Lake Bitahai

» Shangri-la, Yun Nan

Lake Bitahai Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

As the highest lake in Yunnan Province, Bitahai Lake lies in the east of Shangri-La County of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and is over 3500 meters (about 3828 yards) above sea level. Covering an area of about 159 hectares (around 393 acres) with an average depth of 20 meters (about 22 yards), Bitahai Lake is famous for its limpid water and its beautiful scenery which is set against the mountains and forests surrounding it.

Beautiful legend of "Bitahai"

Bitahai Lake is widely recognized as 'A Pearl on the Plateau' and the most attractive lake in Shangri-La. Legend has it that a goddess dropped her mirror carelessly to the earth when she was making up. The mirror was broken into pieces and they became lakes on the plateau. Among these pieces, the most beautiful piece with green jade turned into today's Bitahai Lake.

Something surround "Bitahai"

Famed as pearl in the highlands, the lake is surrounded by wooded mountains and resembles a beryl inlaid among them. The surrounding mountains are densely scattered with azaleas, and each year in late spring and early summer, when the flowers are in full bloom, the hillsides seem to be dyed red, echoing harmoniously with the clear waters in the lake.

Getting around

Islet in "Bitahai"

In the center of the lake stands an islet shaped like a boat sailing in the lake. The islet is 30 meters (about 33 yards) above the water level, and is covered with rare plants and also includes spruces and rhododendrons. Here, birds twitter happily and flowers release their pleasant fragrances. When stepping on the islet, one feels as if they are arriving at Xanadu, and tourists have frequently remarked about how they have felt intoxicated by the aura, beauty and tranquility.

Animals and wild plant

The Bitahai Lake Nature Reserve is in the subtropical zone. It is rich in wild animals and plants. The vegetation is characterized by abies fabri, totaling 2.23 million cubic meters. Among the rare animals and birds, clouded leopards, black necked cranes, red green-tailed pheasants are Class-A species under state protection, and rhesus monkeys, lynxes serows, red pheasants, Tibetan eared pheasants are Class-B species under state protection. There are also some economic and fancy animals such as black bears, brown bears, Tibetan pikas, parrots and Carrulax canoruses.

Fish in Bitahai

Bitahai Lake's fish are as abundant as its natural beauty. Rowing a boat on the lake, one can see shoals of precious "Bitahai Double-Lip Fish" - an ancient species left over from the Fourth Glacial Age - swimming back and forth about 10 meters beneath the surface. The small streams beside the lake are home to amphibious "Codfish," which produce a valuable medicine.

Every year around June and July, when azalea blooms cover the mountains, the wind blows the petals into the lake. When passing fish eat these rhododendron petals (which are slightly poisonous) they can be seen on their backs with their white bellies exposed as they float upside-down amongst the petals as if they are drunk. Now it has been an enchanting sight visitors couldn't miss, and be known as "Fish Drunk on Azalea's Petals.

Other wildlife

Around Bitahai Lake are vast meadows and deep forests - ideal habitat for rare animals including red-footed pheasant, silver pheasant, wild bull, leopard and lynx.

Plant

There are dense forests of pines and oaks roamed by more than 20 species of rare animals. Every April when the snow begins to melt, wildflowers bloom profusely in the meadows. The glorious colors shine like twinkling stars in a sky of fresh green grass.

Fascinating in May

In May every year an azalea forest on the lakeshore is in full blossom, stretching several kilometers. The scenery is fascinating.

Charming scene

Local Tibetans pitch their tents in the pastureland and their loyal dogs round up any of the animals who try to stray. In the night, when the day draws to a close, a bright full moon arises above the eastern mountains and over the tops of the trees. From the small cottage of the forest ranger comes the sound of joyous singing and dancing.

Local experience

The tourists are required to ride 22 km from Zhongdian County to Shuangqiao and then to walk or ride on horse back and fro for 8 Li respectively . In this way they can feel the local people's enthusiasm, or recall the feelings of the Red Army soldiers when they marched across the grassland.

When to visit

Recommended time for a visit: Two hours

Attractions around » Shangri-la, Yun Nan

Natural Scene

• Shangri-la
• Meili Snow Mountain
• Lake Bitahai
• Lake Shuduhu
• Lake Napahai
• Baishui Tableland

Historical Site

• Songzanlin Temple

Lake Bitahai Highlights

Lake & Spring in Great China

• West Lake
• Lake Kanas
• Lake Namtso
• Lake Qinghaihu
• Lake Yamdrok
• Huaqing Pool
• Crescent Spring
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Lake Taihu
• Slender West Lake
• Lake Hongfenghu
• Lake Dianchi
• Lake Luguhu
• Heavenly Lake
• Butterfly Spring
• Lake Erhai
• Longsheng Hot Spring National Park
• Lake Bitahai
• Lake Shuduhu
• Lake Napahai
• Red Carp Pond
• Hupao Spring
• Black Dragon Pool
• Lake Karakuli
• Tianhe Pool
• Lake Dongtinghu
• Baotu Spring
• Lake Daminghu
• Yuquan Park
• Lake Bosten
• East Lake Scenic Area

Lake Bitahai FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When to go
2. Changeable weather

  Food

1. Tibetan drinking custom: do as the Tibentan does
2. Useful butter tea custom info

  Other Hints

1. Are there any tips for me to know when traveling on altitude place?
2. How is the telecommunication there?
3. Can I get online there?
4. How to bring back the Tibetan knife I bought?
5. Useful Numbers:
6. Emergency Numbers:

• When to go

  Spring and summer are the best seasons to visit Shangri-la when temperatures are moderate. The scenery is also gorgeous during these periods, with flowers blossoming and wildlife thriving in this pretty area.

  Autumn in Diqing Plateau is also spectacular. 10 days after the Mid Autumn Festival, the leaves fall form the teas and the area takes on a picture postcard appearance.

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• Changeable weather

  Bear in mind however, that Shangri-la is very high, and temperatures can change fast here. It is not unusual too, to see some snow fall in the autumn months. What's more, the temperature can vary greatly within the space of one day. Visitors to this region should come prepared- packing a variety of clothes and shoes. As usual in China- always carry your umbrella!

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• Are there any tips for me to know when traveling on altitude place?

  
  After arriving in Shangri-La, you may have altitude stress: shortness of breath, chest tightness and dreaminess. At this moment, do not do strenuous exercise or drink alcohol; have a good rest and keep warm, and you will be fine.

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• Tibetan drinking custom: do as the Tibentan does

  Before you drink a toast proposed by Tibetans, you should moisten your index fingers with the liquor, flick this finger three times, and then say Zha-xi-de-le'. ('Zha-xi-de-le' means 'as lucky as one's wishes' in Tibetan.) According to the Tibetan customs, you should sip three times and the host will refill your cup three times. After that, you ought to drink up. If you really can not stand much liquor, you can tell the host politely.

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• Useful butter tea custom info

  In a Tibetan family, there is an order to the drinking of butter tea. The elders, parents, guests and the persons they pay respect to will drink first; then, the host himself and lastly the younger people. The host will add the butter tea into your cup from time to time. So, if you have drunk enough, you should use your palm to cover the cup mouth and the host will understand. When you leave the family, you should leave a little buttered tea in your cup, which signals for your respect to the host.

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• How is the telecommunication there?

  China Mobile Communications Corporation is in the process of making the communication net cover the whole county. Now, the mobile phones can be used in most areas of Shangri-La. The signal strength may be very poor sometimes, especially in the mountains or in a gorge.

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• Can I get online there?

  Usually in your hotel, there will be internet service; but if not, you can find internet bars on Changzhen Road, and there you can go to post office to get online. It charges 4 RMB an hour in the post office.

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• How to bring back the Tibetan knife I bought?

  The Tibetan knife with not be allowed through customs at the airport however it can be taken to the train and sent by post.

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• Useful Numbers:

  • Diqing Shangri-La Airport Inquiry: 0887-8229901
    
  • Tourist Complaint: 0887-8225390

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• Emergency Numbers:

  • Fire: 119
    
  • Ambulance: 120
    
  • Police: 110
    
  • Traffic: 122
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