Day trip from Urumqi
Tianchi Lake
天山天池
A crescent-shaped alpine lake at 1,910 meters in the Tianshan range, framed by spruce forests and the glaciers of Bogda Peak.
Sitting nearly 2,000 meters above sea level in Fukang City, just outside Urumqi, Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) is a glacial alpine lake tucked beneath the snow-capped triple summit of Bogda Peak. Its deep turquoise water, dense Tianshan spruce forests, and cool mountain air offer a sharp contrast to the arid basins surrounding it. Steeped in Chinese mythology as the Jade Pool of the Queen Mother of the West, the valley blends high-mountain scenery with local Kazakh pastoral culture.
A single full day is plenty for most visitors. Rather than staying at the lake, base yourself in downtown Urumqi around the Tianshan or Saybagh districts, where you will find better hotels and Uighur dining near the International Grand Bazaar. From Urumqi, Tianchi pairs well with nearby day trips to Nanshan Pasture or the desert oases of Turpan, and fits naturally onto a Silk Road route linking Kashgar, Yining, and Dunhuang. It is ideal for travelers wanting accessible alpine views and light boardwalk hikes, though solitary backcountry trekkers may find the shuttle buses and main viewing decks overly commercialized.
Updated 24 October 2026
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Plan your trip, freeHighlights
Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), Maya Mountain (Horse Teeth Mountain), Horse Riding Trails +2
Highlights
Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), Maya Mountain (Horse Teeth Mountain), Horse Riding Trails +2
01Heavenly Lake (Tianchi)
The main crescent-shaped alpine lake stretches for nearly five square kilometers and reflects the snow-covered ridges of Bogda Peak. You can take a boat cruise across the turquoise water or follow the wooden boardwalks along the forested western shore.
必看02Maya Mountain (Horse Teeth Mountain)
Reached via a scenic shuttle and steep cable car ride above the main lake, this 3,056-meter ridge is famous for its jagged volcanic rock formations. The summit walkways provide a commanding bird's-eye panorama of Heavenly Lake and the glaciers of Bogda Peak.
必看03Horse Riding Trails
Local Kazakh herders lead guided horseback rides along dirt trails winding through the dragon spruce forests and alpine meadows bordering the lake. It is a relaxed way to get away from the crowded main ferry pier and explore the quieter valley slopes.
04Temple of the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu Temple)
Perched on the northeastern shore of the lake, this Taoist shrine honors the mythological goddess said to have bathed in these waters. You can reach it via a lakeside walking path or short boat shuttle for quiet views looking back across the water.
05West and East Little Heavenly Lakes
Located along the forested gorge trail just below the main lake, these two smaller emerald pools are fed by mountain waterfalls and snowmelt. Walking the shaded boardwalk past West Little Heavenly Lake on your way up or down breaks up the shuttle bus ride.
Travel tips
Pack warm layers year-round, Keep your passport handy, Agree on horse riding terms first +1
Travel tips
Pack warm layers year-round, Keep your passport handy, Agree on horse riding terms first +1
Pack warm layers year-round
At nearly 2,000 meters (and over 3,000 meters atop Maya Mountain), temperatures at the lake are typically 10 to 15 degrees Celsius cooler than in Urumqi, and mountain winds pick up quickly even in July.
Keep your passport handy
Like most travel in Xinjiang, security checkpoints and park ticket gates require your physical passport for identity verification. Foreigners can buy tickets at the visitor center window rather than fighting with local booking apps.
Agree on horse riding terms first
If you hire a horse from local herders, confirm the exact route and duration before mounting so there is no confusion over whether you are paying by the hour or for a set loop.
Walk away from the main dock
Most tour groups congregate around the main plaza and boat pier before turning back. Follow the shaded wooden walkway toward the Xiwangmu Temple or down toward the waterfalls to enjoy the lake in peace.
How to get to Tianchi Lake
Most travelers visit from Urumqi, the regional transport hub served by Urumqi Diwopu International Airport and Urumqi Railway Station, which has high-speed rail links to Turpan (about 1 hour) and Lanzhou. From central Urumqi, the Tianshan Tianchi ticket gate in Fukang is roughly a 1.5-hour drive northeast via expressway. Direct tourist buses depart daily from Urumqi parks such as Hongshan and People's Park, or you can hire a private car for the day. From the main visitor center, mandatory park shuttle buses wind up the mountain valley for another 35 to 40 minutes to reach the lakeshore.
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