altitude of 3,539m, Bitahai Lake is the highest freshwater lake in Yunnan, China.
Exploring the Fairytale Beauty atop the High Mountains of Bitahai
A Glimpse of Bitahai
Bitahai Nature Reserve is located approximately 30km northwest of Shangrila city, covering an area of 159 hectares. Surrounded by snowy mountains, lush green meadows, and vast natural forests of Potaso National Park.
The picturesque meadows surrounding Bitahai - Illustrative image
Bitahai is known as an affordable tourist destination with its vast freshwater lake, Bitahai Lake, with its crystal-clear waters reflecting the sky. In late spring and early summer, when the rhododendron flowers, a typical highland flower, bloom abundantly, embellishing the fairy-tale beauty of Bitahai. Besides rhododendrons, there are also numerous azalea flowers falling onto the water surface as bait for the fish.
And as the weather transitions into autumn, the scenery here becomes equally stunning. The forests around the lake change from green to vibrant red, and the transparent lake water resembles glass. Every early morning when visiting Bitahai Lake during a trip to China, tourists will experience the temperature dropping significantly, and the grass in the reserve seems to be covered with a thin layer of glistening ice in the morning sun.
The fairytale-like beauty of the high mountains of Bitahai - Illustrative image
As the sun rises, the high humidity causes the water to evaporate, forming thin clouds drifting above the ground. From afar, the dark lake surface floats amidst the clouds, and soon the golden meadows gradually appear under the vast blue sky. The yaks now resemble graceful dots on the meadow.
Dreamy scenery found only at Bitahai
The closer you get to the lake, the more enchanting the scenery becomes, with pine and larch trees found only in cold regions covered in a peculiar moss described in guidebooks as unique to this reserve. The moss looks like strands of dark silk draped over the leaves, swaying delicately in the wind. The scene at Bitahai at this moment will make foreign tourists envision the beauty of the fairytale forests they heard about in childhood stories.
Vast grasslands and the unkempt yak herd grazing - Illustrative image
Bitahai, wild and enchanting like a real fairyland. The sun sparkles on the shimmering and mystical lake surface. The rustling trees and glistening leaves seem to beckon to travelers. Sitting on a boat on Bitahai Lake is undoubtedly the clearest experience, as amidst the lake, tourists can admire the expansive grasslands, forests, wooden pathways along the water, charming little resting stops... All harmoniously creating a magnificent natural painting in this remote plateau.
Tags of wishes hung on the bridges leading to the water lake - Illustrative image
Furthermore, when the sunlight becomes more radiant at noon, Bitahai tourism reveals another equally beautiful image. The lake surface at this time is devoid of mist, and the water is gradually turning emerald green, while above, the faint white clouds reflect in the water. According to the legends of the people living around the lake, in ancient times, when a goddess was putting on makeup, she accidentally dropped her mirror to the mortal world. The shattered mirror turned into many pieces, transforming into many water lakes in this land, among which the most beautiful piece turned into Bitahai Lake today.
The water in Bitahai Lake changes color at noon - Illustrative image
In Bitahai, there are no commercial centers, no extravagant entertainment venues, no thrilling rides, and even convenience stores are limited. However, everyone who has been here is impressed by what exists, from marveling at the scenery gradually unfolding while sitting on the bus, walking on the bridge leading to the blue lake, immersing in the wind and clouds on a swaying boat on the lake, to silently standing before nature unable to utter a word...
