Zhaga Waterfalls

About two hours from Huanglong is Munigou Valley where there are plenty of travertine landscapes. One can hear the roar of the water long before it comes into sight. This is known as the Zhaga Waterfall, reputed as "The First Travertine Waterfall in the World".
The Zhaga Waterfall stretches for about 5 kilometers and features many trails and forests. Apart from the main waterfall, there are small waterfalls running through pines and firs, producing an effect of "water running through trees and trees growing in water". The Zhaga Waterfall is 93 meters high, 35 meters wide, and plummets at a speed of 23 meters per second. In the summer time, 2-5 cubic meters of water tumble over the edge every second. This particular waterfall is known as a travertine waterfall, which means that behind the rushing water is a crust of limestone that gradually grows calcium particle by calcium particle.
At the top of the waterfall is a lake and at the foot is a circular stone platform. Water drops from a high wall, splashing like a brilliant piece of jade . Getting up close to the waterfall will leave you drenched. Although the water is chilly, the breeze stirred by the downward force is both sweet and refreshing.

  Baishui Terrace Travertine Pond

Located in Zhongdian, Deqen, Yunnan Province, Baishui Terrace Travertine Pond is similar to ponds in Huanglong, although not as beautiful. The major difference lies in the color of the water. The waters at Huanglong ponds are colored, while those at Baishui pond are white. What, then, causes this difference?

A careful observation shows that many plants, such as azaleas and willows, grow alongside the colorful travertine ponds of Huanglong. The branches of these plants, which have long been immersed in the water and the algae and minerals in travertine on the plant roots or branches, combine to make the water appear to be blue, yellow and green in color. The beautiful waters of Huanglong are perfectly complimented by the snow-capped mountains and forests nearby. The Baishui Terrace Pond, however, does not feature as many plants nearby as Huanglong, and there are no forests around the Baishui terrace.