When the willow catkins bloom, I ventured into the Kingdom of Women

Lugu Lake straddles the border between Ninglang County in Lijiang, Yunnan, and Yanyuan County in Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan. This plateau lake, at an altitude of 2,685 meters, is the only place in China where the matriarchal Mosuo society still exists.

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🚌 Transportation Recommendations
▪️ Most convenient: Fly from Lijiang/Kunming to Ninglang Lugu Lake Airport, then take the airport shuttle bus directly to the lake area (30 minutes)
▪️ Classic route: Carpool or take a bus from Lijiang Old Town (4 hours on winding mountain roads, not recommended for those prone to motion sickness!)
▪️ Around the lake: Rent a car (300-500 RMB/day) or an electric scooter (80 RMB/day, strong UV rays require full protection!)

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🏨 Accommodation Recommendations
✅ Popular lake view room: Qieman·Ruying Song Banshan Hotel in Langfang Village — 270° glass room to watch the starry sky and lake surface, perfect for photos
✅ Mosuo cultural experience: Cidihua Kai Inn in Daloushui Village — run by Mosuo grandmothers, join the evening Jia Cuo dance together
✅ Best value: Lige Peninsula Youth Hostel — around 100 RMB per person, a gathering place for young people, very convenient for boat tours on the lake

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🍜 Food Recommendations

Mosuo + Yi ethnic flavors that explode on your taste buds!
1️⃣ Steamed stone pot fish: freshly caught lake fish, grass carp + wild mushroom creamy soup that’s incredibly fresh
2️⃣ Mosuo Baba: buckwheat cake fried in lard, dipped in honey, irresistible
3️⃣ Roast suckling pig: Yi ethnic specialty, crispy skin and tender meat served with chili powder (a must-try at Lige Village night market)
4️⃣ Sulima wine: low-alcohol rice wine of the Mosuo people, sweet and sour, loved by girls

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✨ Real Experience

Breathtakingly beautiful, but the transportation is really exhausting!
On the first day, we rented a car to circle the lake counterclockwise. At the "Lige Viewing Platform," I took a photo of the heart-shaped lake bay and instantly got over a hundred likes on social media! In the afternoon, we took a pig trough boat to "Princess Island," where the boatman sang Mosuo love songs, and the water was covered with white willow catkins (limited from May to October) 💐
On the second day, we climbed "Goddess Bay" at dawn to watch the sunrise. The mirror-like lake reflected Mount Gemu Goddess, so stunning I was at a loss for words! In the afternoon, we explored the Marriage Bridge and the grass sea, where the reeds hide many Mosuo love stories 🌾

Blood, sweat, and tears advice:
✅ Stay at least 2 nights! One day to circle the lake is too rushed; altitude sickness + winding mountain roads will exhaust you
✅ Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! UV rays are so strong you can peel in half an hour
✅ Respect Mosuo culture: don’t ask sensitive questions on the Marriage Bridge, and don’t step on the threshold of the grandmother’s house

Summary: A must-visit Eastern Kingdom of Women in this lifetime! Perfect for travelers seeking healing scenery + cultural depth, but the conditions are quite rustic, not suitable for luxury vacationers~ (Ps: It’s insanely beautiful when seagulls fly in winter!)