Lugu Lake: The Last Daughter Kingdom on Earth

Lugu Lake: A Poetic Sojourn in the Daughter Kingdom

【Itinerary】

Classic 3-Day 2-Night Route:
Day1: Depart from Lijiang/Xichang → Lake Circuit Tour (Lige Peninsula/Lover's Beach) → Mosuo Bonfire Party
Day2: Pig-Trough Boat Cruise → Visit Princess Island → Mosuo Family Visit → Starry Night Photography
Day3: Goddess Bay Sunrise → Hiking Ancient Mountain Trail → Return Trip

【Top 5 Must-Do Experiences】

1. Morning Fog Cruise on Pig-Trough Boats
Recommended spot: Near Liwubi Island
Best time: 7:00-8:30
Tip: Bring a jacket - significant temperature difference on the lake

2. Mosuo Family Visit
Highlights: Grandmother's House Hearth Culture/Handmade Butter Tea
Taboo: Avoid probing questions about walking marriages

3. Goddess Bay Sunset
Photography spot: Sacrificial Altar
Golden hour: Summer 19:00-19:40

4. Mountain Pilgrimage Hike
Classic route: Yongning → Back of Gemu Goddess Mountain
Duration: ~4 hours (bring trekking poles)

5. Stargazing Camping
Best location: Nise Village Grass Lake
Gear recommendation: Tripod + wide-angle lens

【Transport Guide】

By Air:
- Ninglang Lugu Lake Airport (30km from lake)
- Direct flights from Kunming/Chengdu/Chongqing

By Land:
- From Lijiang (4hr drive, passing Eighteen Bends Viewpoint)
- From Xichang (6hr, better road conditions)

Lake Circuit Transport:
- E-bike rental: ¥80-120/day
- Bicycle: ¥40-60/day (suitable for certain sections)

【Accommodation Recommendations】

Luxury Options:
• Fuyun Inn (Waterside Glass Rooms)
• Lilys·Honeymoon (Instagrammable Photography Hotel)

Boutique Stays:
- Hutuwu (Grass Lake Boat House)
- Erwan Waterside Luxury (Mosuo Courtyard)

Budget:
√ Lige Spring (Scenic Balcony Rooms)
√ Qingsong Tibetan Inn (Beds from ¥50)

【Food Guide】

Must-Try Trio:
1. Preserved Pork (Cured for 3+ years)
2. Sulima Wine (Fermented Glutinous Rice Wine)
3. Lake Fresh Cuisine (Whitebait Steamed Egg/Matsutake Chicken Soup)

Recommended Restaurants:
• Good Man Snack (30-year-old Zhao Family Bay eatery)
• Ama Wild Mushroom Hotpot (Seasonal Fresh Fungi)

【Seasonal Tips】

Best Periods:
- Mar-May: Rhododendron Blooms
- Sep-Nov: Cosmos Flower Season

Cautions:
× Caution driving during Jul-Aug rainy season
× Spring Festival rates triple

【Cultural Etiquette】

Respectful Practices:
- Don't step on door thresholds in Grandmother's House
- Rotate prayer wheels clockwise
- Ask permission before photographing (especially elders)