Lovers' last teardrop: Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake, near the town of Lijiang, Yunnan province, complements the town just as much as a proper sauce complements a meal, so why not head there right away, if for no other reason than a nice rest?

For those who are always seeking new, even more spectacular, scenery and enchanting tales to tell their friends, there's no better place than this, a place where you feel the effect even on the way to Lugu, and after you leave, the memory stays with you.

If you have a passion for travel but still have a lot to do before you pack up and go, rest assured, we're here to help you and can provide you with information on routes, packing, other arrangements and scenic spots to get you really ready for your trip.

But, first things first: in the area of transportation, whether solo or in the accompanied of others, on a honeymoon, or a family trip, you can always consult our guide for the best arrangements. And for those making a second visit, one possibility is driving so you can explore Lugu Lake on your own and get new surprises.

For those who are not driving, here are some tips:

1.There are high-speed buses from Lijiang's High-speed Bus Station leaving at 8.30 am and 9.30 am every day and arriving at Lugu Lake Luoshui Village in five hours. Or you can take the No. 8, 11 or 12 buses and catch the high-speed bus at Lijiang's New Passenger Station at 9:00 am and 10:00 am, with a ticket price of 77 yuan ($ 12.4).

2. You can also catch a slower bus at the New Passenger Station that takes 3 hours to Ninglang county, where you can switch to a minibus. Those who reach Ninglang after 4:00 pm are advised to rent a van.

3. There is a bus from Lijiang to Xichang at 7.10 am every day that passes by Lugu Lake at approximately 12:00 am.

4. There are minibuses from Lijiang to Yongning that also pass Lugu Lake, with tickets at 53-yuan, including insurance, for those who do not mind a longer ride. They depart Lijiang at 8.30 am and arrives at Lugu Lake at 2:00 pm.

5. For more time-flexible people there are special tour buses from Lijiang that pass by Luoshui Village and end at Lige Village, giving passengers a chance to stop at scenic spots to take pictures. But, bear in mind, for the return trip you have to consult with the driver.

6. Or, you can get a pay-as-you-go chartered vehicle, for those with more to spend, say around 600 to 700 yuan.

The above routes are best for second-timers or those heading to Sichuan province. People who have never been to Lugu Lake before won't have a chance to stop and see some scenic spots on their bus trips, and may need to book their ticket in advance.

If you drive to Lugu Lake it may not be the easiest ride, since some of the rugged mountain roads are not hard-surfaced because of snow and ice in the winter, and the roads meander, and have U-turns and curves, so only drivers with experience can handle them.

The stretch from Ninglang to Lugu Lake is too narrow for two cars to pass at the same time, so no cars are allowed to leave Lugu Lake after 11:00 am.

Tourists are advised to take extra care both when driving and walking.

Lugu Lake is like a sparkling diamond and, while tourists in a rush can book a tour by car, the luckier ones can find time to walk, cycle, rent a car, or even explore the area by boat.

We recommend the villages of Luoshui, Nisai, and Lige and the Lige Peninsula on your way to Lugu Lake.

Anyone wanting to get a feel for the matriarchal society at Lugu Lake can see it and Gemu Goddess Mountain from Lige, the most beautiful peninsula on it.

No matter what, a spectacular view awaits you when you travel to Lugu Lake. You can hold hands and dance around a bonfire at night with Mosuo teenagers, enjoy a mini experience at local houses or just take a day off and chill out, since you are free to do whatever you want at Lugu Lake as long as it's legal.

Flowers blossom throughout the year at Lugu, but the ones in summer and autumn are even more spectacularly beautiful. The azaleas and sunflowers dominate during the wet season, from May to September, and the coreopsis reigns October to November.

All is bright and peaceful here and all you have to do is just pack up and you won't disturb the sleeping beauty.

Other useful information:

1. Tickets for Lugu Lake are 100 yuan.

2. Don't miss out on the boats, which cost 120 yuan a person, while a guided boat tour costs 80 yuan a person.

3. You can dine at a rural inn for around 30 yuan a person for some cheap cuisine, such as grilled fish, grilled pork belly, and more. You name it, they have it.

4. Book a hotel room in advance to avoid disappointment. Rooms next to the lake are slightly more at around 150 to 200 yuan a night.

5. Tickets for the Liwubi Island boat tour are 30 yuan per person; for the Tusi Island boat tour, 30 yuan; for Zhamei Temple, 15 yuan; for Gemu Goddess Mountaini cable car, 92 yuan; and Spirit of Mosuo performance, 98 yuan.

6. Avoid sunburn and bring tons of sunscreen and a scarf and you should be fine.

7. Local post offices can send postcards with exquisite designs for you. They are slightly more expensive at Lige than at Luoshui.