‣ Why Begin Lugu Lake Tour

Lugu Lake is an alpine lake at an elevation of 2,685 metres and is the highest lake in the Yunnan Province. The formation of the lake is thought to have occurred in a geological fault belonging to the geological age of the Late Cenozoic. Lugu lake is surrounded by mountains and has five islands, four peninsulas, fourteen bays and seventeen beaches, just like a beautiful pearl shining among the hills of the northwest plateau in Yunnan. Lugu Lake is also the native place of "The Females' Kingdom" composed of the Mosuo people, a branch of the Naxi nationality. Lugu Lake Tour has become one of the more unique and promising tourism option with its intact natural living environments, charming lake landscapes, Mosuo culture, an integration of nature and human culture, and the harmony of water and mountains.

‣ Where is Lugu Lake

200 kilometers away from Lijiang, Lugu Lake is located in the North West Yunnan plateau in the centre of Ningliang Yi Autonomous County in the People's Republic of China. The middle of the lake forms the border between the Ninglang County of Yunnan Province and the Yanyuan County of Sichuan province. 

‣ Basic Information of Lugu Lake

• Chinese Name: 泸沽湖 • Keywords: Female's Kingdom, Home of Matriarchal Tribe • Opening Time: 08:00-18:00 • Altitude: 2685 meters • Area: 50.3 square kilometers • Average Depth: 45 meters • Lake Line: 44 kilometers • Ranking: third largest fresh water lake in China

‣ Lugu Lake Activities

• Lugu Lake Sightseeing

The lake is encircled with hills. The water is clean and inviting, with fish swimming in it. The forest around is dense and the air is fresh. This is a place that is little tainted by modern industry - the natural beauty is retained.

• Boating by Zhucao Boat

Zhucao boat is a kind of strange shape canoe, the traditional means of transportation of Mosuo people, especially as the helper of Axia walking marriages.

• Exploring Unique Mosuo Culture

The Mosuo people have lived near Lugu Lake for generations, and have maintained their matriarchal culture and unique matrimonial customs, in which a man will not take a wife and a woman will not marry a man.

‣ What to Visit in Lugu Lake

• Yongning Dam

Yongning Dam is a beautiful plateau basin located northwest of Lugu Lake. It is 2,644 meters above sea level. The dam area is home to many Mosuo villages that preserve the rich folk customs and traditional cultures of the Mosuo ethnic group. 

• Axia Quiet Valley

The valley is 1500 meters long and up to 100 meters wide, with old trees above a quiet and clear water. The stones in the valley are covered with green moss because of the humidity, and look like grassland from a distance.

• Caohai Scenic Area

Caohai Scenic Area of Lugu Lake is mainly distributed in northeast and north of the lake in Yunnan."Caohai" refers to a grassy plateau lake.

‣‣‣ More Attractions in Lugu Lake

‣ Ethnic Minority Culture in Lugu Lake

The shores of Lugu Lake are inhabited by many minority ethnic groups, such as the Mosuo, Norzu, Yi, Pumi and Tibetan. The most numerous of these are the Mosuo people (also spelt "Moso"), said to be a sub clan of the Naxi people with ancient family structure considered as "a live fossil for researching the marital development history of Human beings" and "the last quaint Realm of Matriarchy." 

Lugu Lake is called the "mother lake" by the Mosuo people. “The Kingdom of Women” and “Home of the Matriarchal Tribe”, this last name highlighting the dominant role of the Mosuo women in their society. The marriage rites of the Mosuo people are known as “azhu marriage” ceremony and this unique aspect of their social culture has given the title “exotic land of daughters” to the area.

‣ Recommended Hotels in Lugu Lake

‣ Transportation of Lugu Lake

There are two buses every morning depart at 9:00 and 10:00 from Lijiang to Lugu Lake directly, 6 hours driving. Besides, there is tourism special line bus to Lugu Lake every day departs at 8:30 in Lijiang Old Town parking lot. Or you can take bus from Lijiang Passenger Station to Ninglang County then change minibus to Daluoshui Village.

‣ Lugu Lake Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit Lugu Lake

The weather is pleasant - it is cool in summer and warm in winter. All the seasons are as comfortable as spring, but the best seasons to come here are spring and summer when the hills are emerald green, the flowers are in bloom and the birds are singing happily. And it is best to avoid to travel in June, July and August when is rainy season, first reason is that the road is slippery and the second reason is that without bright sun you can not appreciate the charming of Lugu Lake scenery. If you choose to visit Lugu Lake in winter, then you should put on suitable clothing to keep warm.

• Please respect the religion and living habit of local people. Do not ask the local more about the custom of walking marriage because they will be annoyed. If you would like to know more about the Mosuo culture, you can consult the older Mosuo people. Or you can join in our Lugu Lake Tour, Yunnan Adventure Travel will offer professional English tour guide for you.