# Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) Scenic Area (天山天池风景区)

Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region · Northwest, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/tianshan-tianchi-heavenly-lake-scenic-area
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Opening hours:** 9:00–19:00 (April–October); 9:30–19:00 (November–March)
- **Time needed:** 4–6 hours
- **Getting there:** From the Beijiao Passenger Station (北郊客运站) in Urumqi, take a bus to Fukang. The fare is about ¥18.5 and the journey takes about 1.5 hours. Once in Fukang, minibuses run from the passenger station directly to the Heavenly Lake Scenic Area. The fare is about ¥5 and the trip takes about 20 minutes.
- **By car:** From Urumqi, take Shanghetan Road and keep heading north, passing through Miquan and Fukang. After the Fukang rest stop, follow the road signs to exit the expressway, then continue driving into the mountains to reach the scenic area.
- **Good for:** Hiking & Outdoors, Photography, Nature

## About Tianshan Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) Scenic Area

Tianchi, or Heavenly Lake, is the jade pendant at the waist of the Bogda snow peaks, 110 km from Urumqi. It sits at an altitude of 1,928 m, measures 3,400 m long and 1,500 m wide, and is roughly crescent-shaped, with grasslands and forests along its shores. Summer temperatures hover around 20°C, and in winter it becomes China's highest natural ice rink. The best time to visit is May to October. As Urumqi's most famous scenic spot, it has been developed to match its reputation. Almost everyone who comes to Xinjiang visits Tianchi, and it is hard to take a photo here without other visitors in it. The scenery outside the official tourist area is even more beautiful, but it is best to go with a local guide to avoid accidents.
Dingtian Sanshi (Three Stones Touching the Sky) 4 km west of Tianchi, in a canyon, stand three giant boulders at an altitude of 2,718 m. Also called Lamp Pole Mountain, they earned their name because in ancient times Taoist priests set up wooden poles on the rocks and hung eternal lamps there, so that the light could be glimpsed from over 100 li away in Urumqi. From the summit you can take in the full view of Tianchi and the Bogda snow peaks.
Dinghai Shenzhen (Divine Needle Pinning the Sea) The only large elm tree on the shore of Upper Tianchi, on the northern bank, is said to be the hairpin of Queen Mother of the West, placed there to frighten the dragon of Tianchi.
Nanshan Wangxue (Gazing at Snow on the Southern Mountains) Look south from the shore of Tianchi to admire the snow on the Bogda peaks.
Xishan Guansong (Viewing Pines on the Western Mountain) Explore the vast pine forests on the slopes southwest of Tianchi.
Haifeng Chenxi (Dawn over the Sea Peaks) Sunrise and sunset at Tianchi are both spectacular. To see this scene and the Longtan Biyue (Moon over Dragon Pool), you need to stay overnight on the shore of Tianchi.
Xuanquan Feipu (Hanging Spring and Flying Waterfall) A waterfall formed by the water flowing out of Tianchi, and the pool it collects in is called 'Little East Tianchi.'

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 822. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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