Tianchi Lake

### **Tianshan Tianchi Travel Guide: Exploring the Heavenly Lake Paradise, Experience the Fusion of Nature and Culture** --- ### **【Destination Introduction】** **Tianshan Tianchi** (Heavenly Lake) is located in Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, about 70 kilometers from Urumqi. It is a glacial moraine lake on the northern slope of Bogda Peak at an elevation of 1,910 meters. Legend has it that this is the "Jade Pool" where the Queen Mother of the West hosted King Mu of Zhou. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. - **Natural Scenery**: Snow-capped mountains, lakes, spruce forests, and meadows complement each other beautifully in all seasons: - **Spring and Summer** (May-September): Wildflowers cover the mountains, the lake water is azure blue, temperatures range from 15-25°C; - **Autumn and Winter** (October-April): Snow-capped mountain reflections, colorful forests, and in winter, the lake freezes over like a mirror. - **Cultural Heritage**: A blend of Kazakh traditions, Taoist culture, and mythological legends, making it an excellent destination combining both natural and cultural attractions. --- ### **【Preparation】** 1. **Essential Items** - **Clothing**: Light jacket + sun protection clothing in summer (large temperature differences in mountain areas), down jacket + windproof pants + gloves in autumn/winter; - **Footwear**: Non-slip hiking or athletic shoes (many boardwalks for hiking); - **Documents**: ID card (strict security checks in Xinjiang), student/senior ID (for ticket discounts); - **Others**: Sunscreen (SPF50+), sunglasses, thermos, power bank, small amount of cash (weak signal in some areas). 2. **Health Tips** - The lake is at high altitude; avoid strenuous exercise to prevent mild altitude sickness; - Those prone to motion sickness should bring medication (many winding mountain roads in the scenic area). --- ### **【Transportation Guide】** - **Self-driving (Recommended)**: - **From Urumqi**: Navigate to "Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area," take the Beijing-Xinjiang Expressway (G7) → S111 Provincial Road, about 1.5 hours direct; - **Parking**: Scenic area entrance parking lot 10 yuan/day, arrive before 9:00 AM during peak season. - **Public Transportation**: - **Urumqi → Tianchi**: 1. Take a bus from North Suburb Bus Station to Fukang City (15 yuan/person, 1 hour) → Transfer to scenic area shuttle (5 yuan, 30 minutes); 2. Direct bus from People's Park in Urumqi (60 yuan round trip, reservation required). - **Group Tours**: One-day tours from Urumqi (about 300 yuan/person including tickets + transportation, convenient and hassle-free). --- ### **【Tickets and Opening Hours】** - **Ticket Prices (Latest 2024)**: - **Peak Season (April-October)**: Entrance 95 yuan + Shuttle bus 60 yuan (mandatory); - **Off-season (November-March)**: Entrance 45 yuan + Shuttle bus 60 yuan; - **Discounts**: Seniors over 65, children under 1.3 meters free entrance (shuttle fee still applies). - **Opening Hours**: - Peak season: 08:30-19:30 (last entry 18:30); - Off-season: 09:30-18:00; - **Best Times**: Before 9 AM (fewer people, clear views), 1 hour before sunset (beautiful lighting). --- ### **【Key Attractions and Routes】** 1. **Shuttle Bus Route**: Visitor Center → Tianchi Lake (30-minute drive, passing through "Kazakh Cultural Village" where you can experience ethnic songs and dances). 2. **Classic Lake Tour (3-4 hours)**: - **Lakeside**: Visit the "Sea-Calming Needle" (thousand-year-old elm tree), take a boat ride (80 yuan/person) for a close view of Bogda Peak; - **Mayashan Cable Car** (220 yuan round trip): Ascend for a panoramic view of the lake, hike to the 3,056-meter observation deck; - **Queen Mother of the West Ancestral Temple** (25 yuan): Suspended on the eastern cliff of the lake, listen to mythological stories while overlooking the lake and mountains; - **Flying Dragon Pool Waterfall**: Walk down the path for 20 minutes to experience cool mist and rainbow phenomena. 3. **In-depth Experiences**: - **For Hiking Enthusiasts**: Choose the "Mayashan-Dengganshan" route (requires 5-6 hours, bring plenty of food and water); - **Winter Exclusives**: Ice Carnival (skating, snowmobiling), snow mountain photography (best at sunrise and sunset). --- ### **【Nearby Attractions】** 1. **Jiangbulake Grassland** (3-hour drive): Golden wheat waves in summer, snowy pastures in winter; 2. **Urumqi City**: International Grand Bazaar (handicrafts + Xinjiang cuisine), Hongshan Park (panoramic city views); 3. **Gurbantunggut Desert** (2.5-hour drive): Desert sunset, camel riding experiences. --- ### **【Important Notes】** 1. **Scenic Area Regulations**: - Drones need prior registration (some areas prohibit flying); - Swimming and fishing prohibited to protect the water environment. 2. **Dining Suggestions**: - Bring simple meals (food in the scenic area is expensive), or try Kazakh yurt tea and hand-pulled lamb; 3. **Cultural Etiquette**: - Respect Kazakh customs, ask permission before photographing herdsmen; 4. **Weather Warnings**: - Mountain weather is changeable; bring rain gear in summer and be careful of slippery conditions in winter. --- ### **【Accommodation Recommendations】** - **Near the Scenic Area**: - **Budget Option**: "Tianchi Hotel" in Fukang City (200 yuan/night, 20-minute drive from the scenic area); - **Unique Experience**: Lakeside "Jade Pool Tribe" Kazakh yurts (400 yuan/package, including breakfast and dinner, advance booking required). - **Return to Urumqi**: Recommended locations along Metro Line 1 (such as Hongshan, Nanhu) for convenient next-day travel. --- ### **【Summary and Tips】** Tianshan Tianchi combines snow-capped mountains, lakes, forests, and culture, perfect for family trips, photography tours, and light hiking. - **Best Seasons**: June-September for summer escape, December-February for snow and ice experiences; - **Photography Tips**: - Capture morning mist over the lake at dawn, snow mountain sunset in the evening; - Sit on the right side of the shuttle bus to capture great shots of winding mountain roads with snow-capped mountains; - **Avoiding Pitfalls**: - Arrive early during peak season to avoid lines; - Souvenirs in the scenic area are overpriced; better to shop at Urumqi's Grand Bazaar. **Tip**: If time permits, connect with the Northern Xinjiang loop (Kanas, Hemu) to experience Xinjiang's diverse landscapes!