The stunningly serene view at Lugu Lake forms a perfect backdrop for the warm-hearted and enigmatic Mosuo people who call the area home. Lugu Lake and its dramatic setting are hidden away in the mountains along the border of Sichuan and Yunnan. The road which carves its way through the mountains from Lijiang leaves travelers' mouths agape. The relative seclusion afforded by the mountains has allowed many Yi and Mosuo villages in the region to remain largely uninfluenced by the western world and to an extent, even modern Han China. Hike around to the many scenic lake views and quiet villages in the hills, relax in some natural hot springs, or hop in a local "pig trough" boat to the beckoning islands in the middle of the lake. The fresh, cool air, minimal local population and remarkably laidback pace by the lakeside make Lugu Lake a one-of-a-kind destination.