Lugu Lake area is known as the "Daughter Country of the East", in addition to the unique Mosuo matriarchal ethnic culture, there are also beautiful scenery in all seasons of the year, spring has a gentle breeze, summer has a lakeside clear moon, autumn has grass and white clouds, winter has twilight snow wild ducks, in Lugu Lake you can see the flat plains, you can also see steep mountains. This guide will tell you what to do in Lugu Lake, how to play it in general, and how to get there.
Where is Lugu Lake?
Lugu Lake Scenic Area is located at the junction of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, and the west belongs to Yunnan, mostly mountain roads; The eastern part belongs to Sichuan, and the terrain is gentle and low-lying, so the scenery on the two sides is clearly different - the Yunnan part has dense mountain forests and condescending observation decks; The part of Sichuan is tranquil countryside and a sea of grass.
The entrance of the scenic spots in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces can be entered by buying tickets, and the ticket price is 100 yuan / person.
Overview of the attractions of Lugu Lake
Two seas: grass sea, bright sea
The entire west side of Lugu Lake is a normal lake, commonly known as Zuoshohai, also known as Lianghai, which is said to be because the lake surface is particularly bright under the blue sky and white clouds. The visibility of the lake is high, reaching 12 meters, which is higher than many islands in Southeast Asia.
The lake is rich in fish and shrimp, and there is also a unique aquatic plant of Lugu Lake, called wave leaf sea vegetables, its stem can be up to 3-4 meters long, when the sun comes out, it blooms small white flowers on the lake, and when there is no sunlight, the flowers will be latent in the water. Every summer, it blooms most vigorously, like a sky full of stars. It is said to bloom an average of three times a day and is also known as the "water-based poplar flower".
The eastern side of the lake is low-lying and forms a grassland wetland. It is estimated that there are 15,000 acres, that is, the size of 1,500 standard football fields, overgrown with water grass and reeds, which is a veritable sea of 10,000 acres of grass.
One Bridge: Walk the Wedding Bridge
North and south across the sea of grass is the marriage bridge, 300 meters long, it is the only bridge on Lugu Lake, and its significance is not only convenient for cross-strait traffic, it is Mosuo culture "men do not marry women do not marry" important carrier of marriage customs, the past Mosuo people stepped on the marriage bridge to get married, hence the name. Mosuo costumes can be rented at the bridgehead for photography.
Now many people deliberately misinterpret the meaning of marriage, in fact, the real marriage is completely free, the real freedom of marriage and love, women live by their mother's side all their lives, men go to their partner's house at night, and return to their home in the morning, which is called "walking marriage". The establishment and dissolution of relationships are entirely emotional, there is no property dispute involved, and the children born also belong to the woman, taking the mother's surname.
One beach: Lover's Beach
Lugu Lake actually has several lover's beaches, the most famous of which is Dazu Lover's Beach, the water in front of it is the bright sea, where the color of the water gradually changes from green to blue, with an open landscape. In spring and summer, you can overlook the grass sea in the east, and you can enjoy the two styles of Lugu Lake. Hongyazi Lovers Beach is relatively primitive and clean, the waves on the surface of the lake are transparent and three-dimensional, the lake surface is crystal clear, and there is a "crooked neck tree" quietly waiting on the shore.
Lover's Beach and Bright Sea are also must-see attractions, and the recommended tour duration is 20-30 minutes, which can be arranged according to personal schedules, and it is not necessary to go to every Lover's Beach.
One mountain, one bay: Gem Goddess Mountain, Goddess Bay
Gem Goddess Mountain
Also known as: Lion Mountain, is a sacred mountain of the Mosuo people located on the shore of Lugu Lake, and the panoramic view of Lugu Lake from the top of Goddess Mountain is spectacular.
Goddess Mountain overlook
The most convenient way is to take the ropeway at the entrance of Nisai Village, which takes 20 minutes to reach the Cave of the Goddess Gem at an altitude of 3,450 meters, or you can hike the mountain, which requires a familiar guide to lead the way.
Gem Goddess Mountain Ropeway
The ropeway ticket is 90 yuan, and it is recommended to visit for 2-3 hours
Goddess Bay
Goddess Bay is a quiet harbor in Lugu Lake, named because it is directly opposite the Goddess Mountain of Gem, because of the Han people surnamed Zhao living here, so it is also called Zhaojia Bay, many photography enthusiasts say that this is the best angle for Lugu Lake to watch the sunset and enjoy the sunset, and it is also one of the most beautiful places in Lugu Lake.
Goddess Bay
Goddess Bay
There is also a shrine platform, and in the Mosuo people's route to the mountains and the sea, it is a sacred place for the Mosuo people to worship the mountains and waters, and it is a great viewing point with a panoramic view of Lugu Lake and the sacred mountain.
The recommended duration of the tour is 30-60 minutes.
Two peninsulas: Leaguer Peninsula and Lowa Peninsula
The Leaguer Peninsula, also the most famous peninsula in Lugu Lake, is backed by sacred mountains and surrounded by water on three sides, and its panorama has become the "standard photo" of Lugu Lake, and the Lugu Lake and the Leaguer Peninsula are indeed beautiful from the Rig Observation Deck. Due to the rare first-line water experience, accommodation in this area is also the most expensive in the entire Lugu Lake.
Observation deck on the mountain side of the Leaguer Peninsula
Luowa Peninsula, here is a very important dividing line, on one side is the famous grass sea, on the other side is the bright sea, here is also a great place to watch the sunset and the sunrise in the east. Every morning, the Mosuo people fish for hogweed on the lake, which is also a beautiful sight.
Three Lakes Island: Princess Island, Ribby Island, Black Woao Island
Princess Island, formerly known as Bowa Island and Bowo Island, is to commemorate the "Tusi Princess Mansion" of Xiao Shuming, the last princess of Lugu Lake, the scenery is naturally very beautiful, and the first season of the variety show "Dear Inn" was filmed here. The visibility of the lake here is particularly high, and the water-based poplar flowers also grow particularly well, and it is common for rhizomes that are two or three meters long.
Princess Island
Ribbi Island, located on the south-central side of Lugu Lake, is the most famous island in Lugu Lake. There is also a lama monastery on the island, which contains statues of Buddha such as Shakyamuni and the Thousand Hands Kannon. The temple is full of incense, and every Tibetan festival and Buddhist festival, locals come to pray for blessings.
The island is flanked by stalagmites, which serve as a natural pier, and a trail that leads to the top of the island, along with many azaleas and wild cherry trees
Black Vao Island, also known as Froll Russian Island, is called Snake Island by locals, and is named for the number of snakes that come out to bask in the sun on the island after the summer rains. Located in the center of the lake, it is also known as the lake island, which is a habitat for migratory birds and wild ducks from north to south. This is also the former water palace of the head of Yongning Tusi Ayunshan, who received the American botanist Dr. Locke and became good friends with Locke, who lived on the island for 8 years and had a very good relationship with the Mosuo people, who had a deep affection for this deceased exotic friend, and most people also called the island "Rock Island".
Two museums: Yang Erche Nam Art Museum and Mosuo Museum
Yang Erche Nam Art Museum
"Super Girl" judge Yang Erche Namu's residence, the museum is not large, located between Nisai Village and Xiaoluoshui, containing Yang Er's autographed secretary, many photos of life and folk decorations, once called by netizens "Red Flower Sect Leader", is a famous person of the Naxi ethnic group. If you are an artist, you can live here for free for 1-3 months, and leave the artwork as "rent" when you leave.
Tickets: 30 RMB
Business hours: 8:00-18:00
Mosuo Folklore Museum
The only private museum in China that reflects the folk customs of matrilineal clan society, in order to let everyone know the real Mosuo and pass on the traditional Mosuo culture, it collects the items used by the Mosuo people in production and life, and takes photos of daily life. There will be Mosuo lads showing how to climb the flower tower, how the girl weaves cloth, etc.
Tickets: 30 RMB
Business hours: 8:00-18:00
Villages: Xiaoluoshui, Dazu, Lige, Langfang Village, etc
Several large local villages are on the lakeside, and it is more convenient to eat, stay, boat, etc.
Da Luo Shui
Daluoshui Village is the earliest developed village around Lugu Lake, with complete facilities, hotels, shops, the highest degree of commercialization, convenient transportation, and Mosuo style in the village, many tourists to Lugu Lake the first choice to stay.
Xiaoluoshui scenery is good, relatively niche, can experience the more authentic Mosuo style.
Nisse village
Lugu Lake Nisai Village is a Mosuo natural village at the foot of the Gem Goddess Mountain, very quiet, the scenery is also very beautiful, you can also stay and eat here, the famous lover's tree is in Nisai Village, there is a ropeway of the Gem Goddess Mountain, you can get close to the Gem Goddess Mountain.
Lovers Tree
Nisse village
Nisai Village
Dazu Village
It is a village where the Naxi people gather, and there are dozens of inns along the lakeside road, and the lake is Lover's Beach, which is also the starting point of the road to Daocheng Aden, and it is more convenient to enter Lugu Lake from Sichuan.
Langfang Village
Located at the southernmost tip of Lugu Lake and the latest developed village, the accommodation here is relatively good, similar to Dali's accommodation conditions, all relatively high-end. The road around the lake is behind the inn, and in front of the inn is the yard and the lake, which is more suitable for people who want to go "quiet".
Putting rocky beaches
How to play Lugu Lake in general?
Most travelers arriving at Lugu Lake for the first time choose to spend a week around the lake on the first day. According to incomplete statistics, there are 5 whole islands, 4 peninsulas, 14 long islands, 14 lakes and bays on both sides of Lugu Lake and Yunnan, and nearly 20 natural villages such as Dazu Village, Boshu Village, Nisai Village, Xiaoluoshui Village, and Lige Village, of which 85% of the attractions are distributed on the line around the lake (except Huxin Island).
A circle around the lake can make the most efficient use of time without going back. You can also see where the attractions you are more interested in are, and plan to explore each attraction in depth on the second and third days. Lugu Lake tour around the lake generally adopts two ways of touring: rented car or chartered car.
Lugu Slow Time, Bikego, Yunnan Lijiang Lugu Lake 2-Day Tour [8-person pure play group, lakeside cycling, lakeside rest, slow play Lugu Lake, no man's secret land, 360 around the lake, Mosuo explanation]
Original cycling around the lake/ 360-degree panoramic around the lake/ High-grade jeep travel photography/ Multiple types of hotels to choose from/
Cycling around the lake
Cycling around the lake is about 40KM, and you can ride the entire line in 8-9 hours. The most convenient route around the lake starts from Daluoshui and goes clockwise around the lake to the west, the first half is a halfway uphill road, and the second half runs along the gentle sea of grass.
The route is shown in the picture:
Charter a tour around the lake
The price of chartered buses is usually 300 yuan / car, carpool 50 yuan / person, and the duration of the lake is about 4 hours.
The stops are: Leaguer Observation Deck, Gem Goddess Mountain, Nisai Village Lovers Tree, Yanger Che Nam Museum, Luyuanya Observation Deck, Dazu Village, Lugu Lake Town, Caohai.
The chartered tour has a short stop time at each stop, so if you want to see the scenery calmly, it is recommended to discuss the stop with the driver before getting on the bus. If you have more time and physical ability, you can take a cycling tour around the lake to be more free and deeper.
Pig trough boat tour
In addition to the route tour around the lake, you can also take a pig trough boat to visit Lugu Lake in the lake, enjoy the beautiful scenery around both banks and feel the lake breeze.
What is a pig trough ship?
Pig trough boats are canoes. Made of a stout log hollowed out. The two ends are sharpened. It is named after its shape like a long pig trough. Mosuo, known as "Rifu" in the language, has always been the only means of transportation in the lake.
Route and features of the boat tour
At present, Sichuan's Boshucun Wharf, Wuzhiluo Wharf, Luowa Wharf, and Yunnan's Da Sinking Wharf are all managed by their respective village committees, and each ship is divided according to the reception volume. Tourists must take boats from the designated pier, otherwise it is considered a violation, and both tourists and boaters are blamed and punished by the villagers.
How to get from Lijiang to Lugu Lake?
Chartered/rented/driven to Lugu Lake
The whole journey from Lijiang to Lugu Lake is about 210 kilometers, it takes about 4 hours to drive, and the cost of car rental is about 300-500 yuan a day.
Passenger bus to Lugu Lake
From Lijiang city to Lugu Lake by bus, the line is Lijiang-Ninglang-Lugu Lake Daluoshui, the bus location is generally Shuhe South Gate, Dayan Ancient City North Gate parking lot, oil company, Bailong Square and other places, you can buy online, the journey is about 5 hours.
Swim with a group to Lugu Lake
There are many group tours from Lijiang to Lugu Lake, starting at 7:00 in the morning to pick up people at major intersections around the ancient city of Lijiang, leaving at 8:00 to Lugu Lake Scenic Area, arriving at the three villages of Lugu Lake, Daluoshui and Lige three places, and the observation deck will stop for viewing and taking photos on the way. The whole journey is about 4 hours, the price is 80 yuan for one way, 130 yuan for round trip, the specific price will fluctuate according to the travel agency and the off-peak season.