Encounter the Beauty of China, Feel the Poetry and Faraway Places – Journey Across the Motherland, Series 2: Yunnan Chapter (3): Touring Lugu Lake, Erhai Lake, and Fuxian Lake

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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 - Grass Sea

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - By the Lake at 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 Pearls, Picturesque Scenery – A Self-Drive Guide to Touring Lugu Lake, Erhai Lake, and Fuxian Lake in Yunnan

In May 2019, during a self-drive trip in Yunnan, I had the chance to tour three of Yunnan's most famous lakes: Lugu Lake, Erhai Lake, and Fuxian Lake. Amidst the unique landscapes, I admired the grandeur and masterpieces of nature. All along the way, the scenic, poetic lake-and-mountain views were a feast for the eyes, leaving me spellbound and reluctant to leave, with beautiful and lasting impressions.

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

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Grass Sea

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lige Peninsula

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lover's 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 numerous beautiful lakes, an essential part of its rich tourism resources. As an inland province, with a yearning for the sea, many lakes are called 'hai' (sea). 'Erhai Lake' is the most famous of these. To truly appreciate these beautiful lakes, touring around them is a wonderful way to experience their charm up close and enjoy the scenery from every angle—it will never disappoint. The enchanting lakeside scenery and rustic small towns and villages along the way will keep you constantly delighted, making you stop frequently. Moreover, while circling the lake, you can not only take in the sights along the route—some not even official scenic spots but even more stunning—but also slow down at places you like, stop anytime to savor the view, or even just sit by the lake and daydream. You can make the trip as long or short as you like, and set the pace as fast or slow as you wish. So, it's fair to say that touring around the lake brings out the best of a self-drive journey.

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 - 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 is about 100 km, Erhai Lake about 130 km, and Fuxian Lake about 140 km. Although it's called a lake loop, for each lake, some sections are not right next to the water. But this doesn't affect enjoying the beautiful lakeside scenery or visiting the attractions along the shore.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Daluoshui Village

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

Sichuan - Yanyuan - By Lugu Lake

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Aerial View of Lugu Lake from the Observation Deck

Yunnan - Dali - Cangshan - Cangshan National Geopark

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang

Lugu Lake lies on the border between Ninglang County in Lijiang, Yunnan, and Yanyuan County in Liangshan, Sichuan, so part of the lake belongs to Yunnan and part to Sichuan. At an altitude of 2,685 meters, it is surrounded by green mountains, with a gracefully winding shoreline dotted with beaches, bays, and peninsulas. The scenery is enchanting, the folk customs simple, and the views breathtaking, like a fairyland—hence its title 'Plateau Pearl.' On the Yunnan side, the Mosuo people who live along the shore practice a 'walking marriage' system where men do not marry and women do not wed, so Lugu Lake is also called the 'Kingdom of Women in the East.' The beautiful natural environment and unique ethnic culture make it a famous tourist destination.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Overlooking Lugu Lake from the Observation Deck

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - By the Lake at 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 Lover's Beach

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Walking Marriage Bridge

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Grass Sea

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Lakeside Scenery

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Gemu Goddess Mountain Cable Car

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Aerial View of Lugu Lake from the Observation Deck

1. Lugu Lake is a place well worth staying for a few days. Only by staying can you leisurely appreciate the lake and mountain scenery, especially the beautiful views in the early morning and evening, relax, and feel a different kind of tranquility.

2. Lugu Lake is suitable for sightseeing all year round, with different beauty in each season. We have visited in different seasons, and each time we are captivated and amazed by her beauty; it's a place you'll want to return to.

3. There are many inns and guesthouses along the lake, making lodging convenient. However, during holidays, accommodation can be extremely tight, so be sure to book rooms well in advance; otherwise, it may be hard to find one. Lake-view rooms are slightly expensive on normal days, but during holidays, prices can skyrocket, sometimes exorbitantly.

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - By the Lake at Daluoshui Village

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Water Hyacinth Flowers

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Libai Lover's Beach

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Grass Sea

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Gemu Goddess Mountain Cable Car

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 - Lover's Tree Scenic Area

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Daluoshui Village

4. If not self-driving, carpooling or renting an electric bike to tour the lake is a popular way not to be missed. Many guesthouses offer electric bike rental services, and you can also ask the host to help arrange carpooling.

5. Not far inside the scenic area gate on the Yunnan side, there's an observation deck, a great spot to view and photograph the panoramic view of Lugu Lake. Along the lake circuit, on a hillside north of Lige Village, there is another observation deck, offering a prime location to overlook and photograph Lige Peninsula. In Nise Village, there is a cable car to Gemu Goddess Mountain; if you have time, take the cable car up the mountain, and the view of Lugu Lake from above will give you a different feeling.

6. Most tourists approach Lugu Lake from Lijiang. Over the years, the roads have been continuously upgraded and widened, significantly improving driving conditions. The once notorious 'Lining Eighteen Bends' has been replaced by a new road. With better roads, travel time is greatly shortened. Coming from Yanyuan County in Sichuan, the road is relatively narrow with dozens of kilometers of winding mountain roads, so be sure to control speed and drive carefully. However, for self-drivers, the biggest advantage is not having 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 - Grass Sea and Walking Marriage Bridge

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Aerial View of Lugu Lake from the Observation Deck

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Lover's Tree Scenic Area

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Libai Lover's Beach

Yunnan - Ninglang - Lugu Lake - Aerial View of Lugu Lake from the Observation Deck

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake

Sichuan - Yanyuan - Lugu Lake - Sculpture

Erhai Lake is located east of Dali Ancient Town in Dali Prefecture, at the foot of the lush Cangshan Mountain. The deep blue lake is famous for its beautiful scenery and distinctive lakeside villages, and it is one of Dali's four great sights: 'Wind of Xiaguan, Flowers of Shangguan, Snow on Cangshan, and Moon over Erhai.' Though called a sea, Erhai is actually Yunnan's second-largest freshwater lake, covering over 250 square kilometers in an elongated 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 - Little Putuo

Yunnan - Dali - Xizhou Ancient Town

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Sunset

1. Like Lugu Lake, Erhai Lake is also a place worth visiting multiple times and staying a few days, and it's pleasant all year round.

2. There are especially many beautiful sights around Erhai Lake. Touring the entire lake is almost like exploring all of Dali. Just visiting major attractions like Cangshan, Dali Ancient Town, Shuanglang Ancient Town, and the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple will take considerable time, so plan your schedule accordingly and allow as much time as possible.

3. If possible, stay by the lake, such as around Shuanglang on the east shore, to enjoy the beautiful lake views at any time, though accommodation tends to be pricier. For a good but more economical stay, consider lesser-known small towns along the lake, which are quieter with fewer tourists and much lower room rates.

4. If you prefer liveliness, choose to stay in Dali Ancient Town, where there are many places to explore. At night, the ancient town is brilliantly lit, bustling with people and very enjoyable.

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 Town - Erhai Gate

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Shuanglang

Yunnan - Dali - Erhai Lake - Little Putuo

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 in Yuxi City, just over 60 km from Kunming, and is regarded as Kunming's backyard garden. Though not as famous as Dianchi or Erhai, it is a deep freshwater lake in China, equivalent to 12 Dianchi Lakes or 6 Erhai Lakes. Here you can enjoy exceptionally clear water, which can be described as a 'mirror of the sky' without exaggeration. Several small scenic areas are scattered along the lake, where you can casually stroll by the water to soak in the natural beauty or explore each area.

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

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Gushan Scenic Area

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Lakeside Scenery

Yunnan - Chengjiang - Fuxian Lake - Sunset Glow

1. Fuxian Lake may be considered a relatively niche destination in Yunnan. There are truly so many beautiful lakes here that many people overlook Fuxian Lake. Actually, it's quite large and its scenery is excellent.

2. Fuxian Lake International Tourism Resort, located on the east shore, is a high-end complex 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 heat in summer and no severe cold in winter. Most of the year is suitable for sightseeing, and it's even better for a vacation. The lakeside attractions offer many water activities, especially fun for summer visits. If you have kids, they'll surely have a great time.

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