Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake （泸沽湖） is on the Yunnan/Sichuan border in China. It is pronounced loo goo hoo in Chinese.

Lugu Lake Halal Explorer

Lugu Lake in the morning - Lugu Lake in the morning

A nice lake between Yunnan and Sichuan to relax one or two days. The area is protected from extensive development.

It is 2690 m above sea level at the borders between Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces. It covers an area of 50 km² with the average water depth of 45 m and the transparency 11 meters. In the lake there are five islands, three peninsulas and a sea-wall islet. Here everything looks as if it has not been disturbed by human beings at all and still remains in its primitive state. Boating in the lake, you can feel that the surface of the water is as smooth as a mirror and the water as blue as the sky. The slow – canoe in the blue lake and the beautiful Mosuo girls in their ethnic clothes and the Mosuo folk songs will show you something of primitive simplicity and peace. Lugu Lake has the fame of a fabled abode of immortals and “Plateau Pearl" for its pure and virgin land of natural landscapes.

The Mosuo people living here keep their matriarchal society system. The "Axia visiting marriage" system (actually no marriage system at all) is called the fossil for the study of the development of the human being society. The members of the big matriarchal families live in harmony, love dearly and care for one another. The Axia couples live in their own mothers' houses without a real family life are less burdened economically. They free themselves from such worries as daily housework, quarrels and the obligation of a husband-and-wife relationship. Here, a colorful ethnic custom painting, is an ideal place for travelling, holidays, recuperation and scientific research. Welcome to the beautiful, mysterious and romantic "Oriental Women-governed kingdom."

Travel to Lugu Lake

Mini vans or fleet buses from Lijiang, Yunnan or Xichangsouth Sichuan. The road from Lijiang was, apart from some very short pieces, completely paved at the end of 2017, which has reduced travel duration by shuttle van from Lijiang to some 4-5 hours, where it used to be a grueling 8 hour trip over mostly unpaved mountain road. After the 4-5 hour trip, you will be surrounded by mountains and water.

Fees and permits

¥100 per head when entering the lake area. Students pay half price (most likely any English photo-ID will work).

There is only one bank/ATM around the lake and it's a small rural bank, so your MasterCard/Visa international ATM card won't work. Will only work with Chinese Unionpay cards. If you don't have money in a Chinese bank account and then make sure you bring enough cash to cover the number of days you are going to stay here.

How to get around in Lugu Lake

You can start out by walking around, but you won't get very far before you get tired. You can rent bicycles to go around the lake, it would take you 8 hours. You can rent electric and motor scooters to loop around the lake in about 3 hours.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Lugu Lake

• Photo with the resident eagle - They have a captive eagle and you can obtain photos with it for a fee. Once you've agreed to the fee and the handler blows a whistle that lets the bird know he needs to stand on your arm and spread his wings for a photo op with the mountains and lake in the background.

• Canoe ride to the Island in the middle of the lake - The canoes are by the pier. Depending on the time of day, you may be able to negotiate the price with them. They wait until the canoe is full of passengers then they paddle you out to the island for 20 minutes and paddle you back.

• Gemu Mountain Cable Car - A quick visit to the top of the most prominent peak in the area via cable vehicle with spectacular views. There is a cave near the top and some mountain monkeys to see.

• Hiking in the surrounding mountains
• Rent a bicycle or electric/motor scooter - A popular activity here is to bike around the 70-km lake. Half of the road around the lake (Yunnan side) isn't paved and in not so good shape for bikes.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Lugu Lake

Local artcraft

Halal Food & Restaurants

Hui Halal food is available in many different places.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Lugu Lake

Lugu Lake - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Lugu Lake, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lugu Lake. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Lugu Lake and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Lugu Lake. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Lugu Lake. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLugu Lake: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Lugu Lake.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Lugu Lake: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Lugu Lake, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Lugu Lake.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Lugu Lake, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Lugu Lake, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Lugu Lake and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Lugu Lake, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Lugu Lake, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Lugu Lake without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lugu Lake is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Lugu Lake.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Lugu Lake is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Lugu Lake, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Lugu Lake Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Many places all around the lake. The main town on the Yunnan side is Luoshui, which is beautifully located on the lake's shore. In high season it can get crowded, but in low season it's serene and highly enjoyable. Some foreigners prefer to stay in Lige, which is a small village on the north side of the lake with a great view on the lake.

In Luoshui there are plenty of wonderful hotels in the ¥60-70 price range: expect a clean double room with an attached bathroom, hot water, electric blanket, wi-fi and a balcony or view to the lake. There is an expensive official youth hostel, but it's cheaper and better to ask around in other hotels for a room. Bargaining is the norm in low season, but notice that a small deposit is usually required.

• Padma Hotel - A very nice hotel in a quieter section of Lige Village. Next to the water, with views in some of the rooms. The owners do not speak much English, but they are hospitable and the food is good and reasonably priced. The young woman who does most of the interaction with clients goes by the nickname Huiui. There is free breakfast and they give you good green tea for free if you sit in the lobby for a few minutes. Free wireless, but it is slow like the rest of the town.

Stay Safe

Around the lake you can find local Mosuo children selling local items and the local adults selling food. Be incredibly wary of them - the children, while dirty and ragged looking, have been known to pickpocket. The adults selling food can also be incredibly pushy and aggressive.

Travel Next

To Lijiang, 230 kilometers, 4-5 hours by bus or van. To get to lijiang and the same route that you came here. Except in the opposite direction. ¥200 per person. The vans and buses leave around 09:00. If you are driving, do not attempt to leave at night! There is road construction and the road is only open during certain hours. They won't let you through and you would have to turn back!

You can catch the bus from Lige or Luoshui and the boat to Luoshui is ¥80 from Luowa Pier (where the Wetlands meet the Lake), to Lige a minivan is ¥120/van or a 7-hour, 25-km hike.