Walking Marriage Bridges

( ljluguhu.com.cn )

Updated: 2015-08-27

Located at the southeastern part of Lugu Lake, Walking Marriage Bridge is the only bridge on the Lake. There are dense reeds, so it is called “Grass sea” among locals.

Walking Marriage Bridge on Lugu Lake is called the Grass Sea by locals, because it looks like a sea of reeds looking from a distance. [Photo from ljluguhu.com.cn]

The Walking Marriage Bridge is where Mosuo people date each other. The Mosuo, who live by Lugu Lake have a unique custom called “walking marriages” which means they never get married.

In the day time, young men and women express affection through dancing or singing if they are interested on someone. If a guy fancies a lady, he will come to her “flower house”, the room of a grown up female in Mosuo, before midnight.

At the bridge, guys are called “Azhu” by their loved ones and ladies are called “Axia” by their loved ones. At night time, visitors can find the walking marriage bridge full of “Azhu” who come to date their loved ones.

Currently, there are two Walking Marriage Bridges. One has a history of nearly 100 years but has decayed. A newer one, just next to the old one, is more than 300 meters long and 80 centimeters higher than the surface of water. It has handrails on both sides.