Lugu Lake: A Place Beyond Words

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Foreword: A Long-Overdue Record

This piece of writing stems from a trip I took during the May Day holiday in 2012. To be honest, when I first published this travelogue on Mafengwo, my attention to the craft of writing was far less meticulous than it is today. Looking back now, those loosely structured, haphazardly formatted paragraphs did a disservice to the breathtaking beauty of that lake. So I decided to revisit and reorganize it—to let the light of memory shine through words once more.

Lugu Lake—a place that needs no further description. To this day, it remains the most beautiful lake I have ever seen, without exception.

Travel Guide: How to Reach This Hidden Gem

Transportation Routes

Departing from Chengdu, you have two options:

• Train (hard sleeper): Chengdu → Xichang, fare 140 RMB/person, travel time approximately 9.5 hours
• Bus (expressway): Chengdu → Xichang, fare 106 RMB/person, travel time approximately 6.5 hours (Note: the Yaxi Expressway is occasionally prone to landslides)

From Xichang to Lugu Lake: - Bus (mountain roads), fare 70 RMB/person, travel time approximately 7 hours - During off-peak season, there are 1-2 buses daily; additional services are added during peak season. Buses typically depart around 8:00 AM, with extra services around 7:40 AM, and no later than 9:00 AM - Generally, advance ticket purchase is not possible, though I've heard Taobao offers booking services that are reportedly reliable

Return Trip Tips: - Lugu Lake → Xichang: only 1-2 buses daily, tickets sell out quickly. If unavailable, you can transfer via Yanyuan: - Lugu Lake → Yanyuan: bus, 50 RMB/person, approximately 4.5 hours - Yanyuan → Xichang: bus, 20 RMB/person, approximately 1.5 hours

Practical Tips

• Entrance Fee: 80 RMB/person, half-price for students, no further ticket checks once inside
• Lige Island Transport: 20 RMB/person (shared taxi with 4 people)
• Private Car for Lake Loop: 200 RMB/day
• Accommodation: Approximately 100 RMB/night on weekdays, around 240 RMB/night during major holidays (prices fluctuate based on visitor volume)
• Dining: Each main meal costs about 100 RMB (for 2 people), which is reasonable for a scenic area

Photography Gear: The Philosophy of Traveling Light

For this trip, I embraced minimalism—a Nikon D90 with an 18-105 VR kit lens. Many people call this lens a "sunlight lens"—when there's sunlight, it produces results comparable to high-end lenses, with only slightly lower sharpness. I wholeheartedly agree. The D90 struggles with night photography, so I barely took any nighttime shots during those days.

I stuck with the same background music, choosing a track that matched the mood—I'm Sorry That the Kitchen Is on Fire. The title is long, but the melody fits perfectly.

First Sight of Lugu Lake: Stunning Even Under Overcast Skies

Around 5:00 PM on April 28, we arrived at Lugu Lake Town. A light drizzle was falling, but it couldn't dampen our anticipation. The driver took us directly to Lige Island.

The sky was heavily overcast, but even at first glance, I couldn't help but marvel at Lige's beauty. I snapped a few photos impatiently before heading to our accommodation to drop off our luggage.

We stayed at "Blossoms on the Path" (Mo Shang Hua Kai) in Lige—a lovely place we had booked online in advance. The first night cost 100 RMB; the second night was supposed to increase to 240 RMB (May Day pricing), but since visitor numbers were lower than expected that holiday—likely because the Qingming Festival crowds had been so intense that media coverage scared people away—we weren't charged the higher rate. From the curtains to the tables to the tiny teacups, every detail exuded thoughtful design.

After dropping off our bags, we wandered outside. The sky remained overcast outside the Lige lodges, but the clouds were beautiful. I spotted a cow and took a photo from a safe distance—unlike my bold approach with camels in Dunhuang, I wasn't sure about this one's temperament.

The Magic of Changing Light: Lugu Lake's Enchanted Hours

When I reached the lakeshore, the sun suddenly peeked through the clouds. I quickly snapped a few shots. I'd heard that the weather here changes rapidly, and within just a short time, I experienced it firsthand.

Golden Hour for Photography: Around 6:00 PM

As the sun was about to disappear, I noticed a pattern: almost every day, it would cloud over and get windy around 3:00 PM, then the sun would reappear between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. The light during this window was soft and perfect for photography—neither overexposed nor too dark.

The sky cleared completely. Low-hanging clouds, gentle light—we were incredibly lucky. I took a low-angle shot, and the lake bottom was visible, crystal clear. Locals say the lake water is drinkable straight from the source. I was tempted to try it, but then I noticed tourists washing their feet nearby... I passed.

Then came the most breathtaking moment—the setting sun spilled across the entire lake surface, beautiful beyond words. It clouded over again afterward, but the low-hanging clouds had their own charm. I'd read many travelogues mentioning these low clouds, and I felt fortunate to witness them.

After the sun fully set, we found a place to eat. I usually don't photograph my food, but on this first night, I made an exception for grilled dishes—they had a unique flavor.

Sunrise and Morning Light: Golden Poems on the Lake

I woke up at 5:00 AM—dark and cold. There were two options for watching the sunrise: 10 RMB or 20 RMB. We chose the 20 RMB option. For just the two of us in a private boat, it cost 50 RMB.

As we rowed toward the center of the lake, the sky gradually brightened. The boatman whistled softly as he paddled, relaxed and unhurried. If you want to take portraits at this time, you'll need a flash, but not directly aimed at the subject.

When we reached the viewing spot, there were quite a few people, but locals told us this was sparse compared to peak holiday crowds—during Qingming Festival, they said, hundreds of people cram onto a single island.

Sunrise photos tend to look similar, so I chose just two to keep. The sun finally emerged! On the way back, around 7:30 AM, the sky was fully bright. The light in the background was dazzling.

For breakfast, I had a sausage (3 RMB each, delicious), corn (5 RMB each, very sweet—I wondered if it was sweetened), and a giant potato—I thought it was a bread roll and was full after eating just half.

Leisurely Moments: Choosing Between Heart Island and Camel Island

After breakfast, I went back to sleep until 11:00 AM. I wanted to take a boat to Heart Island (Hu Xin Dao), but the boatman said the afternoon winds were too strong—he was worried we wouldn't be able to row back, and many boatmen refused to go. Plus, the price was steep: 200 RMB per boat (for just the two of us).

So we changed plans and headed to Camel Island (Luo Tuo Dao) instead. The boatman said Camel Island and Heart Island were similar, offering views of about two-thirds of the lake. The boat fare was 100 RMB.

On the boat, I finally tasted the water of Lugu Lake—so clear you could see straight to the bottom. I drank quite a bit. The boatman said the water's visibility reaches 150 meters! I took two more gulps.

When I stepped onto the island, I couldn't help but let out a shout of excitement. I took a "professional" photo—I prefer well-composed, lively shots that capture the scene naturally, regardless of how I look in them. We stayed on Camel Island for a long time, waiting for the right light and finding the best angles. The boatman started to worry I'd fallen into the water.

The Lake Loop Tour: Every Frame a Desktop Wallpaper

On the third day, we hired a private car to circle the lake—200 RMB for the whole day. We visited every scenic spot.

Hard Lesson Learned: I packed too many short sleeves and shorts, bringing only one jacket. I ended up wearing that jacket the entire time. On the last day, I stubbornly wore a short-sleeved shirt—cold be damned!

Lunch at Dazui Village

We had lunch at Dazui Village (Big Mouth Village)—three of us plus the driver, again around 100 RMB total.

Yang Erche Namu Memorial Hall and Temple

The memorial hall itself wasn't very interesting, but I loved the temple above it. I took many photos and felt like I was in Tibet for a moment. I watched an elderly woman walk circles around the temple, spinning prayer wheels—maybe that's what faith looks like. Prayer flags fluttered in the wind, creating a vibe that was both serene and unexpectedly playful.

Small Luoshui Village and the Illusion of the Sea

When the sun was at its strongest, it didn't feel harsh while I was outside—but I discovered the sunburn later. Sunscreen is absolutely essential! From certain angles, you might find yourself wondering: "Is this a sea?"

The Marriage Bridge and Grass Sea

The Marriage Bridge (Zou Hun Qiao) was too crowded, and after seeing so much beauty, it felt underwhelming. But the Grass Sea (Cao Hai) beneath the bridge was astonishingly beautiful. Boat rides on the Grass Sea were cheap—10 RMB per person for a short loop. You can actually step onto the grass; it's soft and won't let you sink, though water seeps up through it. Quite an experience.

Luowa Pier

Our last stop was Luowa Pier. I was very satisfied with the composition and mood of this photo.

Accommodation and Departure: A Final Farewell

We spent our last night in Lugu Lake Town, close to the bus station. The guesthouse was run by locals, and the conditions were very average—yet it was more expensive than our place in Lige. After much bargaining, we got it down to 160 RMB; other places were asking 200-300 RMB. I suspect those prices are for "grown-ups" who don't bother reading travel guides.

I took a photo in town that looked like a car advertisement. That day, I suddenly felt like singing: "You are the most beautiful cloud in my sky..."

Panoramas and Summary: A Place Beyond Words

Finally, here are a few panorama shots (stitched from 4-6 consecutive photos):

• Panorama 1: Lige Island at dusk
• Panorama 2: Camel Island
• Panorama 3: Small Luoshui Village

Overall, Lugu Lake is a beautiful, laid-back place. You can sleep in, go boating, and wander around without any rush.

A Few Final Reminders: 1. Clothing: If you're going in May, don't just pack short sleeves—I made that mistake after seeing photos in travel guides showing people in t-shirts 2. Sunscreen: In Dunhuang, the sun was intense, so I applied plenty of sunscreen. But at Lugu Lake, the sun didn't feel harsh while I was out—and I ended up with a sunburn. A month later, the tan lines were still clearly visible—and I'd only worn short sleeves for one day

Afterword: The Importance of Meaningful Record-Keeping

Starting with this travelogue, I realized that the meaning of travel runs through my veins. When someone asked me about details from a trip six months earlier and I couldn't remember most of them, I decided I needed to record these memories properly.

From then on, all my travelogues have carried the 【Miao Originals】 prefix—both to distinguish them and to remind myself to take them seriously. I've since revised my earlier travelogues—adjusting formatting, refining fonts, adding photos, and changing music.

If you enjoyed this piece, feel free to follow me: - Sina Weibo: @CallMeXiaoMiao - WeChat: miaophoto

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Lugu Lake—a place that needs no further description. Some beauty transcends words. You simply need to go, and let yourself be awed.