Where is Heavenly Lake of Tianshan?
Where is Heavenly Lake of Tianshan? Tianchi, also known as Yaochi, is a top scenic spot in Xinjiang. It is located on the north side of Bogda Peak in Tianshan Mountain and is half-moon shaped. Tianchi...
Tianchi, also known as Yaochi, is a top scenic spot in Xinjiang. It is located on the north side of Bogda Peak in Tianshan Mountain and is half-moon shaped. Tianchi in Tianshan is a typical moraine lake formed during the Quaternary glacial period. Glacial movement eroded the valley and left moraine to block the valley after the glacier retreated, accumulating water to form a lake. Surrounded by mountains, the lake is clear and the scenery is magnificent. According to mythology, Tianchi is the Yaochi of the Queen Mother of the West and the residence of the gods in heaven. Therefore, Tianchi is regarded as the "lake in the sky", which echoes the name "Tianshan", so it is named "Tianshan Tianchi"
You can take the following luxury trains to visit this destination:
- 14 Days Xinjiang Luxury New Orient Express Tour May 2026
- 15 Days Xinjiang Luxury New Orient Express Tour June & July 2026
- 15 Days Xinjiang Luxury New Orient Express Tour Aug. & Sept. 2026
Best time to visit: May to October
Recommended time to visit: half a day to a full day
Opening hours: 08:30-20:00 (April to October); 09:30-19:00 (November to March of the following year)
Tickets: 95 yuan/person (April to October); 45 yuan/person (November to March of the following year); Shuttle bus: 60 yuan/person (round trip)
Address: Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang
The best time to visit Tianchi Lake in Tianshan
The best time to visit Tianshan Tianchi is from May to October. The weather is pleasant and the scenery is beautiful, which is suitable for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Tianshan Tianchi in May is short but charming. The lake is half ice and half water, like a mirror embedded in the mountains, presenting a "half lake and half mirror" wonder. At this time, the climate is mild, the ice and snow are beginning to melt, and all things are revived. It is a good time to feel the vitality of nature. It is recommended to take the cable car to Guanyuntai, overlooking the magnificent scenery of Tianchi and the surrounding mountains, and feel the freshness and tranquility of spring.
June to August is the summer of Tianshan Tianchi. The lake water is turquoise and clear, with blue sky, white clouds and pavilions scattered around. The lake is surrounded by flowers and green grass, which is the most colorful and bright. It is recommended to take a boat, which shuttles across the blue lake to enjoy the tranquility and comfort. If you like outdoor hiking, you can experience hiking to Bogda Peak, with magnificent scenery along the way;
September to October is the autumn of Tianshan Tianchi, the most colorful season of the year. The blue sky, fiery red/golden leaves, dark green tower forest, and turquoise lake are very spectacular. It is recommended to take a hiking + cableway tour. You can see the picturesque scenery around you on foot, and the scenery of the high-altitude cableway is panoramic, which is another flavor;
November to April, the winter Tianchi is transformed into an ice and snow wonderland, the lake is frozen, and the snow-capped spruce stands around. The sun shines on the white snow, shining with pure light. At this time, you can take the cable car to Maya Mountain and overlook the majestic figure of Bogda Peak. If you are lucky, you can also see the wonders of colorful clouds. In addition, the ski resort near Tianchi is also a good place to play in winter, suitable for ski enthusiasts to enjoy themselves.
Transportation to Tianchi Scenic Area:
Tourists need to transfer to the sightseeing bus at the entrance of the scenic area. Because the entrance is about 35 kilometers away from Tianchi, you need to pay extra to take the sightseeing bus after purchasing the ticket. It is recommended that you choose a window seat, where you can enjoy the scenery of Qianlong Lake (West Xiaotianchi), Folk Custom Park and Kazakh Mongolian Yurts along the way
Arriving at Tianchi
The sightseeing bus will stop at the terminal after 40 minutes of driving. You can choose to: walk about 800 meters (10 minutes) to Tianchi or take an electric car (10 yuan/person) directly to the lakeside;
The lakeside trail is about 12.6 kilometers long. If you walk, it takes 4-5 hours to complete the lakeside trip.
Sightseeing by boat: If you have a sightseeing by boat during your visit, you are really lucky. You can take a boat around the lake, which takes about 45 minutes. Of course, there is also a fee, 100 yuan/person.
Climbing by cableway: If you want to reduce your physical expenditure, you can choose to take the cableway to climb the mountain, which can go directly to Maya Peak. You can see Bogda Peak from the observation deck on the top of the mountain.
More travel recommendations
In Xinjiang, a large tourist destination, Tianchi is just one of the attractions. There are many more places and routes to recommend to you. I hope you have a wonderful journey in China.
