May Day - Go to Lugu Lake to practice driving skills

Number of days: 4 days
Time: May
Average cost: 2000 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2021.07.25

Foreword

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake

The last time I went to Lugu Lake was five years ago. I went there from Lijiang. I stayed there for less than two days before rushing to the next stop. Although I had a hurried trip, I was still deeply impressed by the beauty of Lugu Lake.

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake

So the moment we decided to go on the trip, the first thing that popped into my mind was Lugu Lake. Later, after discussing it with everyone, we voted unanimously in favor of it.

Feel the mountains, waters, flowers and plants of Lugu Lake

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake

Brief talk, various arrangements

Overall plan: Departure on May 1st, return on May 4th. We had to get back to Chengdu on the 4th, no matter how late it was, so we'd have time to rest and recuperate on the 5th. After all, being a corporate slave still requires work, so we couldn't afford to go too wild.

About accommodation: We wanted a lakefront and quiet spot, so a bit out of the way didn't matter; we'd just go there to relax, eat, and drink.

We started researching accommodations about a month and a half in advance. After ruling out the Rig Peninsula and Caohai area, we initially set our sights on Lufang. However, after talking to the inn owner, we rejected that idea. Lufang was undergoing renovations; it was fine to stay there, but the excavation was messy.

Ever since we learned about the environmental remediation efforts at Lugu Lake, we'd been debating whether to go or not, worried that, like in Dali, it would affect the quality of our trip.

This delayed us for about two weeks. After much research, we finally decided to go and booked accommodation in Daluoshui.

After all, not only is the waiter popular, but the lake view is also nice.

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake Shop Assistant

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake

About Road Conditions:

Chengdu to Xichang, approximately 460 kilometers, all on the highway, estimated to be 6 hours. We set off around 11:00 AM on May 1st, hoping for less traffic later. Instead, we stopped and started along the way. After passing the Mingshan Service Area, the map directed us to exit the highway and take the national and provincial highways. Even then, heavy traffic and numerous trucks hindered our progress, and we arrived in Ya'an around 6:00 PM. Fortunately, the second half of the journey between Ya'an and Xichang was in good condition, and we finally arrived in Xichang around 11:00 PM.

The journey from Xichang to Lugu Lake is approximately 260 kilometers, all on national and provincial highways, primarily winding mountain roads with hills, sharp turns, and frequent trucks. Driving requires caution and caution. Fearing traffic the day before, we agreed to depart at 4:00 AM the next morning. With an early start, the roads were nearly empty. The 260 kilometers took us less than six hours, reaching Lugu Lake around 9:30 AM.

About food and drinks:

We had originally planned to enjoy yellow beef in Hanyuan and experience brazier barbecue in Xichang, but traffic prevented us from going. Fortunately, we managed to eat Ya'an fish in Ya'an on the way there, especially for the sword.

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Ya'an Yayu

We spent most of our two days at Lugu Lake in Daluoshui. Due to environmental protection measures and holidays, the road around the lake was always jammed with traffic, which made us not want to drive at all.

The wild mushroom and free-range chicken hotpot and the rubababa wall in Daluoshui are highly recommended. Other dishes like the brazier barbecue and grilled fish are nothing special.

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake Wild Mushroom Chicken Hot Pot

Beautiful Scenery of Lugu Lake

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake

Get up early to watch the sunrise

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake

We had planned to go to Goddess Bay to watch the sunset, but we couldn't get in because of forest fire prevention. Lugu Lake Lugu Lake

Conclusion

src="/travelogue/China/Yunnan/4024608/5.webp">Lugu Lake

A place like Lugu Lake is a perfect place for relaxation. If you have enough time, exploring the lake itself will surely bring you a whole new level of enjoyment. Only by slowing down can you discover and reap the beauty. Just like waiting patiently at the Meili Snow Mountain, you not only await the dazzling starry sky, but also the sun shining down on the golden mountain.