Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) is one of Yunnan’s most stunning destinations, sitting on the border between Yunnan (宁蒗县, Ninglang County) and Sichuan (盐源县) at about 2,685 meters above sea level. Here’s a quick overview:
Highlights
Mosuo culture (摩梭文化) – The lake is home to the Mosuo people, often called the “Kingdom of Women,” famous for their matrilineal society and traditional “walking marriage” (走婚) customs
Gorgeous scenery – Crystal-clear turquoise water surrounded by mountains, with iconic sights like Lige Peninsula (里格半岛), Goddess Mountain (格姆女神山), and Cao Hai (草海) – a floating grass sea
Pig-trough boats (猪槽船) – Traditional wooden canoes, a must-try for getting out on the water
Practical Tips
Best time to visit: Spring–autumn (Mar–Nov). Late spring has wildflowers; October brings clear skies and golden reeds
Getting there: ~4–5 hours by bus/car from Lijiang (about 200 km). There are also flights to Ninglang Luguhu Airport
Entry ticket: Around 70 CNY
Accommodation: Stay in Daluoshui (大落水) village for convenience or Lige (里格) for views
Altitude: Mild altitude, but take it easy on arrival
off season. no business. so just reading now. qualify reading.
downloaded more than 700 e-books from pdfdrive.com. registered popular societal media account. understood basic softwares to jump over the wall. what i know is i am not the guy knows so limited as before.
so poor economy. depression now. try to write and think another way.
Blue Moon Valley（蓝月谷） is one of the most photographed spots in the entire Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area, only 25 km/40 min north of Lijiang Old Town.
Its “wow-factor” is the chain of four intensely turquoise lakes – Yù-yè Hú, Jìng-tán Hú, Lán-yuè Hú and Tīng-tāo Hú – linked by the white-water limestone cascades called White-Water Terrace. The colour comes from dissolved copper ions and fine limestone particles suspended in the glacial melt-water; when the sun is high (11 am-2 pm) the lakes glow an almost unreal sapphire blue and perfectly mirror the 5 596 m snow peak behind them.
### Quick planning sheet
| Best months | mid-March-May & mid-Oct-Dec (dry, clear) |
| Best time of day | 09:00-11:00 or 15:00-17:00 for softer light & fewer tour buses |
| Altitude | 2 800-2 900 m – gentle walking, but bring one small O₂ bottle if you are sensitive |
| Ticket | no separate fee; covered by the ¥100 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain scenic-area ticket |
| How long | 1-1½ h for the valley only; half-day if combined with Spruce Meadow cable-car |
| Getting there from Lijiang Old Town | ① Bus 101 “Snow-Mountain line” (¥15, 50-60 min) ② shared blue taxi ¥20 pp ③ private car/tour ¥150-250 round-trip |
### Recommended mini-route
1. Ride the scenic shuttle to the second stop “Shui-yuè Pavilion”.
2. Walk the plank path **upstream** (against the flow):
White-Water Terrace → Tīng-tāo Hú → Lán-yuè Hú → Jìng-tán Hú → Yù-yè Hú.
Going this way the backdrop of the snow mountain gets progressively better and you finish at the bluest lake.
### Photo tips
– Yù-yè Hú is the bluest; stand on the small wooden pier for the classic “snow-peak + lake” postcard shot.
– Polarising filter cuts glare and deepens the colour; a wide-angle (16-24 mm) lets you include both lake and peak in one frame.
– Drones are officially banned inside the valley – security will confiscate SD cards.
### Add-ons in the same area
– Spruce Meadow cable-car (3 200 m, 30 min round-trip) – alpine meadow view of the massif; good acclimatisation stop.
– Glacier Park cable-car (4 506 m, 90 min round-trip) – if you want to stand on snow; start early (08:00) to beat queues.
– Impression Lijiang outdoor show (daily 12:50 & 14:50) – 300 Naxi performers on a mountain-backed stage, tickets ¥190-280.
### What to bring
Sun-block (UV is fierce above 2 800 m), sunglasses, light wind-breaker (temp drops 6 °C if clouds appear), 500 ml water, small change for shuttle bus (¥20 each ride).
In short, Blue Moon Valley is an easy half-day excursion that delivers the colour-of-the-Caribbean right at the foot of a 5 000-metre Himalayan snow-peak – definitely worth the early start.
