Lashi Lake

Introducing Lashi Lake
Lashi Lake is situated 8 km west of Lijiang and covers an area of about 9 square kilometers. In the language of Naxi, Lashi means “New Basin”. With an altitude of 2,500 meters above the sea level, Lashi Lake is the largest plateau lake in Lijiang area as well as an important habitat for over 70 species of migratory birds.

Lashi Lake Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: La Shi Hai 拉市海
• Best Time to Visit: December to February
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 2 to 3 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Naxi Culture, Architecture
• Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY 30
• Address: Lashihai, Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Lijiang, Yunnan

What to expect at Lashi Lake

Lashi Lake tops over any lake for its high diversity of water-bird species in Northwest Yunnan. In winter, Lashi Lake becomes be the cozy home to tens of thousands of migratory birds including black-necked crane, whooper swan and black stork etc.

Rich in cultural and biological diversity, the Lashi Lake watershed is home to two minority ethnic groups, the Naxi and the Yi, and provides critical habitat for the endangered black-necked crane. The watershed is also the primary water supply to a large downstream population and the rapidly growing tourism industry in the historic city of Lijiang.

Lashi Lake provides habitat for 198 bird species, 77 of which are migratory shorebirds. This area has the greatest abundance of bird species in Yunnan. As many as 80,000 birds migrate to this wetland during winter. Three are National First-Ranked Protection species: the black stork, black-necked crane and hooded crane. The black-necked crane is considered globally vulnerable and is distributed only in southwest China. This species is now rare, breeding on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and northwest Sichuan and wintering in wet, cultivated areas of southern Tibet, Yunnan and Guizhou.

How to get to Lashi Lake
• Take bus 31 or 32 from Lijiang Old Town and get off at Anzhongcun Station.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Lijiang to Lashi Lake.

Additional travel advice on Lashi Lake
• There are several horse ranches nearby the lake. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes, take care of yourself and your belongings while taking horse-riding activities.
• Please wear sunscreen, hat and sunglasses to prevent sunburns.