Scenic Lugu Lake is located in the mountainous north of Yunnan Province, around 200km away from the tourist hotspot of Lijiang. The area is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and the fascinating and unique culture of the local Mosuo people.
The Mosuo are one of the last practising matriarchal societies in the world. Families are led by the oldest female relative, and houses and property are passed down through the female line. The most intriguing aspect of Mosuo culture to most outsiders is the concept of a ‘walking marriage’. Many Mosuo women do not marry in the traditional sense, but may have a male partner visit her or even live in her home for a time. Any children would stay with the woman even after the marriage is ended. The Mosuo people still retain many of their unique customs, although with the development of the region they are now becoming more modern.