Traveling to Lugu Lake with kids! Explore the highlights in 3 days without getting tired

Who understands! Taking kids to Lugu Lake, not only did we avoid exhaustion, but we also took tons of beautiful family photos! Autumn and winter at Lugu Lake are so friendly—the yellow reeds, the blue lake, the kids have fun, and I can relax too. Save this guide quickly～💫

💰Ticket Tips (Save money and hassle)
Tickets are 70 RMB per person, children under 1.2 meters are free, very cost-effective! Note the difference between the two entrances for ticket purchase: online booking is only available from the Lijiang side, the Xichang side requires on-site purchase, don’t go the wrong way~ Tickets are valid throughout the scenic area regardless of how many days you stay, but once you leave the area, the ticket is no longer valid. So it’s recommended to explore fully in one go without exiting midway~

🚗 Transportation Options (Stress-free self-driving with kids)
We drove from Chongqing, first to Lijiang then to Lugu Lake, and returned via Xichang. I sincerely recommend the Lining Highway entrance from Lijiang! The road conditions are good, so the kids won’t get restless, and there’s a Jinsha River viewing platform on the way. Stop the car, let the kids see the river, and talk about some Jinsha River facts—makes the trip far from boring~
If you go in winter, the road near Lugu Lake has black ice! We saw several cars skid. Be very cautious when driving with kids, check your car in advance, drive slowly, safety is more important than anything~

📍Kid-Friendly Itinerary (Fun every day)
Don’t rush with kids, Lugu Lake is best enjoyed slowly, two nights is just right~
✅ Day 1 Afternoon: Shangfang Pier → Walk the Marriage Bridge & Caohai → Goddess Bay Sunset
Shangfang Pier is my favorite! The lakeside walkway is very smooth, perfect for strollers and walking with kids. It faces Mount Gemu Goddess directly, the lake is as blue as a gem, kids squat by the lake watching little fish, and my photos need no editing, the family vibe is full-on. This is definitely the most beautiful spot at Lugu Lake!
Walking the Marriage Bridge and Caohai is great for a stroll with kids. The golden reeds are very photogenic, kids can run chasing butterflies and pick reed flowers to play with. But the Marriage Bridge itself isn’t that special, just take a few photos and move on to the next stop~
The sunset at Goddess Bay is super gentle! When we went, there were no clouds, only the golden hour, sunlight sparkling on the lake. The kids said “it looks like it’s sprinkled with lots of gold”~ If there are clouds, the sunset would be even more beautiful. Remember to bring a jacket for the kids, it gets a bit chilly by the lake in the evening~

✅ Day 2 Morning: Morning Mist Boat Ride (optional) → Lover’s Beach to feed seagulls → Lige Peninsula viewpoint
No need to book the morning mist boat ride in advance! It’s a bit cold in winter mornings, we didn’t take the kids, but you can see the mist from the hotel room. If you want to take kids, arrive at the pier before sunrise and decide based on the weather. When we went on New Year’s Day, many boats were empty, no worries about no boats~
Lover’s Beach is a happy place for kids! Many seagulls circle around people. Bring some bread crumbs, kids get super excited feeding them. Holding bread in little hands, kids feel both nervous and happy when seagulls fly over. The photos are very memorable~
No need to go down to Lige Peninsula, just take panoramic photos from the viewpoint. The lake wraps around the peninsula like a small moon. Kids will point at the peninsula saying “so beautiful,” perfect for a family photo~

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations (Top wild luxury, super comfortable for kids)
Good accommodation makes the trip happy! These two top wild luxury hotels in Shangfang Village offer an amazing experience~
- Yueshi Wild Luxury Hotel: Faces Mount Gemu Goddess, lake view rooms have fantastic views. You can take photos of your kids with the sacred mountain right from the room! The hotel provides kids’ exclusive toys and toiletries, and at night you can watch stars with kids on the terrace. The staff are very thoughtful and can promptly meet any needs~
- Muyu Wild Luxury Hotel: Super close to Shangfang Pier, just a few minutes’ walk! The hotel has a beautiful small courtyard with many flowers and greenery. Kids can play in the yard during the day and watch the lake view from the terrace at night. They can also prepare kids’ meals with mild flavors, which the kids love~

🍜 Food Recommendations (Kids love it, parents satisfied too)
Eating with kids requires balancing taste and nutrition. These two places are tested and good~
- Mosuo Clay Stove Firewood Chicken: Highly recommended! The native chicken is stewed until very tender, kids can chew it easily. The firewood flavor is especially fragrant. The bread by the pot is a highlight—sweet and soft, kids can eat two at a time. Portions are generous, perfect for a family of three~
- Cuoyi Pot Firepit Hotpot & BBQ: The chicken soup is super fresh. Serve a bowl for the kids with some vegetables, nutritious and delicious! For BBQ, kids love roasted potatoes and corn, and roasted pork belly isn’t greasy. The whole family can find something they like, no worries about picky eaters~
If you haven’t tried stone pot fish, you must! The fish at Lugu Lake is very fresh. Locals say stone pot fish tastes super fresh. We had it before in Xichang, so didn’t order again, but if you haven’t tried it, don’t miss out~