Stargazing with A-Tu | Boat ride on the lake under the starry sky at night

A Tu's Star Invitation:

"My name is A Tu, and I'm from Inner Mongolia. I like stargazing and I like to drive to places where I can see the stars. In Dali, my favorite place is West Lake, and I will take a boat to the center of the lake. Once a month, I hope to take you to the Genyen Snow Mountain in Tibet to watch the stars on the plateau."

A-Tu's invitation was filled with her love for the stars and his passion to share this experience with anyone willing to join her.

A producer came here because of his reputation, and they shot a documentary about Atu's stargazing in the summer:

Blog written by guest Wawa

Stargazing at West Lake: Another highlight moment full of uncertainty

West Lake Stargazing Experience:

journey:

• 5:30 PM : Depart from Dali (time may vary depending on season).
• 6:30 PM : Enjoy dinner by the lake (over a brazier in the winter) while watching the changing night sky (we brought food from a nearby halal restaurant that we love. Their beef dish is amazing! Cost: about 50 RMB per person).
• 7:30 PM : Enjoy hot tea, fruit and snacks while waiting for the first star, planet or satellite to appear. As the sky darkens, we head to the deeper part of the lake to see the stars more clearly and use binoculars to explore the fainter and more distant stars.
• 8:30pm : We find a suitable location to take photos of people and stars together.
• 9:00 p.m .: Set up a telescope by the lake to observe stars that are invisible to the naked eye (the stars you see depend on the season).
• 9:30 PM : Return to a local farmhouse for a short rest before heading back.
• 10:30 PM : Return to Dali Ancient Town.

Important Tips:

• Please bring a warm, windproof jacket as the nights on the lake can be chilly.
• Key topics we will share include:
  • The romantic story of Cowherd and Weaver Girl.
  • Ancient Chinese astrology and its connection to the emperor.
  • The three dimensions, four symbols and twenty-eight constellations in Chinese astrological legend.
  • The seasonal movement of the constellations of the western zodiac.
  • Look for fairy-like celestial figures.

The stargazing experience on the lake begins:

The first time I met A Tu, she asked me, "How does it feel to watch the stars by the lake at night?" At that time, she had just left an astronomical institution and was preparing to work independently.

Without hesitation, I responded, “That’s awesome!”

My response was more than politeness; it came from an image that immediately popped into my mind: sitting in a boat at night, heading out on open water, surrounded by swaying reeds. The only sound was the gentle thump of the water. Overhead, the sky was filled with bright stars. Nearby, villages twinkled in the distance, while the majestic silhouette of Cangshan Mountain outlined the horizon. The scene felt magical—almost unreal.

The best things in life often feel "unreal." Whether it's a favorite book, a dreamlike relationship, an enchanting movie, or a passion you deeply love, these moments take you out of the ordinary and into another world. They allow you to escape the daily monotony and give you a breath of fresh air before returning to reality.

This vision led us to quickly plan our first attempt at this experience.

Real stargazing tour:

We chose an unusual time - 1am, late at night. A-Tu wanted us to see the moon rise over the mountains, the stars shining after the moon sets, and the Milky Way rising at dawn.

Night on the Lake:
Adu set off from the dock near the village in a small boat and took us into the lake under the cover of night. Xiaochun, the tailor, and Shuangshuang, who joined temporarily, were all fascinated by the constellations, the moon, the Big Dipper, and the Milky Way. They used the telescope on the boat to observe the moon and stars up close and asked many questions.

A Tu patiently explained, telling stories about the stars, the moon, and the Milky Way from the perspectives of modern astronomy and traditional Chinese astrology.

The Silence of the Lake:
The boat drifted into the center of the lake and we stopped beside the reeds. Occasionally, a bird would coo softly to break the silence, and sometimes a bird would startle and flutter its wings across the water. He Chen lay on the bow of the boat and looked up at the starry sky.

Even though I’m not particularly interested in astronomy, I was mesmerized by the experience—gliding over the silent lake at night, surrounded by darkness and immersed in soulful conversation. Without stargazing, I would probably never have a reason to go out to the lake at this time of year.

Due to the season and weather conditions, we were unable to see the Milky Way that night. But that’s not unexpected – things aren’t always perfect, and that’s part of the charm.

On the way back we took a different route, crossing the lake back to the village.

Final Thoughts:

Despite having to get up in the middle of the night, everyone enjoyed the trip. Maybe that’s the magic of stargazing: it takes us out of the ordinary and makes us realize the vastness of the universe and our connection to it.

I hope you will enjoy this stargazing tour too.