Lugu Lake lies 200 kilometers from the center of Lijiang City, on the border between Ninglang County in Yunnan Province and Yanyuan County in Sichuan Province. The lake is like a beautiful pearl shining among the hills of the northwest plateau in Yunnan. The Lake is one of the deepest fresh water lakes in China. Lugu Lake is 2690 meters above the sea level, making it the highest lake in Yunnan Province. Being fascinating with its natural beauty, it is also outstanding for Mosuo culture.
Lugu Lake is surrounded by high and sublime mountains with exquisite beauty, fresh air and charming scenery. The water in the lake is clear enough that the 11 meters deep lake bed can be seen. There are moreover many jade-green islands of various sizes situated throughout the lake. The shores of the lake are inhabited by the Mosuo people who have lived there for generations. They have peculiar customs and ways, retaining remnants of matriarchal society. Men and women are not united by wedlock, each living at the mother's home respectively, yet keeping a casual cohabitation relationship. Thus the place is called "A Quaint Realm of Matriarchy".
If you go in the early morning, the mist mixed with the light of the rising sun gives the lake an orange glow covered by mist. When the light of sun causes the hills to throw their shadows onto the water, the lake has a jade green color. The lake is calm and dark green in the evening when the sun sinks, and is peaceful when night comes.
Type: Lake
Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00
Ticket Price: 100 RMB
Recommended visit time: 2 days
Transportation:
There are 2 express buses departing each day around 9:00 - 10:00 from Yuhe Square in the Lijiang Old Town. The one-day ticket is RMB 80 per person and takes about 6 hours.