Photo Guide to China - Lugu Lake

Zuosuo is the northern shore of Lugu Lake. Less developed than its southern counterpart, it's in the midst of massive construction. New shops. New restaurants. A new village square. Diesel gas fumes waft in the air as construction vehicles blast up the single main road. Luckily the children, indifferent and unaware, find happiness and curiosity through the mere essence of being.

From southwest china the mosou tribe is one of the last remaining groups that continues practicing open marriage or “walking marriage.” They fall in love and they love, but only at night. In the morning the guy goes home and farms. If a baby happens to be, the sisters and mother and other people give it the love they need. Perfection?

But all is changing at Lugu Lake. At the moment, only the Mosou are allowed to swim in the lake. There are only two boats with motors on the lake, the rest of the ‘boats’ are powered by the blood and sweat of the Mosou men. Rowing, two and a half hours from one side to the other. It’s pristine.

However, within months a three star five hundred room hotel will be ready for China’s new money. The lake will change and be infiltrated by the Nouvo rich. It will be much less pure. But for now, there is nothing but beauty.

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Lugu Lake & The Mosou     Temples, Shanghai, Kashgar