In the highland region of Yunnan province, Lugu Lake awakens each winter morning shrouded in an ethereal mist. As dawn breaks over the surrounding mountains, a timeless cultural tradition emerges from the fog. Local Mosuo ethnic community members navigate the tranquil waters in traditional dugout canoes, their ancient mountain songs reverberating across the lake’s surface.
The Mosuo boaters provide visitors with an immersive cultural experience, blending natural beauty with living tradition. The combination of the lake’s atmospheric winter fog and the haunting melodies creates a surreal spectacle that has become a signature attraction of the Lijiang area. This daily ritual represents more than tourism—it’s a preservation of Mosuo heritage and connection to their ancestral environment.
Photographers like Chen Fei have captured these mesmerizing scenes, showing how the Mosuo people maintain their cultural practices while sharing them with outsiders. The images reveal the perfect harmony between human activity and natural beauty, with the dugout canoes gliding effortlessly through the misty waters as songs echo against the mountainous backdrop.
The phenomenon has gained attention as both a tourist attraction and an example of cultural preservation. Visitors to the region can experience this atmospheric performance firsthand, gaining insight into the Mosuo way of life while witnessing one of Yunnan’s most breathtaking natural settings.