National park · China
Lugu Lake泸沽湖 Lugu Lake
Visit Lugu Lake for a day: take a canoe to the central island (≈¥50) and hike the surrounding mountains (free), or stay overnight in Luoshui (¥40‑70 per night) during low season.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
approximate
Established
2020
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
- Southwest China ↗Tibet (Lhasa, Shigatse) needs a permit arranged through a licensed agency before you fly; you cannot buy it on arrival.
- Southwest China ↗Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to a foreign card covers almost everything; small-town stalls may still want cash.
- Southwest China ↗Shangri-La (3,200 m), Litang (4,000 m) and Lhasa (3,650 m) need a slow first day; do not fly straight up and hike.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²)
- Lake covers about 50 km² at 2 690 m altitude; five islands and three peninsulas.
- Established
- 2020
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- Not needed
Lugu Lake straddles the Yunnan‑Sichuan border, offering clear high‑altitude waters, Mosuo cultural sites, and largely undeveloped mountain trails.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2020.
Size and age
50 km² (19 sq mi)19 sq mi (50 km²) · national park since 2020
Lake covers about 50 km² at 2 690 m altitude; five islands and three peninsulas.
Why go
- Lake at 2690 m altitude with clear water and five islands.
- Mosuo matriarchal culture and museums around the lake.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear, fewer tourists
- FebWinter, low crowds
- MarEarly spring, mild
- AprPleasant weather, blooming
- MayWarm, lake still clear
- JunRainy season starts
- JulRain, possible road closures
- AugRainy, mud on trails
- SepRain eases, cooler
- OctAutumn colors, dry
- NovCool, clear
- DecCold, quiet
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake birds and occasional monkeys on mountain trailsMar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lijiang
Mini‑van or bus, 4–5 h; road paved since 2017
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Xichang
Mini‑van or bus, similar travel time
≈5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Luoshui town (Yunnan side) | Main tourist hub, hotels, restaurants, museum | Open year‑round |
| Lige village (north side) | Quiet village, some hotels, lake views | Open year‑round |
| Lake shoreline | Canoe launches, bike paths, hiking trails | Free access |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; lake centre approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canoe ride to central island | CNY 50 (≈ US$7) | person | Negotiable price |
| Bicycle/e‑scooter rental | CNY 20–150 (≈ US$3–25) | person | Depends on type and duration |
| Museum entry | Free | person | Free |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Lake entry no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥50≈ US$7
- CN¥20–150≈ US$3–25
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Camping
- Not authorized in the lake area
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish
Where to stay
Near the park
Luoshui hotels
Rooms ¥40‑70 per night, basic amenities
Near the park
Lige guesthouses
Quiet village lodging, similar price range
Safety
Pickpocketing low
Road conditions medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main town areas reachable by car; trails are unpaved and steep, not suitable for limited mobility
Visiting lightly
- Use designated canoe routes; avoid littering
- Support locally owned hotels and restaurants
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Lugu Lake?
There is no general entry fee; you pay for activities such as a canoe ride (≈¥50) or bike rental (¥20‑150).
What are the best hikes in Lugu Lake?
The surrounding mountain trails vary from 2‑6 h; the most popular start from Luoshui and offer views of the lake and islands. Check trail conditions in rainy months.
When is the best time to visit Lugu Lake?
April‑May and October‑November give clear weather and fewer crowds; winter months are cold but quiet.
Can I camp by the lake?
Camping is not authorized in the lake area; stay in nearby guesthouses or hotels.
How do I get to Lugu Lake from Lijiang?
Take a mini‑van or bus; the trip takes 4‑5 hours on a paved road.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go