Located in the mountainous ranges between Yunnan and Sichuan provinces about 200 kilometers from Lijiang, Lugu Lake is like a shimmering pearl inlaid in the hills of the northwest plateau in Yunnan. Many ethnic communities, such as the Yi, Tibetan and the matriarchal Mosuo, live around the lake. The path around the lake is popular among backpacking hikers.[China.org.cn]