# Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake is a high mountain lake at 2,690 m on the border between Yunnan and Sichuan, and the home of the Mosuo people. The drive from Lijiang takes about 4 hours on winding roads.

## The lake and its people

The lake sits high in the mountains, and the Mosuo, a community known for their own family and marriage customs, live around its shores. Because the road from Lijiang twists through mountain terrain for roughly 4 hours, the journey itself takes up a fair part of the day.

## Sights

- **Traditional wooden boats to a small island temple** — a boat plus a short walk.

## Good to know

- The winding road here is not ideal for anyone who gets badly car-sick.
- There are fewer restaurant choices than in a town, so tell us your dietary needs early.

## At a glance

| | |
| --- | --- |
| Altitude | 2,690 m |
| Best time | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct |
| Suggested stay | 1–2 days |

## Our trips that visit Lugu Lake

- [Northwest Yunnan Grand Loop: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Lugu Lake & Shangri-La](https://unclepandatravel.com/tours/yunnan-11d)

## Related travel tips

- [How to pay in China: Alipay & WeChat Pay for visitors](https://unclepandatravel.com/travel-tips/pay-in-china)
- [Altitude in Yunnan: what families should know](https://unclepandatravel.com/travel-tips/altitude-yunnan)
- [Eating in China: ordering, spice levels and dietary needs](https://unclepandatravel.com/travel-tips/food-etiquette)

Browse more [cities & sights in China](https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations).

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- Source page: https://unclepandatravel.com/destinations/lugu-lake
- Language: English · Updated: 2026-10-22
- Operator: Hunan Panda International Travel Service Co., Ltd. (Uncle Panda Travel), licensed China travel agency, licence L-HUN-304745
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