The Heart of Lugu Lake Reimagined

Vidula Kotian WordsDate 29 July 2025

Perched at 2,690 meters above sea level in the Hengduan Mountains, where Sichuan meets Yunnan, The ArcadiaPlace, Lugu Lake opens at the end of August as a new beacon of thoughtful hospitality. 

Nestled on the lesser-traveled Sichuan side of the famed “Pearl of the Plateau,” the hotel invites you into a serene world framed by the sacred peaks of Gemu Goddess and Houlong God Mountains and infused with centuries of Mosuo cultural legacy.

The hotel’s location—within the Lugu Lake National Scenic Area and beside two ancient Mosuo villages—offers more than just stunning views. Here, you’re immersed in the rhythm of a matriarchal society, where grandmother houses and age-old traditions continue to shape daily life. Children take their mother's surname, property is passed down through the female line to ensure the continuity of matriarchal heritage, and maternal uncles play a central role in raising and protecting children.

Transformed from three nearly abandoned lakeside villas, the new architecture follows soft, organic curves that mirror the surrounding terrain. The architects behind the project, Imago, describe the hotel’s form as resembling a gestating fetus—a symbol of harmony between humanity and the natural world. This reverence for nature is echoed throughout the property, reflecting the Mosuo people's deep connection to the land and their sincere love for mountains and rivers.

That sensitivity flows through every detail of ArcadiaPlace. Traditional Mosuo hearths warm the lobby, while guest rooms draw from village craftsmanship, incorporating symbolic wooden columns and intricate latticework inspired by Mosuo embroidery and cultural symbols. Locally sourced materials—such as rammed red earth and jade-green ceramics—root the architecture firmly in place, evoking the texture and tone of the landscape.

In partnership with MoWA—China’s first Women’s Art Museum—ArcadiaPlace also becomes a cultural incubator. Resident artists explore Mosuo matrilineal traditions, such as the symbolic male and female pillars, as starting points for creative expression. Guests are invited to connect with the region through immersive activities: foraging for wild mushrooms, crafting incense, stargazing, copying scriptures, and joining in cloud-watching hikes or sunset viewings.

Whether soaking in panoramic views from the wellness area or walking beside the mirror-like lake, ArcadiaPlace offers a rare invitation—to live in sync with nature, culture, and time itself.