Deep in the Hengduan Mountains on the border of Yunnan and Sichuan lies a plateau pearl embraced by mountains——Lugu Lake. This fault-depression lake, located at an altitude of 2,690 meters, is half in Ninglang, Yunnan, and half in Yanyuan, Sichuan. With a water transparency of 12 meters, a mirror-like lake surface and unique Mosuo customs, it has become a secret paradise in the hearts of countless people. Its beauty is hidden in the hazy morning mist, in the brilliant ripples of light, in the tranquility of the starry sky, and even more integrated into the symbiotic picture of humanity and nature.
Morning Mist Over the Lake: Ink Wash Painting Comes to Life
The morning of Lugu Lake is awakened by thin mist. As dawn breaks, mist like light yarn rises slowly from the lake surface, spreads over the wooden houses on the shore, and winds around the distant Gemu Goddess Mountain. At this time, the lake surface is calm and undisturbed, like a huge piece of colored glaze, gently embracing the shadows of mist, mountains and boats. It's hard to tell whether the water is in the mist or the mist is in the water. Liwubi Island and Heiwa'e Island in the center of the lake loom faintly, like a fairyland, attracting early-rising photographers to set up their cameras, fearing to disturb this fragile tranquility.
As the first ray of morning light breaks through the clouds, a golden halo gilds the Gemu Goddess Mountain, and the mist gradually disperses. The Mosuo people row their unique pig trough boats into the center of the lake. The oars cut through the water, stirring up circles of ripples and startling several egrets to dance gracefully. Where the boat passes, the underwater Ottelia acuminata is clearly visible. This unique aquatic plant of Lugu Lake is dotted in the blue waves like stars, forming an interesting contrast with the pleated skirts of the Mosuo girls on the boat. At this moment, Lugu Lake has both the artistic conception of ink wash painting and dynamic vitality, and every scene is intoxicating.
Blue Water with Affection: Ecological Picture Shows Vitality
The most touching beauty of Lugu Lake is its pure blue water. As the third deepest freshwater lake in China, the water quality here has always maintained the national surface water Class I standard. The lake water is blue and transparent, showing a dreamy blue-green color on sunny days, known as the "Plateau Sapphire". Walking on the ecological plank road of Luoshui Wharf, you can see flocks of black-headed gulls hovering overhead, occasionally diving to snatch bread crumbs from tourists' hands; on the distant shoals, water birds such as coots and red-crested pochards are foraging leisurely, forming a picture of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
From December to February every year is the migratory bird wintering period of Lugu Lake. At this time, the lake area has become a paradise for migratory birds. According to monitoring, 26 species of migratory birds have been found here, with a number of more than 17,000, including national first-class protected birds such as black-necked cranes. Thanks to the joint protection of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, the ecological environment of Lugu Lake has been continuously optimized, which not only protects this blue water, but also makes it an important biodiversity reserve on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. In the Caohai Wetland on the shore, reeds sway with the wind, green in summer and golden in autumn, outlining the vivid outline of the ecological Lugu Lake together with the clear lake water.
Golden Sunset: Lake and Mountains Shine with Afterglow
The dusk of Lugu Lake is a visual feast given by nature. As the best viewing spot, Goddess Bay is crowded with tourists who come specially at sunset. When the sun sets in the west, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkles on the lake surface, dyeing the lake water into a golden red, sparkling and dazzling. The distant mountains are reflected by the sunset glow, with distinct layers, and the nearby pig trough boats are moored quietly, with oars placed horizontally, forming a quiet and warm picture.
As the sky gradually darkens, the light and shadow on the lake surface constantly change, from golden yellow to orange red, then to pink purple, and finally gradually turn dark blue. The Mosuo villages on the shore light up their lights, and the outline of the wooden houses becomes gradually clear in the twilight. The villagers begin to prepare for the bonfire party, and the melodious singing comes from afar, interweaving with the sound of the lake waves, full of strong ethnic customs. At this moment, Lugu Lake is less quiet than in the morning, but more human fireworks, but it is still so beautiful that people are fascinated.
Bright Starry Sky: Encounter Shooting Stars in the Dark Secret Land
When night falls completely, Lugu Lake takes on a different look. Thanks to the unique dark night resources, it has become an excellent stargazing resort. Away from the light pollution of the city, the night sky is extremely clear. The sky is full of stars inlaid on the deep blue sky like diamonds, and the Milky Way is clearly visible, as if within reach. During the annual Geminid meteor shower, countless astronomy enthusiasts come specially. It can record 120 shooting stars streaking across the night sky every hour, which is extremely shocking.
Many homestays by the lake have launched starry sky rooms. Through the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, tourists can lie on the bed and enjoy the beauty of the changing stars. In the dead of night, the only sounds in the ears are the sound of the lake water hitting the shore and the occasional barking of dogs in the distant villages. Lugu Lake under the starry sky is quiet and sacred, making people forget the noise of the world and get unprecedented peace of mind. Here, it seems that we can understand the deep affection of the Mosuo people who regard Lugu Lake as their "Mother Lake", and also understand their view of the universe that respects nature and achieves harmony between man and nature.
The beauty of Lugu Lake is a gift from nature and nourished by humanity. The mountains, water, mist and stars here are full of poetry everywhere; the Mosuo customs and ecological vitality here are all vivid and memorable. Whether it is the ink wash artistic conception in the morning mist or the quiet depth under the starry sky, Lugu Lake, with its unique charm, makes every visitor yearn for it and linger on and forget to return. This plateau pearl is shining with eternal light on the Yunnan-Sichuan land in its purest posture.
