Live Your Best Lives
Lugu Lake, a beautiful and pure lake at the junction of Yunnan and Sichuan, is like a huge flawless white pearl inlaid in the southwest of the motherland. It is picturesque and charming. The 5,000 acres of grassland is an emerald inlaid on the east side of Lugu Lake. In summer, the lake is full of blooming water lilies, which is beautiful and romantic. It is also a place that many people miss.
Have you ever seen a video like this on your WeChat Moments or other major video platforms? Clusters of pure white, crystal-clear flowers undulate on the surface of a deep blue lake. Looking into the distance, you can see the mountains as dark as ink and boats going back and forth. This is an aquatic plant called "Odoraceus undulatus." However, its most popular name is another interesting name: water lily. You can't see its roots, but it grows in water, especially in Lugu Lake, where it is concentrated. And only in this season can you see its beauty. Water lily blooms from the end of June to mid-September, with the peak bloom in summer.
Summer is the peak tourist season. In the summer when the temperature can easily exceed 35℃, the highest temperature in Lugu Lake is only 27-28℃. The temperature in the morning and evening is only around 10℃, so you still need to wear a coat.
Lugu Lake is divided between Yunnan and Sichuan, with separate ticket offices in each province (both priced at 70 yuan). Yunnan lies to the southwest of the lake, and the roads along the lake are mostly hilly, with the Daluo River serving as a major gathering point for travelers. Sichuan lies to the northeast, with its flat shores dominated by the Grass Sea and the Walking Marriage Bridge as key attractions.
Daluoshui is the first stop for most people entering Lugu Lake from Yunnan and is also the busiest gathering point. At the intersection in the center of the village is the Daluoshui Visitor Center, offering tourist information. About 100 meters west of the intersection is the Mosuo Cultural Museum, featuring a folk exhibition hall and a restored grandmother's house. About 150 meters east of the intersection is the bonfire party.
Lige Peninsula is located on the north side of Lugu Lake, surrounded by water on three sides, east, west and south. To the north, it is connected to the land by a small road only 2 meters wide. Lige Peninsula is part of Lige Village and is the closest place to the lake in Lige Village.
The most captivating attraction is the observation deck next to the mountaintop highway, which offers panoramic views of the entire Rig Peninsula, including Camel Peak, Lake Heart Island, and Bird Island in the distance. Many colorful tour boats are moored on the lakeside outside the inn, offering visitors opportunities to watch the sunrise and sunset, and to hike up Camel Island for sightseeing.
Lige is the most beautiful spot in Lugu Lake and a favorite among photographers. Besides gazing at the elegant Lige Peninsula from the observation deck, the central performance of Lige Village features the Flower House Love Song, a performance showcasing the Mosuo people's walking marriage culture through song and dance.
There are also bonfire parties at night. At Rig Pier, there are pig trough boats that travel to and from Siwa'e Island, Liwubi Island and Nisei Island, and you can also take a trip around the Rig Peninsula.
Nise Village is a Mosuo village on the shores of Lugu Lake. Small, with only a dozen households, it's tranquil and offers breathtaking scenery. In the early morning, the sun rises across the lake, gradually illuminating the world and enchanting the view. Nise is a small village on Lugu Lake, with few inns and few tourists, giving it a unique tranquility. The famous Lover's Tree is located in Nise Village. Nise is particularly beautiful in the early morning, with mist shrouding the lake, the rising sun casting a shadow on the tree, lonely boats bobbing, and the scattered inns offering a tranquil and beautiful scene. A stroll along the river is also quite relaxing!
Gemu Goddess Mountain, also known as Lion Mountain, is a sacred mountain of the Mosuo people near Lugu Lake. At 3,754.7 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak surrounding the lake. It is located in Xiaoluoshui Village, Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. Every year on the 25th day of the seventh lunar month, the Mosuo people celebrate the Mountain Circumambulation Festival, during which they worship and hold grand ceremonies. If you're in Lugu Lake during this time, don't miss it!
However, Lion Mountain is also worth a visit on weekdays. Climbing Lion Mountain, you may see the panoramic view of Lugu Lake, and you will feel how magnificent the scenery is. You can also enjoy the karst caves on the mountain.
If your physical condition allows, it is recommended that you take the stairs when going up the mountain, because you can enjoy the scenery along the way, and when you successfully reach the viewing platform on the mountain, you will have a full sense of accomplishment; of course, you can take the cable car when going down the mountain, so that you will feel extremely excited, and you can also take a panoramic view of Lugu Lake!
The Walking Marriage Bridge, located on the east side of Lugu Lake, spans a reed-filled sea. Approximately 300 meters long, it is a renowned landmark surrounding the lake. Located southeast of the lake, the sea is shallow due to years of siltation, resulting in dense reeds. Approximately 7,000 meters long and averaging 800 meters wide, it covers an area of over 9,000 mu (approximately 1,000 acres) and is administered by Zuosuo Township, Yanyuan County, Sichuan Province. Because the Mosuo people of Lugu Lake practice walking marriage, the custom of "men not marrying, women not marrying" has been established. During these marriages, men cross the Walking Marriage Bridge to reach the bride's home, earning it the nickname "First Magpie Bridge."
When you come to Lugu Lake, of course you have to visit the Mosuo people to see their architecture and folk customs. At this time, you can go into the "Mosuo House" to learn more.
Mosuo dwellings are constructed using locally available materials, using logs stacked horizontally as walls to create courtyard-style dwellings. These well-built structures, also known as wooden slatted houses, offer excellent insulation from cold and heat, reflecting an ecological philosophy of adapting to nature. We can also see that because the Mosuo retain the basic structure of a matrilineal extended family, they have also built a complete courtyard for their Mosuo families.
Goddess Bay is the most beautiful bay around Lugu Lake. Located on the west shore of the lake, facing the Gemu Goddess Mountain, it is a quiet little harbor. The clear waters, the neatly arranged boats, the sparkling waves, and the surrounding green mountains are a breathtaking sight!
Many people visit Lugu Lake to watch the sunset at Zhaojiawan (Goddess Bay). This quiet bay is also called Goddess Bay because it faces the Gemu Goddess Mountain.
Xiaoluoshui is the last village on the shores of Lugu Lake in Yunnan Province, with the border between Yunnan and Sichuan right at its entrance. The village's ancient residential buildings and pristine Mosuo customs remain intact. In the mornings, the lake is shrouded in mist, and smoke curls up from cooking fires. Xiaoluoshui is tranquil, and the hardworking Mosuo people rise early to work. This place, home to many local residents, is even more charming!
You must take the pig trough boat to visit the inn. The pig trough boat was once the only means of transportation in Lugu Lake. It is made of a thick round wood with two pointed ends, and it got its name from its shape like a long pig trough. In Lugu Lake, you will see colorful boats, like a branch floating on the mirror-like lake surface, slowly shuttling back and forth.
There are many docks here, and there are pig trough boats everywhere to take a seat. The boatman steers the boat, and you sit on this small boat that sways back and forth. The clear and transparent ripples spread out layer by layer under your feet, fish sway at the bottom of the boat, and birds fly over your head. The sparse paddling sounds and the sweet rippling in the air make people linger.
You can board a boat at Daluoshui or Sanjiacun docks and row to Liwubi Island; board a boat at Lige dock and row to Shangshe Island or Lige Peninsula; board a boat at Dazu dock and row to Dazui Island; board a boat at Nice dock and row to Bird Island... There are pig trough boats available at almost every dock at Lugu Lake.
Lakeside Circumnavigation (Type 1): Commercial Vehicle Circumnavigation
This mode of travel is relatively easy and is very suitable for families with elderly and children. If you choose to charter a car around the lake, the driver will hope to circle the lake several times a day to make more money. He may take you around the lake in 3 hours and will not take you to find interesting spots. He will only stop at three or four spots for you to take pictures. This method is really boring.
Lakeside Cycling (Part 2): Cycling Around the Lake
The circumference of Lugu Lake is 52km, and you can actually complete the circle in 5-6 hours by cycling. However, the road around Lugu Lake is not flat all the way, with many uphill slopes, which is very tiring. It is more suitable for young people with good physical strength. But you must also pay attention to safety. There are many dangerous mountain roads in Lugu Lake, so you must be extra careful when it rains.
The ultimate trick around the lake: "4+2" around the lake
So, what exactly is this ultimate "4+2" strategy for cycling around the lake? Simply put, it's a four-wheeled commercial vehicle plus a two-wheeled bicycle. A rack is installed on the roof of the commercial vehicle to hold the bicycles. For long, unsuitable sections of road, the bikes are placed on the roof. When encountering beautiful scenery or a pleasant ride, the bikes are removed and cycled.
Lugu Lake's bonfire parties are a popular event. At night, visitors can enjoy delicious food and music by the lake, dancing and singing with the locals. In the warmth of the bonfire, you can share your travel experiences with friends or loved ones, creating an unforgettable evening.
Accommodation in Lugu Lake Town is scattered across villages along the lake and along the highway. The options range from youth hostels to private rooms and lake-view rooms. For a quieter stay or a longer stay to experience the local culture, consider staying in places like Nise, Xiaoluoshui, Dazui, and Luowa Caohai. Most hotels offer standard rooms, while some family-run hotels offer standard rooms with beds.
Daluoshui was the first village to be developed, so it has a strong reception capacity, fierce competition, and more reasonable prices. It has convenient transportation and a full range of tourist service facilities, but it also has a lot of tour groups, which can make it a bit noisy.
Most hotels have standard rooms, while some family hotels have standard rooms and beds. However, boutique hotels are beginning to emerge, offering unique and stylish accommodations.
Nisai is located at the foot of Mount Gemu, a quiet and sparsely populated area. It's also home to the famous Lover's Tree. In addition to the aforementioned areas, you can also find accommodations around Lige Island, Xiaoluoshui, and Caohai.
If you want to go to Lugu Lake, you can take the following ways:
From major cities in China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc., you can take a flight to Kunming or Lijiang, and then take another flight or bus directly to Lugu Lake.
You can take a bus from Kunming or Lijiang to Lugu Lake, which takes about 10-12 hours. You can also take a bus from other cities such as Chengdu and Chongqing.
If you have a car, you can start from Kunming or Lijiang and go to Lugu Lake along National Highway 318. The journey is long and you need to pay attention to safety, but you can enjoy beautiful scenery along the way.
Renting or chartering a car to Lugu Lake in Kunming or Lijiang allows for more freedom in exploring the local beauty and culture. However, since Lugu Lake is located on a high plateau at an altitude, it's recommended to undergo a pre-departure medical examination and take appropriate preventative measures for altitude sickness, such as drinking plenty of water and exercising regularly. Also, be mindful of safety during your trip, adhere to local regulations and customs, and protect the local environment and culture.
Pork fat holds a prominent place in the traditional cuisine of the Mosuo people. After slaughtering a pig, the pig's viscera are removed, and the bones are removed through the incision. The pig is then smeared with salt and Sichuan peppercorns, and the incision is sutured to preserve the integrity of the pig. The pork fat is then pressed into a pipa-shaped shape, which allows it to remain rotten for years. Fatty yet not greasy, pork fat is a staple of the Mosuo cuisine.
Tuotuo meat is a traditional delicacy of Liangshan. Called "wuse se jiao" in the Yi language, it means "lumps of pork." The name comes from the fact that each piece of meat weighs around 20 to 30 taels and is shaped like a "lump," hence the name. Tuotuo meat is a symbol of the highest courtesy of the Yi people when entertaining guests and is a must-have for festivals and picnics. It's served with pickled sauerkraut soup, and the meat is delicious and fatty without being greasy.
Steamed fish in a stone pot is a must-try on any trip to Lugu Lake! Its delicious flavor lies in the freshness of the fish and the sweetness of the water, creating a sweet, delicious, and refreshing fish broth. Take a sip of the milky white broth and a bite of the tender fish, and your mouth will be filled with the authentic sweetness of the original flavor.
Stewed chicken with matsutake mushrooms is one of Lugu Lake's most distinctive dishes. The matsutake mushrooms are wild, harvested from the wild. They are slightly white in color, have a pleasant texture, a rich aroma, and are highly nutritious. Cooking matsutake and free-range chicken into a soup is not only delicious but also incredibly nourishing, strengthening the kidneys and invigorating the stomach. It's a must-try warming and tonic soup for any visit to Lugu Lake.
Lugu Lake's peppery chicken is unlike any other dish in the region. Its flavorful, salty, and tender texture is refreshing and delicious. The main ingredients are high-altitude chickens, also known as Lugu Lake pheasants. They are first boiled and the blood is drained. Once cooked, they are garnished with chili powder, mountain spring water, and various seasonings to create a broth that is both colorful and fragrant.
Take a bus from Lijiang in the morning and arrive at Lugu Lake at noon. Then go clockwise to the Lige area west of Lugu Lake for sightseeing. Because the light is favorable here in the afternoon, it is easy to take photos. Then go to Lover's Beach or Goddess Bay in Sichuan to watch the sunset. Choose an accommodation where it is convenient to watch the sunrise the next day. Remember to wear more clothes.
The next morning we watched the sunrise, then went to visit the Caohai area and started our return journey after noon.
Depart from Lijiang in the morning and arrive at Lugu Lake at noon. You can circle the lake clockwise to the Lige Observation Deck. Find accommodations based on your preferences, making it convenient for watching the sunrise on Day 2. If you're not too particular about the sunrise, you can also stay near the Daluo River. Wander around the area to learn about the local culture and characteristics.
The next morning, after watching the sunrise near the Rige Observation Deck, you can climb up the Gemu Goddess Mountain to see the panoramic view of Lugu Lake or take a pig trough boat tour on the lake. In the evening, watch the sunset near Sichuan Lover's Beach or Goddess Bay.
On the third day, we will explore the area around Caohai Lake and return to Lijiang after lunch.
Mid-to-late October to late February: -2°C to 18°C. Long sleeves, down jackets, and long pants are recommended during the day. The temperature can drop below zero at night, so it's recommended to stay in the guesthouse and avoid going out. If you do go out, wear autumn clothes and long trousers to prevent colds.
From the end of February to the middle of May, the temperature is 5℃-25℃. It is recommended to bring long sleeves, down jackets, long pants, short sleeves, and jackets. This period is quite awkward. It is recommended to wear clothes when it is cold and take them off when it is hot. Be careful of catching a cold.
Mid-May to mid-to-late October, 11℃-25℃, wear short sleeves and a jacket during the day; add a fleece jacket in the morning and evening;
June, July and August are rainy, so it is recommended to bring more rainy season items. *The suggestion is for reference only. Everyone's body temperature is different. If you are afraid of cold, add more clothes.
1. Although Lugu Lake is shared by Sichuan and Yunnan, the jurisdiction belongs to Yunnan
The best time to visit is March to May in spring, followed by August to November. June to August is when beautiful water lilies adorn the lake surface, and I personally think this is when Lugu Lake is at its most beautiful. In October, gesang flowers bloom across the mountains. June to September is the rainy season for Lugu Lake, making landslides more likely, so please be careful.
3. Located in the plateau, the ultraviolet rays are strong and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Please pay attention to sun protection, cold protection, warmth and altitude sickness.
4. The entire lake area is convenient for food, accommodation, and transportation. When booking a room online, read the reviews carefully. If you have more money, stay in a lakeside room or a high-end room. Daluoshui is the first stop for entering Lugu Lake from Lijiang. Food and accommodation are concentrated here, and transportation is convenient.
5. Pig trough boats are available at almost every dock along the lake. The boats that can reach the islands include: Liwubi Island, Bird Island, Princess Island and the Dear Inn shooting location. There are many routes to each dock and the prices vary. When taking pictures, pay attention to the relationship between light and time. The boat trip to the island is based on personal preference.
6. There are Mosuo bonfire parties on the Rige Peninsula and Daluo River, which you can participate in.
7. Siberian gulls can be fed with bread from December to March.
8. Whether to circle Lugu Lake clockwise or counterclockwise depends on the light. You must take photos with the right light. In the morning, there is right light in the Caohai and Goddess Bay areas, and in the afternoon, there is a line of right light. This will determine when you want to circle the lake and where to stay. Friends who have limited time and only want to visit Lijiang for two days can circle the lake clockwise after arriving at Lugu Lake in the afternoon of the first day. Friends who have more time can watch the sunrise first and then slowly play around to the Goddess Bay area to watch the sunset.
9. When you arrive at a place, be mindful of your words and actions and respect the local culture.
10. The lake-circling bus costs 60 yuan per person and is valid for two days. There are four bus trips per day in peak season, each lasting 5 hours. The starting point is the Friendship Bridge on the east side of the lake, with departures at 8:00, 10:00, 12:30, and 14:30 respectively. There are two bus trips in off-season, at 8:30 and 14:00 respectively. Stops are at Sanjia Village, Daluoshui Passenger Terminal, Yunnan Lover's Beach, Lige Observation Deck, Nise Cableway Station, the Mosuo Bronze Statue of Xiaoluoshui, Luyuanya Water Outlet, Sichuan Lover's Beach, Lugu Lake Town (for lunch), Caohai Wuzhiluo Wharf, Luowa Wharf (Princess Island), Walking Marriage Bridge North (Lama Temple), Walking Marriage Bridge South, and Friendship Bridge.
