1. Why Should We Go To Lugu Lake?
1.1 Beautiful Natural Landscapes
Lugu Lake offers a wealth of tourism activities, including hiking around the lake, taking a boat tour, and exploring Mosuo villages. Tourists can take a narrow trough boat to visit the small islands in the lake, experience Mosuo culture and visit Goddess Gemu Mountain. What's even more surprising is that a small white flower named "water primrose" will bloom on the surface of Lugu Lake from May to October every year, which is really breath-taking views waiting for you to explore.
1.2 Tourism Resources
Lugu Lake is an important carrier of Mosuo culture. Mosuo people living by Lugu Lake maintain their unique matriarchal social structure and walking marriage custom. This ancient social structure and marriage form are well preserved and displayed in Niaojue Lake and its vicinity areas. The "walking marriage" custom of Mosuo people and their legends between Goddess Gemu Mountain and Houlong Mountain add rich cultural colors to this land.
Consequently, Lugu Lake has attracted countless tourists to visit each year and it has become a tourist destination full of mystery with its beautiful natural scenery and unique Mosuo customs.
2. How To Visit Lugu Lake?
Lugu Lake is located at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan, so it is not recommend flying directly to Lugu Lake as air tickets are expensive and there are few flights. It is recommended to start from Kunming and then take an airport shuttle bus to Lugu Lake. There are three buses at different times every day. You can start from Lijiang or Kunming and take a car or plane to get there. It takes about four hours from Lijiang to Lugu Lake. By the way, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of eighteen bends of Lining on the journey, it is really impressive and not to be missed.
3. Tour Overview Of Lugu Lake
As the third largest deep-water lake in China, it is about 50.1 square kilometers. The maximum water depth is up to 105.3 meters and the average water depth is 40.3 meters. The basin area of Lugu Lake is located in Yongning Basin, the lake surface is 2690 meters above sea level and the lake water is crystal-clean and its transparency can even reach 11.5 meters.
This lake is picturesque surrounded by mountains on all sides, so hiking there will be a very unforgettable experience and you will see the tortuous lake shore and bays. You may never expect there are approximately 17 beaches and 14 bays waiting for you to explore.
4. Hightlights Of Lugu Lake
The main scenic spots of Lugu Lake include Goddess Mountain, Lige Peninsula, Walking Marriage Bridge, Caohai, etc. You can appreciate the entire Lugu Lake via Goddess Mountain, but beautiful scenery can only be seen in good weather condition. Lige Peninsula is a place where you can watch sunrise and sunset. The Walking Marriage Bridge is a cultural symbol of Mosuo ethnic group. Since some scenic spots are similar in sightseeing, it is enough to visit one or two main scenic spots.
You can visit Lugu Lake in Spring(March to May) and Autumn(September to November), which is the best season for you to experience the Mosuo culture and take more beautiful photos during your journey.
4.1 Daluoshui Village
This is the largest village in Lugu Lake and also the birthplace of Mosuo culture. Tourists can learn more about the customs and lifestyles of Mosuo ethnic group here.
4.2 Lover's Beach
It is well known as one of the most famous scenic spots of Lugu Lake, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains, even feel the romantic atmosphere arouse by its breath-taking views, it is also a place suitable for lovers and couples.
4.3 The Walking Marriage Bridge
It is located in the Caohai area in the southeast waters of Lugu Lake. As the only bridge of Lugu Lake,it is also one of the most distinctive scenic spots there. Due to the perennial silt deposition under the bridge, the water depth is more shallower than before and there are dense reeds growing. Looking from a distance, it looks like the sea of grass, so the locals call it "Caohai". The Walking Marriage Bridge is a place for Mosuo men and women dating. Mosuo people adhere to the custom of “walking marriage", which is pretty interesting.
4.4 Caohai (Grass Sea)
Caohai is a lake covered with thick reeds, it covers an area of 10 square kilometers (4 square miles), it is like a piece of jade inlaid in the east of Lugu Lake. Mosuo girls paddle their boats through the reeds with melodious Mosuo songs.
Taking its unique geographical location and ecological environment into consideration, it is now a treasure trove of biodiversity, inhabited by a variety of rare birds and aquatic animals.
The main landscapes of Caohai scenic area include the emerald green lake surface, dense reed marshes and the Caohai Bridge spanning the lake. This bridge is also known as the "Walking Marriage Bridge". Visitors can stroll on the bridge, appreciate the emerald green reed marshes and experience the unique Mosuo culture, Walking Marriage Bridge is also the place where Mosuo people date each other.
In addition, Caohai is also the best choice for bird watching in spring, summer. and winter, many rare birds inhabit here, it is indeed worth watching.
Apart from this, Caohai is also a paradise for photography enthusiasts,from the green grass in spring to the golden yellow and withered grass in winter, each season has its unique glamour.
In general, Caohai is a tourist attraction integrating natural beauty, ecological value and cultural experience together, attracting many tourists at home and abroad to come for sightseeing.
4.5 Zhamei Temple
Zhamei Temple is located at the foot of Gu'er Mountain in the northwest of Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It is the largest existing Tibetan Buddhist Temple in the Mosuo area. Zhamai Temple is not only a key cultural relic protection site in Yunnan province, but also attracts a large number of tourists with its rich cultural and religious values.
The architectural style of Zhamei Temple is very unique, the whole temple covers an area of 24,000 square meters. The main buildings include the main hall, left and right side halls. All of them are three-story pavilions with civil engineering structures, thick walls and yellow tiles. There are gilded copper roofs erected, which are resplendent. In the west side hall, there is a gilded seated statue of Maitreya Buddha with the height of 12 meters, wearing a five-buddha crown on its head and holding a wish-fulfilling jewel. It is a typical sculpture mould made of Tibetan clay. On the four walls of the side hall are painted six murals with the content of Buddhist sutra, they are characterized by the fine lines, the bright colors and the vivid shapes.
Zhamai Temple is not only a place for religious activities, but also an important place for cultural exchanges. Under normal circumstances, there are only 1-2 lamas guarding the temple, but you will witness that hundreds of lamas wear cassocks and yellow cockscomb hats, gathering together to hold ceremonies during religious ceremonies, ultimately forming a spectacular scene. Zhamei Temple holds many religious ceremonies and activities every year, such as Miluoqimo Festival, Shaman Dance, Cuoquhui, Yanenghui, etc., attracting believers and tourists all over the world.
The opening hours of Zhamei Temple are from 8:00 to 18:00 all year round with admission ticket 20 RMB. Tourists can go there by public transportation or self-driving. Taking a bus from Ninglang city to Yongning city at first and then getting off from Yongning city, you will take a walk for 2 kilometers along Yongning Street to reach the destination. Zhamei Temple is not only the spiritual destination of mystagogues, but also an ideal place for tourists to experience Tibetan Buddhist culture and enjoy the plateau scenery of Lijiang.
4.6 Kingdom Of Daughters
The scenic spot of Kingdom of Daughters in Lugu Lake is famous for its unique Mosuo culture and beautiful natural scenery. It retains the traditional customs of matriarchal society, this unique culture makes Lugu Lake an important window for exploring anthropology and cultural diversity.
In addition, Lugu Lake is also a place suitable for exploring more possibilities. To be specific, tourists can choose to take a scroll, by bike or by chartered car and then enjoy the scenery along the lake. The beauty of Lugu Lake lies not only in its natural scenery but also in the rich culture and history it carries. When you come here, you can appreciate the beautiful natural scenery and get a deep understanding about Mosuo culture and different local customs.
4.7 Gemu Goddess Mountain
The Goddess Mountain of Lugu Lake, also known as Gemu Goddess Mountain, is situated in Yi autonomous region, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It stands as the highest peak encircling Lugu Lake with an altitude of 3770 meters. This mountain is renowned for its natural beauty in magnificent geographical location and its profound cultural heritage. As a consequence of this, it attracts numerous tourists each year.
Geographical location and name: Gemu Goddess Mountain is also called Lion Mountain. In the Mosuo language, it is named “Gemu,” signifying the white goddess. It symbolizes wisdom and kindness. This mountain is the sacred mountain of Mosuo people and is regarded as the incarnation of the goddess Gemu. On July 25th of the lunar calendar every year, Mosuo people hold a grand mountain circumambulation festival to offer prayers to the goddess, seeking peace and prosperity.
Natural scenery: The natural vistas of Gemu Goddess Mountain are truly enchanting. The mountain is lush and veiled in clouds and mist, resembling a fairyland. Standing atop the mountain, you can gaze upon the entire Lugu Lake, the panorama of the lake and mountains is breathtakingly beautiful. For photography enthusiasts and hikers, this is an absolute paradise. Ascending along the mountain path, one can relish the beautiful scenery along the way and experience the joy of hiking. Moreover, the observation deck on the summit is an ideal spot for capturing panoramic views of Lugu Lake.
Cultural significance: Gemu Goddess Mountain is not only the spiritual sustenance and symbol of faith for Mosuo people but also carries profound cultural connotations. There is a famous scenic spot on the mountain called Goddess Cave, which is one of the natural karst caves with the highest altitude in China. Additionally, there are many wild animals on the mountain, such as macaques, golden pheasants, squirrels, and so on, which add to the fun and ecological experience for tourists.
Tourism information: The Gemu Goddess Mountain scenic area is open from 08:30 to 17:30 every day. Tourists can take the cableway up the mountain and visit scenic spots such as the Goddess Cave. By taking the cableway to the summit of the Goddess Mountain, one can enjoy the panoramic view of Lugu Lake.
In conclusion, Gemu Goddess Mountain is not only an important tourist attraction in the Lugu Lake area but also a perfect fusion of Mosuo culture and natural landscapes, luring tourists from all over the world to explore.
4.8 Niaojue Lake
The Niaojue Lake is one of the most beautiful lake in Lugu Lake and is famous for its unique natural beauty and cultural characteristics.
It is located on the north side of Lugu Lake. It is a small island surrounded by water on three sides (east, west and south) and bordered by land on the back. Its panorama displays a heart-shaped appearance. This lake is characterized by its deep blue lake, secluded jungle and jagged rocks. Apart from this, there is also a stone beach covered with countless exquisite stone slices with golden colors and picturesque textures, which can be regarded as a unique wonder of Lugu Lake.
The sacrificial altar is located on the top of Niaojue Mountain and has a very exquisite architectural style, it is also the place where the Mosuo people worship the mountains during the activities of "circumambulating the mountains" and "circumambulating the sea", this is not only an embodiment of religious belief but also an important part of Mosuo culture. Most importantly, you can spot the magnificent views of Goddess Mountain. Whenever the sun sets in the west, the sacrificial altar is illuminated by the afterglow. The orange light reflects on the trees and pavilions, creating a beautiful scene as if you are in a different world.
The sacrificial altar of Lugu Lake is open all year round, tourists can enter and visit for free. It is recommended to go on foot to fully experience the natural beauty and local culture. For tourists who like photography and exploring culture, this is a rare and wonderful place.
In addition, the sacrificial altar in Lugu Lake is also one of the excellent places to watch the sunset. However, some tourists may experience altitude sickness due to the higher location of the sacrificial altar. Therefore, it is recommended not to get involved in intense activities and prepare a thicker coat to keep warm.
It is the best time to visit Lugu Lake from March to October every year. At this time, you can not only appreciate the extraordinary charm of Niaojue Lake, but also deeply experience Mosuo culture and have a good grasp of the unique lifestyles and social structures of this ancient ethnic minority. This ultimately makes Lugu Lake a tourist destination integrating natural beauty and humanistic characteristics.
4.9 Duck Bealock
The Duck Bealock in Lugu Lake is a special place, which is located in the middle section of the mountain ridge of Caohai Lake. The mountain is interrupted to form a semicircular bealock. This place is particularly attractive in autumn and winter, because the waterbirds in flocks will fly over the bealock and roost in Caohai Lake, so the natural landscape is indeed very spectacular. The Duck Bealock is not only a natural landscape but also carries many people's childhood memories. It is a valuable scenic spot in Lugu Lake. Looking down from the Duck Bealock, you can see a small bay where only one family lives there. The surrounding environment is so beautiful and picturesque. In addition to this, starting from the Bealock, you can explore more beautiful scenery around Lugu Lake, including Goddess Bay, which also shows the natural beauty and cultural charm of Lugu Lake.
4.10 Bo’ao Island
Bo’ao Island, also known as Princess Island, is a small island located in Yanyuan County, Sichuan Province, with an area of 7.5 mu surrounded by vast blue waves in Lugu Lake. This island has special meaning for the locals. It was originally named Boowa'e Island, and then it was renamed Princess Island in memory of an famous person who is named Shuming Xiao, the last princess of Mosuo people. When she was 16 years old, she married with Tusi La Baochen and performed a story of a contemporary "Princess Wencheng". Xiao Shuming not only participated in the political affairs of the Tusi family but also personally supervised the collection of taxes, even teaching Mosuo children to learn Chinese, so her actions won the respect of Mosuo people. In order to commemorate this "last princess", Boowa'e Island was renamed Princess Island. After that, there was a luxurious villa built on the island to commemorate this Han lady. Until today, this small island has become an important scenic spot in the Lugu Lake, attracting many tourists to come and explore the story of this legendary woman.
5. Tips For Food And Accommodation
5.1 Food
Meals are mainly offered in Luoshui Village in Lugu Lake. Generally, hotels offer food. Breakfast is particularly rich, including buttered tea, porridge, steamed buns, pickles, and er si (a kind of rice noodle). For lunch and dinner, there are also western restaurants and local snacks to choose from. The local delicacies must be tried, including cured pork, dried beef, buttered tea, as well as the grilled fish etc.
5.2 Accommodation
There are various styles of accommodation options around Lugu Lake, ranging from youth hostels to inns. It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance, especially during the peak season, to prevent price increases or fully booked conditions. The relatively concentrated accommodation locations include Daluoshui Village, Xiaoluoshui Village, Lige Peninsula and Liangfang Village, if you have difficulty in ordering the proper hotels, we will provide you with more money-saving choices and you may enjoy your food and accommodation here.
6. Travel Tips To Lugu Lake
6.1 Clothing Selection
It is recommended to wear lightweight and breathable clothing, such as quick-drying clothes and casual wear. Since there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening, it is recommended to bring a long-sleeved jacket or windbreaker to adapt to temperature changes.
6.2 Sun Protection Measures
The ultraviolet rays in Lugu Lake are very strong. Sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses should be carried to protect the skin from ultraviolet damage.
6.3 Comfortable Footwear
Choose a pair of comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes, as visiting Lugu Lake may require walking or hiking.
6.4 Rain Gear Preparation
The weather is changeable and it may rain at any time, so it is a wise choice to bring a raincoat or umbrella.
6.5 Lightweight Backpack
Carry a lightweight backpack to conveniently store personal items such as cameras and water bottles.
6.6 Characteristic Ethnic Costumes
You can try renting or buying the ethnic costumes of Mosuo ethnic groups to experience the local cultural customs.
6.7 Warm Clothing
Even in summer, it may be relatively cool at night, so it is necessary to bring some warm clothing.
6.8 Multifunctional Accessories
Multifunctional headscarves or portable folding chairs can enhance the travel experience.
6.9 Weather Conditions
The weather on Goddess Mountain is changeable. When the clouds and fog are heavy, you may not be able to see the scenery when going up the mountain. It is recommended to go there with sunny days.
6.10 Sunrise And Sunset Viewing Locations
Lige Peninsula is recommended for watching the sunrise and Goddess Bay for watching the sunset.
