Discovering China's Splendor, Poetry and Distant Lands: Walking the Motherland Series II - Yunnan Chapter (3): Circling Lugu Lake, Erhai Lake, and Fuxian Lake

📍 Chengdu · 👁 1 reads · ❤️ 43 likes

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the observation deck

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Aerial view of Lige Peninsula from the observation deck

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Caohai (Grass Sea)

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lakeside of Daluoshui Village

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang - Distant view of Nanzhao Customs Island

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang - Sunset glow

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Gushan Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Sunset glow

Plateau Pearl, Picturesque Scenery – Self-Drive Tour Guide for Yunnan's Lugu Lake, Erhai Lake, and Fuxian Lake

During a self-driving trip in Yunnan in May 2019, I had the opportunity to circle three of Yunnan's most renowned lakes – Lugu Lake, Erhai Lake, and Fuxian Lake. Amidst their unique landscapes, I admired nature's grandeur and marveled at its masterpieces. The journey was filled with stunning, poetic scenery of lakes and mountains that delighted the eyes and made one reluctant to leave, leaving behind beautiful and profound memories.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Caohai (Grass Sea)

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lige Peninsula

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lovers' Tree Scenic Area

Yunnan - Dali - Cangshan - Overlooking Erhai Lake from Cangshan

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Cherry Blossom Valley Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Gushan Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Luchong Scenic Area

Yunnan is home to many beautiful lakes, forming an important part of its rich tourism resources. As an inland province, out of a longing for the sea, many lakes are named 'hai' (sea), with Erhai Lake being the most famous. Exploring these lakes by looping around them is arguably the best way to experience their charm up close and appreciate their beauty from all angles – it will never disappoint. The enchanting natural scenery and rustic towns and villages along the way will keep you captivated, prompting frequent stops. During the loop, you can take in all the sights, including those not officially designated as attractions but even more stunning. At places you love, you can slow down, pause anytime to fully soak in the view, or just daydream by the lake. The schedule can be flexible – long or short – and the pace can be relaxed or brisk. In this way, circling the lakes truly maximizes the advantages of a self-driving trip.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the observation deck

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Aerial view of Lige Peninsula from the observation deck

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Caohai (Grass Sea)

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang - Yang Liping's Sun Palace

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Lakeside scenery

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Lakeside villas and upscale residential area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Gushan Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Luchong Scenic Area

The loop around Lugu Lake covers about 100 kilometers, Erhai Lake about 130 km, and Fuxian Lake about 140 km. Though it's called a lake circuit, some sections don't hug the shoreline. This doesn't detract from enjoying the lakeside scenery or visiting the attractions along the lake.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Daluoshui Village

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake lakeside

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the observation deck

Yunnan - Dali - Cangshan - Cangshan National Geopark

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang

Lugu Lake is located at the border of Ninglang County in Lijiang City, Yunnan, and Yanyuan County in Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan. Part of the lake lies in Yunnan and part in Sichuan, shared by both provinces. At an altitude of 2,685 meters, it is surrounded by green mountains, with a winding shoreline dotted with beaches, bays, and peninsulas. The scenery is charming and the local customs are simple, making it a paradise-like place often called the 'Pearl of the Plateau.' The Mosuo people living on the Yunnan side practice a unique 'walking marriage' tradition where men do not marry and women do not wed, hence Lugu Lake is also known as the 'Eastern Kingdom of Women.' The beautiful natural environment and distinct ethnic customs make it a renowned tourist destination.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the observation deck

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lakeside of Daluoshui Village

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the observation deck

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Libai Lovers' Beach

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Walking Marriage Bridge

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Caohai (Grass Sea)

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Lakeside scenery

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Cable car up Gemu Goddess Mountain

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the observation deck

1. Lugu Lake is a place well worth staying for a few days. Only by settling in can you leisurely appreciate the lake and mountain scenery, especially the beautiful views at dawn and dusk, relax your mind and body, and feel an extra layer of tranquility and peace.

2. Lugu Lake is suitable for sightseeing all year round, each season offering its own beauty. We've visited in different seasons and are always captivated and moved by its charm – it's a place you'll want to return to again and again.

3. There are plenty of inns and guesthouses along the lake, making accommodation convenient. But during holidays, rooms are very tight, so be sure to book well in advance, otherwise it's hard to find a room. Lake-view rooms are a bit pricey on regular days, and during holidays prices soar, sometimes outrageously.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lakeside of Daluoshui Village

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Water-borne flowers (Nymphoides peltatum)

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Libai Lovers' Beach

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Caohai (Grass Sea)

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Cable car up Gemu Goddess Mountain

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Aerial view of Lige Peninsula from the observation deck

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lovers' Tree Scenic Area

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Daluoshui Village

4. If not self-driving, joining a shared car or renting an electric scooter to circle the lake is a popular must-try activity. Many guesthouses offer scooter rental services or can help arrange shared rides.

5. Near the entrance gate on the Yunnan side, there's an observation deck that's a great spot for viewing and photographing the full panorama of Lugu Lake. Along the loop road, on the hillside north of Lige Village, another observation deck offers a perfect vantage point for overlooking and photographing Lige Peninsula. In Nise Village, there's a cable car up Gemu Goddess Mountain. If you have time, ride up to the top – the view of Lugu Lake from high above gives a completely different perspective.

6. Most visitors head to Lugu Lake from Lijiang. Over the years, the roads have been constantly upgraded and widened, greatly improving conditions. The once notorious 'Lijiang-Ninglang 18 Bends' has been replaced with a new road, so travel time is much shorter. From the Yanyuan County side in Sichuan, the road is narrow with dozens of kilometers of winding mountain roads – be sure to control your speed and drive carefully. However, the biggest advantage for self-driving is that you don't have to backtrack.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Aerial view of Lige Peninsula from the observation deck

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Caohai (Grass Sea) and Walking Marriage Bridge

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the observation deck

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lovers' Tree Scenic Area

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Libai Lovers' Beach

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the observation deck

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Sculpture

Erhai Lake lies east of Dali Ancient City in Dali City, Dali Prefecture, at the foot of the lush Cangshan Mountains. The lake is azure and famous worldwide for its stunning scenery and distinctive villages and towns. It is one of the 'Four Great Sceneries' of Dali – 'Xiaguan’s wind, Shangguan’s flowers, Cangshan’s snow, and Erhai’s moon.' Although called a sea, Erhai is actually the second-largest freshwater lake in Yunnan, covering over 250 square kilometers in a long, narrow shape, said to resemble an ear, hence the name 'Erhai' (Ear Sea).

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Lakeside scenery

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Xiaoputuo (Little Putuo Island)

Yunnan - Dali - Xizhou Ancient Town

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Sunset

1. Like Lugu Lake, Erhai Lake is also a destination worth visiting multiple times and spending a few days at, especially since it's pleasant year-round.

2. The scenery around Erhai Lake is exceptionally abundant, and circling the lake is nearly equivalent to touring all of Dali. Just the main attractions like Cangshan, Dali Ancient City, Shuanglang Ancient Town, and Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Park alone would take a lot of time, so plan an ample schedule for this.

3. If possible, stay by the lake, such as in the Shuanglang area on the east shore, to enjoy the beautiful lake views anytime. The trade-off is higher accommodation costs. For a good yet more budget-friendly option, choose lesser-known towns along the lake, where there are fewer tourists, greater tranquility, and much lower room rates.

4. Those who enjoy lively atmospheres can choose to stay in Dali Ancient City, which has plenty of places to explore. At night, the ancient city is brightly lit, bustling with people – very vibrant and fun.

Yunnan - Dali - Cangshan - Overlooking Erhai Lake from Cangshan

Yunnan - Dali - Cangshan - Cangshan National Geopark

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang - Yang Liping's Sun Palace

Yunnan - Dali - Dali Ancient City - Erhai Gate

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Xiaoputuo (Little Putuo Island)

Yunnan - Dali - Xizhou Ancient Town

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Lakeside scenery

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Sunset

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang - Lakeside guesthouse

Fuxian Lake is located 5 kilometers south of Chengjiang County, Yuxi City, just over 60 kilometers from Kunming, and is considered Kunming’s backyard garden. Though less famous than Dianchi or Erhai, it is China's deep freshwater lake, equivalent to 12 Dianchi Lakes or six times the size of Erhai. Here you can enjoy exceptionally clear water, aptly described as a 'mirror of the sky.' Several small scenic spots are scattered along its shores; you can stroll by the lake to savor nature or enter the designated areas for sightseeing.

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Cherry Blossom Valley Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Luchong Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Gushan Scenic Area - Distant view of Gushan (Solitary Hill)

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Gushan Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Lakeside scenery

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Sunset glow

1. Fuxian Lake might be considered a niche destination in Yunnan. The province has so many beautiful lakes that many overlook Fuxian Lake, but in fact it's quite large and the scenery is excellent.

2. Fuxian Lake International Tourism Resort, on the east shore, is a high-end destination combining sightseeing, accommodation, and leisure, and it's one of the better spots around the lake.

3. Chengjiang, where Fuxian Lake is located, has no scorching summer or severe winter. Most of the year is suitable for sightseeing and especially for a relaxing getaway. The lakeside spots offer various water activities, ideal for summer visits. If you bring children, they'll have a blast.

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - International Tourism Resort

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Cherry Blossom Valley Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Luchong Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Gushan Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Lakeside villa area