Meet the Beautiful China, Feel the Poetry and Distant Lands – Walking the Motherland Series 2: Yunnan Chapter (3) – Circuit Tour of Lugu Lake, Erhai, and Fuxian Lake
Meet the Beautiful China, Feel the Poetry and Distant Lands – Walking the Motherland Series 2: Yunnan Chapter (3) – Circuit Tour of Lugu Lake, Erhai, and Fuxian Lake
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from the viewing platform
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lige Peninsula from the viewing platform
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Caohai (Grass Sea)
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – By the lakeside at Daluoshui Village
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang – Distant view of Nanzhao Customs Island
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang – Sunset glow
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Gushan Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Sunset glow
Plateau Gems, Picturesque Scenery – A self-driving guide to touring Yunnan's Lugu Lake, Erhai, and Fuxian Lake
During a self-driving trip in Yunnan in May 2019, I had the chance to circle three of Yunnan's most celebrated lakes – Lugu Lake, Erhai, and Fuxian Lake – each one a beautiful jewel. In their unique landscapes, I marveled at nature's grandeur and masterpieces. All along the way, the stunning, poetic scenery of lakes and mountains was a feast for the eyes, making me linger and leaving deep, wonderful impressions.
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Caohai
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Lige Peninsula
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Lovers' Tree Scenic Area
Yunnan – Dali – Cangshan Mountain – Overlooking Erhai from Cangshan
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Sakura Valley Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Gushan Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Luchong Scenic Area
Yunnan is blessed with many beautiful lakes, a vital part of its rich and varied tourism resources. Being an inland province and longing for the sea, locals often call large lakes ‘hai’ (sea). Among them, ‘Erhai’ is the most famous. To truly appreciate these lakes, circling them is undoubtedly the best way to get close, feel their charm, and take in their beauty from all angles – it will never disappoint. The enchanting lake and mountain views, along with rustic towns and villages along the way, will keep you captivated and constantly stopping. Moreover, while circling, you can not only visit scenic spots but also discover places that aren't official attractions yet are even more spectacular. Wherever you like, you can slow down, stop anytime, and simply soak it all in, even just daydream by the lake. The schedule can be as flexible as you wish, the pace fast or slow. In this sense, a circuit tour truly brings out the best of self-driving travel.
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from the viewing platform
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lige Peninsula from the viewing platform
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Caohai
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang – Yang Liping's Sun Palace
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – 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
A full circuit of Lugu Lake covers about 100 kilometers, Erhai about 130 kilometers, and Fuxian Lake about 140 kilometers. Although it's called a lake circuit, for each lake some stretches of the road do not run right by the water. But this doesn't detract from enjoying the lovely lakeside scenery and visiting the attractions dotted 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 – Overlooking Lugu Lake from the viewing platform
Yunnan – Dali – Cangshan Mountain – Cangshan National Geopark
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Lugu Lake lies on the border between Ninglang County in Lijiang, Yunnan, and Yanyuan County in Liangshan, Sichuan. Part of the lake belongs to Yunnan, part to Sichuan. At an altitude of 2,685 meters, it is ringed by green mountains, with an intricately winding shoreline, numerous beaches, bays, and peninsulas. The scenery is utterly enchanting, with pristine folk customs and a dreamlike atmosphere, earning it the name ‘Plateau Pearl’. On the Yunnan side, the Mosuo people by the lake practice a ‘walking marriage’ tradition where men do not marry and women do not wed, thus Lugu Lake is also known as the ‘Eastern Kingdom of Women’. The exquisite natural setting and unique ethnic culture make it a celebrated tourist destination.
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from the viewing platform
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – By the lakeside at Daluoshui Village
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from the viewing platform
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 – Walking Marriage Bridge
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Caohai
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Caohai
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 viewing platform
1. Lugu Lake is a place well worth staying for a few days. Only by settling in can you leisurely savour the lake and mountain vistas, especially the beautiful morning and evening views, relax your body and mind, and experience a deeper, unique tranquility.
2. Lugu Lake is suitable for sightseeing all year round, each season offering its distinct charm. We have visited in different seasons, and every time we are captivated and moved by her beauty – it's a place you'll want to return to again and again.
3. Many inns and guesthouses dot the lakeside, making accommodation convenient. However, during holidays, rooms become extremely tight, so be sure to book well in advance, otherwise it can be hard to find a place. Lakeside-view rooms are a bit pricey on ordinary days; during holidays, rates skyrocket and can be absurdly high.
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – By the lakeside at Daluoshui Village
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Water Hyacinth ('Water Goddess') flowers
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Libai Lovers' Beach
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Caohai
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 – Overlooking Lige Peninsula from the viewing platform
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Lovers' Tree Scenic Area
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Daluoshui Village
4. If you're not driving yourself, sharing a car or renting an electric scooter to circle the lake is a popular not-to-be-missed way to explore. Many guesthouses offer scooter rentals, or can help arrange shared rides.
5. Just inside the Yunnan entrance gate, there's a viewing platform – a perfect spot to admire and photograph the panoramic view of Lugu Lake. Along the ring road, on the hillside north of Lige Village, there's another platform ideal for overlooking and capturing Lige Peninsula. In Nisai Village, you can take a cable car up Gemu Goddess Mountain; if time permits, riding up gives a completely different perspective of the lake from high above.
6. Most visitors come to Lugu Lake from Lijiang. Road conditions have improved greatly in recent years after continuous upgrades and expansions; the once-notorious ‘Eighteen Bends of Lining’ have been bypassed by new roads, significantly shortening travel time. But from Yanyuan County, Sichuan, the road is relatively narrow, with dozens of kilometers of winding mountain routes – be sure to control your speed and drive carefully. For self-drivers, however, the big advantage is not having to backtrack.
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from Gemu Goddess Mountain
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lige Peninsula from the viewing platform
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Caohai and Walking Marriage Bridge
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from the viewing platform
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Lovers' Tree Scenic Area
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Lovers' Tree Scenic Area
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Libai Lovers' Beach
Yunnan – Ninglang – Lugu Lake – Overlooking Lugu Lake from the viewing platform
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake
Sichuan – Yanyuan – Lugu Lake – Sculpture
Erhai is located east of Dali Ancient City in Dali Prefecture, nestled at the foot of the lush Cangshan Mountain. The lake's deep blue waters, set against magnificent mountain scenery and distinctive villages, have made it famous worldwide. It is one of Dali's four great sights: the wind at Xiaguan, the flowers at Shangguan, the snow on Cangshan, and the moon over Erhai. Though called a sea, Erhai is actually the second largest freshwater lake in Yunnan, covering over 250 square kilometers. Elongated in shape, it is said to resemble an ear, hence the name ‘Erhai’ (Ear-shaped Sea).
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Lakeside scenery
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Xiaoputuo Islet
Yunnan – Dali – Xizhou Ancient Town
Yunnan – Dali – Xizhou Ancient Town
Yunnan – Dali – Xizhou Ancient Town
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Sunset
1. Like Lugu Lake, Erhai is another place you'll want to visit multiple times and linger for a few days – it's lovely all year round.
2. There are countless beautiful spots around Erhai. Circling the entire lake is almost equivalent to touring all of Dali. Just visiting major attractions like Cangshan, Dali Ancient City, Shuanglang Ancient Town, and Chongsheng Temple Three Pagodas Park takes a lot of time, so plan accordingly and allow as much time as possible.
3. If possible, choose to stay by the lake, such as in the Shuanglang area on the east bank, so you can enjoy the gorgeous views anytime. The trade-off is that accommodation can be expensive. For a balance of comfort and budget, opt for quieter, lesser-known towns along the lake, where there are fewer tourists and room rates are much lower.
4. If you enjoy a lively atmosphere, stay in Dali Ancient City, where there's plenty to see and do. At night, the ancient city is brilliantly lit, bustling with people – truly a lively and fun place.
Yunnan – Dali – Cangshan Mountain – Overlooking Erhai from Cangshan
Yunnan – Dali – Cangshan Mountain – Cangshan National Geopark
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang – Yang Liping's Sun Palace
Yunnan – Dali – Dali Ancient City – Erhai Gate
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Xiaoputuo Islet
Yunnan – Dali – Xizhou Ancient Town
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Lakeside scenery
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Sunset
Yunnan – Dali – Erhai – Shuanglang – Lakeside guesthouse
Fuxian Lake lies 5 kilometers south of Chengjiang County in Yuxi City, just over 60 kilometers from Kunming, making it the backyard garden of Kunming residents. Although not as famous as Dianchi Lake or Erhai, Fuxian Lake is China's deep freshwater lake, equivalent to 12 Dianchi Lakes or 6 Erhais in volume. Here you can admire remarkably clear water – calling it a ‘mirror of the sky’ is no exaggeration. Several small scenic areas dot the lakeshore; you can randomly stroll by the water to soak in the natural beauty or enter each scenic spot for more structured sightseeing.
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Sakura Valley Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Sakura Valley Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Luchong Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Luchong Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Luchong Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Gushan Scenic Area – Distant view of Gushan Island
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Gushan Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Gushan Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Lakeside scenery
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Sunset glow
1. Fuxian Lake can be considered a hidden gem in Yunnan. Yunnan truly has so many stunning lakes that many overlook Fuxian. In reality, the lake is quite large, and its scenery is equally wonderful.
2. Fuxian Lake International Tourist Resort, on the east shore, is an upscale destination combining sightseeing, accommodation, and leisure – one of the best spots around the lake.
3. Chengjiang, where Fuxian Lake is located, enjoys a climate without extreme heat in summer or severe cold in winter. Most of the year is pleasant for travel, and it's especially suited for vacations. Lakeside attractions offer many water activities, making it perfect for a summer visit. If you bring children, they'll have a blast.
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – International Tourist Resort
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Sakura Valley Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Luchong Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Luchong Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Luchong Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Luchong Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Gushan Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Gushan Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Gushan Scenic Area
Yunnan – Chengjiang – Fuxian Lake – Lakeside villa area
