Exploring Xinjiang’s Heavenly Lake: A Serene Natural Wonderland
Xinjiang Tianchi, or the Heavenly Lake, is a popular glacial lake attraction located at the northern foot of the Bogda Mountains, the Bogda Peak. It is in the eastern section of the Tianshan Mountains, 30 kilometers south of Fukang City in Changji Prefecture, Xinjiang, and 45 kilometers east of Urumqi. To refine your China Silk Road Travel experience, come to Xinjiang Heavenly Lake, which marks a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural significance.
Xinjiang Heavenly Lake Facts
- In Chinese: 天池 (Tianchi)
- Type: Nature & Parks, Hiking, World Natural Heritage Site, Mountains
- Best Time to Visit: August – October
- Recommended Visiting Time: Half a day
- Open Hours: 9:00 – 19:30 (April – October); 10:00 – 18:00 (November – March Next Year)
- Tickets: ¥95/person (April – October); ¥45/person (November – March Next Year); shuttle bus: ¥60/person (round – trip)
- Address: Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, about 82 kilometers from Urumqi, Xinjiang
- Suited to: Everyone
Introduction to Heavenly Lake
Renowned for its magnificent natural scenery and long history, Xinjiang is a must-visit destination along the silk road for anyone who loves natural beauty and life. At the time when you set foot on the Xinjiang tours and experience its fairy-tale-like landscapes, you forget all your worries. The Tianchi Lake in Urumqi stands out among the many attractions in Xinjiang. Here, you can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but also take a look into Chinese myths and legends.
As a famous lake in Xinjiang, the Tianchi Lake was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2013. According to legend, the large Tianchi is the foot basin of the Queen Mother of the West, while the two smaller Tianchis are her dressing mirrors. In June 2015, the myth of the Queen Mother of the West at Tianshan Tianchi was included in the fourth batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects in China.
At the Heavenly Lake, visitors can enjoy the peaceful lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains in the trip to Xinjiang. On the grasslands covered with mountain flowers, Kazakhs set up white felt tents, and the aroma of milk tea, grilled mutton, and hand-grabbed meat attracts tourists to stop and taste.
Tianshan Mountains
The Tianshan mountain range stretches for 2500 kilometers, spanning the heart of Asia and serving as a natural boundary between the Tarim Basin and the Junggar Basin. The Tianchi Lake in Urumqi, Xinjiang, is located on the slopes of Bogda Peak, the highest peak in the eastern section of the Tianshan, with a flat elevation of 1928 meters. Typically, when people visit Xinjiang, their first stop is to see Tianshan Tianchi. It is clear and serene, with ever-changing beauty; surrounded by mysterious and romantic legends, it leaves visitors in awe and fascination, as if they are in a fairyland.
Why Visit Heavenly Lake
The Tianshan Tianchi covers a total area of 548 square kilometer and contains 8 major scenic spots and 15 scenic groups, with a total of 38 attractions. It is a typical mountainous natural landscape in the arid northwest region of China offering a sense of serenity along the China Silk Road tours.
The Xinjiang Heavenly Lake scenic area is characterized by complete vertical natural landscape belts, snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and alpine lakes. Additionally, it also contains rich cultural connotations, including the myth of the Queen Mother of the West, religious beliefs, and unique ethnic customs. Hence, it is fair to say that the Tianchi in Xinjiang is a perfect site for sightseeing, scientific exploration, adventure, leisure, fitness, and ethnic cultural appreciation.
Humanitarian resources are always of international significance. Xinjiang Tianchi scenic area showcases five major culture resources: 1) the Xiwangmu culture centered on the history of the Queen Mother of the West’s Yaochi. 2) the martial arts culture with Bogda Peak as the background. 3) the Silk Road ethnic folk culture evidenced by ancient tombs and rock paintings. 4) the scientific culture highlighting unique geological structures and biodiversity. 5) the celebrity culture enriched by the poetry, calligraphy, and anecdotes left by famous people.
Best Things to Do in the Heavenly Lake
Tianchi Excursion
The Qianlong Gorge Trail, located on the uphill section of the Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area, is 1.5 kilometers long with an elevation difference of 800 meters. It is a path that visitors can take for a hike to reach the Xinjiang Tianchi lakeside. In winter, the Qianlong Gorge Trail is lined with lush spruces and a variety of rime and snow formations, attracting tourists from all over to immerse themselves in the mountains and waters, experiencing the wonders of the Qianlong Gorge in winter.
Take Photo in the Heavenly Lake
In the winter, everything is covered in silver and white in Tianchi. It is when the heavenly lake becomes a favorite destination for travel enthusiasts. Walking along the wooden boardwalk of Qianlong Gorge, you enter a world of snow. The ice caps and moss create a beautiful contrast and wonders of nature that people all marvel at. According to locals, many photography enthusiasts brave the cold and come to Qianlong Gorge specifically to capture the beautiful images of moss under the ice caps and the flowing water.
Enjoy the Boat Tour
Choose a boat to enjoy the beauty of the lake. If you want fast fun, pick a speedboat. It makes lots of water spray and you’ll feel the lake’s power.
For relax, take a tour boat. It goes slow and quiet, so you can enjoy the lake and the pretty things around it.
Xinjiang Heavenly Lake Travel Tips
Weather
The best time to visit Tianshan Tianchi is from June to October, when the weather is comfortable and the scenery is beautiful. However, it is a suitable destination all year round. In spring, the lake is half water and half ice, creating a picturesque mirror-like effect. During summer, the lake is a vibrant green, surrounded by flowers and lush grass, ideal for boating and hiking to Bogda Peak. Autumn offers rich colors with blue skies, red and golden leaves, and green forests, perfect for hiking and cable car rides. Winter is a frozen wonderland with snow-covered spruces and clear skies, offering cable car views of Bogda Peak and colorful clouds.
Accommodation
There are many accommodation options around Xinjiang Tianchi, including star-rated hotels (500-1500 yuan), homestays (100-600 yuan), and hostels (100-350 yuan). It is recommended to book in advance, as prices may vary during holidays and peak seasons. It is best to make reservations a month ahead of time. Choose your accommodation type based on your budget and needs, ensuring that it is conveniently located for easy Xinjiang travel.
How to Get to Heavenly Lake from Urumqi
There are some convenient ways to reach the Heavenly Lake, such as taking a bus from Urumqi to Heavenly Lake.
Departing from Urumqi Railway Station, you can take the No. 906 bus to the North Suburban Bus Station, where there are coaches to Fukang. After arriving in Fukang, you can take a minibus from the Fukang Bus Station directly to the Heavenly Lake.
Alternatively, you can take the No. 2 or No. 52 bus to the Hongshan Hotel, where you can find a direct tourist bus to the Heavenly Lake.
If you arrive in Urumqi by plane, you can take the No. 51 bus from the Urumqi Airport bus stop to Yingbin Road. Then, take a coach to Changji, which takes about 30 minutes. From there, you can take a direct bus from Changji City to Tianshan Heavenly Lake.
Nearby Attractions
- The Xinjiang Grand Theater: The theater is the largest investment in a Silk Road-themed theater in China. It features the largest indoor performance stage in the country and is also the tallest steel dome structure in China. A China Silk Road travel would be incomplete without a visit to the Xinjiang Grand Theater.
- Nanshan Pastures: Nanshan Pastures, a provincial scenic spot designated in 1989, attract a stream of domestic and international visitors. With distant views of snow-capped peaks and forests, and close-up views of grasslands, Nanshan Pastures rise as a highlight of the trip to Xinjiang.
