Rafting on Lugu Lake

Number of days: 10 days
Time: July
Average cost: 3500 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2022.08.23

Stunning at first sight

The pig trough boat is waiting for you

I cross mountains and rivers to see you, just for your beauty. Lugu Lake, China's third-deepest lake, after Tianchi Lake in Changbai Mountain and Fuxian Lake, lies in the Hengduan Mountains, on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan. It's a plateau fault-karst sinkhole lake, with a maximum depth of 105 meters and an average depth of 40 meters. The lake's surface is 2,685 meters above sea level, stretching 9.5 kilometers from north to south and 5.2 kilometers from east to west, with a shoreline of 44 kilometers. The lake's turquoise waters and boundless scenery quietly await our arrival. Are we late? Not necessarily. Perhaps just in time. The road from Lijiang to Lugu Lake used to be difficult, stretching over 200 kilometers. Now that it's been repaired, it's 178 kilometers from Lijiang and over 300 kilometers from Dali. The road is smooth, and while it's a long, mountainous trek, it's not too difficult. We set out from Shuanglang, traveling half expressway and half provincial road. Along the way, we passed the Lining Eighteen Bends, a winding path steep and winding through the mountains, yet boasting breathtaking scenery. We also crossed the Jinsha River, overlooking the Xiaoliang Mountains. After five hours, we arrived at the Lugu Lake Observation Deck. Our first sight of Lugu Lake was awe-inspiring. Nestled within the mountains, a pool of emerald blue water unfolded serenely before our eyes. Pure and natural, without a trace of affectation, it was truly stunning! We couldn't wait to embrace it. But no hurry. First, we'd enjoy an authentic Yunnan stone pot fish at a lakeside restaurant and witness one of Yunnan's Eighteen Wonders: the "straw hat as a pot lid." Then, with our taste buds tantalized, we headed to Lugu Lake—this time, we'd truly embrace it. By the lakeside, colorful pig trough boats lined up quietly, awaiting our call. We paid 80 yuan each, jumped on a boat, and eagerly rowed out onto the lake. The boatmen were a local Mosuo mother and son. The mother was taciturn, while the son was energetic and talkative. As they rowed, they introduced us to the history of the Mosuo people, letting us know that the Mosuo people are not the Mosuo ethnic group. We also curiously asked about the Mosuo's mysterious custom of walking marriage. Abdu answered all our questions, much to our satisfaction and delight. I was amazed at his excellent Mandarin. It turned out that after attending junior high school in Nanjing, he was quite knowledgeable.

We were boating on Lugu Lake, next to the crystal-clear water of excellent quality, with a transparency of up to 12 meters. We were even more pleasantly surprised to see numerous sea lettuce flowers, also known as "water-borne flowers," growing on the lake. Long rhizomes stretched upward from the lakebed, crowned by white flowers, dotting the surface in a stunning display. Sea lettuce flowers require very high water quality and can only thrive in clear water. We were delighted to see them in both Erhai Lake and Lugu Lake in Yunnan, demonstrating that local environmental awareness is improving. Everyone understands the principle that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and is therefore more conscious of protecting the environment.

Indeed, only a beautiful environment and scenery can continuously attract tourists, revitalize the local economy, and increase wealth. The Mosuo people living along the shores of Lugu Lake have escaped poverty and are now enjoying a prosperous life thanks to tourism, and we are happy for them.

Boating on Lugu Lake, we savor the lush green mountains and clear waters. Surrounded by the crystal-clear water, dotted with cauliflowers, and in the distance, the emerald green mountains, the scenery is picturesque, every inch a painting. We are relaxed and refreshed, forgetting all honor and disgrace, letting ourselves go, never wanting to return. Scooping up a little water to wash our faces, we feel refreshed. As the boat enters the thicket of aquatic plants, we are startled by cheers. Everything is poetic and picturesque, and we are mesmerized. Lugu Lake is truly beautiful! And boating on Lugu Lake is one of life's greatest pleasures! It is an unforgettable experience. Tomorrow, we will continue our journey, following the beautiful scenery, sailing around the lake, and gaining a deeper understanding and embrace of Lugu Lake.