The White Water River And The Black Water River

The White Water River And The Black Water River

The White Water River (Bai Shui He) is 25 kilometers to the north
of Lijiang Old Town. Flowing eastwards, it’s formed by the runoff
from the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Its water is extremely clean
because it is filtrated and purified by gravels and stones when
running, and hasn’t been polluted at all. The riverbed, formed by
 pieces of grayish-white sedimentary rocks, can be seen clearly
 through the pellucid water thus the name “White Water River”.

The Black Water River (Hei Shui He) is 4 kilometers from the White
 Water River. It derives its name as the White Water River does and
 joins its counterpart when running to the low streams. In the book
 named Dongba Jing (Dongba Sutra), “black” and “white” created
 the world. The congruity of black and white indicates, for the Naxi
 People, the harmony in the world. Therefore, the joining of the two
 rivers means harmony and unity.