Lugu Lake

 

Basic Information of Lugu Lake

Chinese Name: 泸沽湖 Pronunciation: lú gū hú

Suggested Visiting Hours: 1-2 Days

Opening Hours: 08:00-18:00

Admission Ticket Fare: 70 yuan

Altitude: 2685 meters

Popular Activities: Visit a Mosuo family and enjoy a campfire party.

Address: The border of Yanyuan County in Sichuan province and Ninglang County in Yunnan Province, 200 kilometers away from Lijiang Ancient Town.

 

Surcharge Inside the Scenic Spot

Contents	Price
Liwubi Island boat ride	30 yuan
Tusi Island boat ride	30 yuan
Join a campfire party	30 yuan
Visit a Mosuo family	20 yuan

 

Introduction of Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake is located at the junction of Yanyuan County in Sichuan Province and Nilang County in Yunnan Province. It is a national key scenic spot. The lake covers an area of 50 square kilometers, with maximum water depth of 105.3 meters and an average water depth of 40.3 meters, and the lake reservoir has a maximum transparency of 12 meters.
 

Lugu Lake is the third deepest freshwater lake in China. In terms of administrative divisions, Lugu Lake is under the joint jurisdiction of Yanyuan County in Sichuan Province and Ninglang County. Lugu Lake has 5 islands, 4 peninsulas, 1 long island, and 14 gulfs.

 

History of Lugu Lake

In 1986, Yunnan Provincial People’s Government approved the establishment of Lugu Lake Provincial Nature Reserve.
 

In August 1988, Lugu Lake was identified by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China as the second batch of national key scenic spots.
 

In 1993, Lugu Lake was listed as a provincial scenic spot in Yunnan Province.
 

In 1999, The People’s government of Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province approved the establishment of Lugu Lake Nature Reserve.

 

Attractions and Highlights at Lugu Lake

 Islands in Lugu Lake

Located in the middle of the lake, Heiwawu Island, Liwubi Island and Lige Island are the home of migratory birds and ducks. It ranges from the lakeshore village. They were once the floating palace of mount Ayun in Yongning Township, where the American scholar Locke once lived.
 

 Mosuo People

Mosuo people in Lugu Lake still retain the form of a matriarchal family, which is called the “Mysterious Women’s Kingdom”. In matriarchal families, mothers dominate everything, and females have a high position in the family. Almost all Mosuo people believe in religion, and in addition to their original religion, they also believe in Lamaism.
 

The coming-of-age ceremony(usually when they are 18 years old) is one of the most important ceremonies in the life of Mosuo people. Mosuo people are considered to be adults by the age of 13. Women wear skirts and men wear pants. All children who do not perform the rite of passage are covered with a linen gown. They are eligible for walking marriage once they become adults, but many Mosuo people delay their first walking marriage until the age of 20.
 

 Gemu Mountain

Gemu Mountain, 3754.7 meters above the sea level, is the highest peak around Lugu Lake. In Mosuo mythology, the mountain is the incarnation of the goddess Gemu. During the festival, Mosuo people will go to The Gemu Mountain to offer sacrifice to the goddess.
 

Gemu Mountain, also known as Lion Mountain, is the sacred mountain beside Lugu Lake. Besides visiting Plateau Pearl, Gemu Mountain is the best choice for visitors to the Lugu Lake.
 

Mosuo People deify Gemu Mountain as the embodiment of women. On 25 July of the lunar calendar, the people will sacrifice to the goddess. It has a history of more than 1,000 year.

 

Recommended Travel Route

D1: Lijiang Ancient Town (1-3 hours) → Li-Ning 18 Bends (0.5-1 hour) → Lugu Lake (1 hour) → Grass Sea (1-3 hours) → Walking Marriage Bridge (0.5-1 hour) → Take a boat ride on the lake (0.5-1 hour)

D2: Gemu Mountain (1-3 hours) → Lige Island (3 hours) → Libai Lover's Beach (1-3 hours) → Go back to Lijiang Ancient Town

 

Best Time to Visit Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake is worth visiting all year round. There are more people in spring and autumn, followed by summer and winter.

When it is Spring or Autumn, the hills are emerald green, the flowers are in bloom and the birds are singing happily.

 

How to Get to Lugu Lake

 By Bus

Take Bus from Lijiang Bus Station to Lugu Lake, and the fare is 66 to 80 yuan. It takes 7 hours and the departure time are 9:00, 10:00 and 15:00.
 

 By Taxi

Chinese: 请带我去泸沽湖。English: Please take me to the Lugu Lake.

If you go to the Lugu Lake by taxi from Lijiang Ancient Town, it takes about 4.5 hours.