Changes, holds of the Mosuo people at Lugu Lake

At elevation 2,690 m, the 50-square-kilometer Lugu Lake lies at a junction of the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. The lake is famous for its good water quality, and the mysterious Mosuo people living near the lake retain a matriarchal society.

The Mosuo population stands at around 50,000 people. In recent years, the unique lake landscape and folk culture have drawn in tourists from home and abroad. The Mosuo life has changed a lot, but their cultural traditions and customs have not changed easily.

Meanwhile, the lakeside towns and villages in northwest Yunnan’s Ninglang Yi Autonomous County saw fast infrastructure buildup and tourism development, which were supported by local party committees and governments. 

Now the Ninglang Airport is put into service, and the Lijiang-Lugu Lake highway has opened to traffic. The traditional wooden houses became cultural relics, replaced by brand new villas. 

Children all attend schools, and 99% of the rural residents joined the medical-insurance program. Locals own cars, run inns and restaurants, and engage in e-commerce. 

In spite of the changes, local Mosuo people did not give up the matriarchal tradition, trying to pass on their authentic culture to the future generations. 

Source: Xinhua Net; trans-editing Wang Shixue