Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) in Xinjiang

Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) in Xinjiang

Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain is an alpine lake in Xinjiang, Northwest China. It is an alpine drift lake shaped in the Quaternary Glacier period.

Type: Bodies of Water, Nature & Parks, Sights & Landmarks
Chinese Name: 天池
Opening Hours: 9:00 - 19:30(April to October); 10:00 - 18:00(November to March)
Admission Ticket: April to October: ¥125/person; November to March: ¥60/person;
Recommended Travel Time: 2~3 hours
Best Time to Visit: May to August
Location:82 kilometers from Urumqi(距乌鲁木齐约82公里)

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Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain or Tianshan Tianchi National Geopark (新疆天山天池国家地质公园) is an alpine lake in Xinjiang, Northwest China. This Tianchi lies on the north side of the Bogda Shan range of the Tian Shan, about 30 kilometres south of Fukang and 45 kilometres east (straight-line distance) of Ürümqi. The lake is 1,907 metres above sea level, covering 4.9 square kilometres, 105 metres deep at the deepest point. It is an alpine drift lake shaped in the Quaternary Glacier period.

Heavenly Lake (Tianchi) is also known by other names such as “Yaochi” (瑶池), “Shenchi” (神池), and “Longtan” (龙潭). It is located approximately 40 kilometers southeast of Fukang City in the Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, and lies on the northern side of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains. The lake is about 110 kilometers from Urumqi City. Its surface elevation is 1910 meters, and it stretches 3.5 kilometers in length and 0.35 to 1.5 kilometers in width. The circumference of the lake is 10.98 kilometers, with an average depth of 60 meters and a maximum depth of 103 meters. The lake covers an area of 2.47 square kilometers, and its maximum area is 4.90 square kilometers. The lake has an average water storage of 130 million cubic meters, with the maximum capacity reaching 200 million cubic meters.

Climate and Seasonal Changes

Heavenly Lake is situated in a temperature inversion zone of the Tianshan Mountains, which causes the temperature to be relatively stable and mild. The average annual temperature is 2.55°C, with the highest monthly average in July reaching 15.9°C and the lowest in January at -12.4°C. Winter snowfall lasts for about 6 to 7 months, with the ice covering the lake reaching a thickness of over 1 meter. The lake experiences two water phases each year: a high water period from April to September and a low water period from September to April of the following year. The water level fluctuates between 10 and 13 meters, and the average water temperature remains around 7.4°C throughout the year.

Flora and Fauna

The region around Heavenly Lake is home to 24 species of mammals, 50 species of birds, and 6 species of amphibians, reptiles, and fish. Notable protected animals in the area include the snow leopard, northern goat, argali sheep, dark-bellied snowcock, and elk. The region also hosts a variety of plants, such as the Tianshan snow lotus, Xinjiang fritillary, Central Asian fairy lily, bitter bean, wild lily, goat’s stink horned moss, wild poppy, and a variety of other alpine flowers.

Geology and Formation

The formation of Heavenly Lake has been debated, with theories including glacial damming, ice-dam collapses, and glacial erosion. The lake’s current dam is primarily composed of glacial deposits (moraines). The area surrounding the lake is marked by rugged terrain, where the ice sheet eroded and fractured the underlying bedrock. The dam’s characteristic features make it one of the rare ice-dammed lakes in the world. This natural dam is situated on a steep landform at the junction of low and middle-high mountains, acting as a “threshold” that forms a natural barrier to the lake.

History and Cultural Significance

Heavenly Lake was included in the first batch of national key scenic areas by the State Council in 1982. In 1990, it was designated as an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program, specifically under the Bogda Peak Biosphere Reserve. In 2013, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Tianshan Mountain’s natural heritage.

Additional Details

Chinese Name: 天池

English Name: Heavenly Pool

Location: Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang

Area: 2.47 km²

Climate: Temperate continental climate

Main Attractions of Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain

Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain is about 3 kilometers long and averages about 600 or 700 meters wide. The lake surface is shaped like a half-moon and at its deepest point the water is about 100 meters deep. The clean blue lake is quietly tucked away among the mountains. It is surrounded by many rugged and forested valleys leading down from nearby peaks, which reach about 2,400 meters in altitude. The greenish-blue water here is radiant like jade, just like a pearl in Tianshan Mountain. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, where are full of straight and thick growing firs and spruces.

Resource Status

Animals

In the Heavenly Lake (天池) area, there are 24 species of mammals, 50 species of birds, and 6 species of reptiles, amphibians, and fish. The area is home to several nationally protected species, including the snow leopard (雪豹), the northern mountain goat (北山羊), the argali (盘羊), the dark-bellied snow grouse (暗腹雪鸡), and the sika deer (马鹿). [6]

Plants

The plant life in the Heavenly Lake (天池) area includes species such as the Tianshan snow lotus (天山雪莲), Xinjiang fritillaria (新疆贝母), Central Asian fairy herb (中亚天仙子), bitter locust bean (苦马豆), wild lily (野百合), goat-scented tiger’s ear (山羊臭虎耳草), wild poppy (野罂粟), Dangshen (党参), Junggar golden lotus (准噶尔金莲花), Tianshan rowan (天山花楸), tall broomrape (高枝假木贼), small-fruit white thorn (小果白刺), Xinjiang tulip (新疆郁金香), and many more. [11]

Tourism Resources

Honors Received

The Tianshan Heavenly Lake (天山天池) Scenic Area was designated as one of the first national key scenic areas by the State Council in 1982. In 1990, it was approved by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve for the International Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) under the Bogda Peak (博格达峰) Biosphere Reserve. In 2013, the Xinjiang Tianshan Heavenly Lake (新疆天山天池) Scenic Area was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. In June 2015, the myth of the West Queen Mother (西王母) of Tianshan Heavenly Lake (天山天池) was included in China’s fourth batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects.

Ma Ya Mountain (马牙山)

Ma Ya Mountain, with an elevation of 3056 meters, is located 4.5 kilometers southwest of the Heavenly Lake (天池) and connects to the southern part of Chan Deng Mountain (禅灯山). The mountain, which is about 5 kilometers long, has an area of 0.5 square kilometers that can be explored. It was shaped by ancient glaciers, with steep, vertical peaks that resemble a row of large horse teeth, which is how it got its name. On the northern side of the mountain, at the edge of the forest, there is a columnar stone forest formed by the weathering and erosion of columnar basalt. This is a unique geological feature of the Heavenly Lake (天池) Scenic Area. Ma Ya Mountain is the highest of the ten peaks surrounding the Heavenly Lake (天池), offering panoramic views of the lake to the north, Chan Deng Mountain to the east, and the snow-capped Bogda Peak (博格达峰) to the south.

Baiyang Gou Scenic Area (白杨沟景区)

Baiyang Gou Scenic Area is located on the eastern side of the San Gong He Valley, stretching for about 20 kilometers with a total area of approximately 76 square kilometers. This area features river valleys, forests, and grasslands. It contains one scenic group and two attractions: the Baiyang Gou Scenic Group, with river valley forests, and the snow lotus cultivation base. The region is a typical biodiversity hotspot, with a rich variety of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, numbering over 200 species. In the 1960s and 1970s, artificially planted spruce, birch forests, and wild mountain plants formed a mixed forest landscape, with contrasting colors and diverse tree shapes, making it a visually striking area.

Deng Gan Mountain Scenic Group (灯杆山景群)

The Deng Gan Mountain Scenic Group is located to the west of Heavenly Lake (天池) and has typical mid-mountain forest landscapes. Covering an area of 27.23 square kilometers, the scenic group includes Deng Gan Mountain, Da Xia Guo Di Keng (大小锅底坑), the Mountain God Temple ruins, and other attractions. Deng Gan Mountain, situated about 4 kilometers west of Heavenly Lake (天池), is the second-highest peak in the group. The main peak stands at an elevation of 2718 meters. From the summit, visitors can enjoy sweeping views of Heavenly Lake (天池), the Bogda Peak (博格达峰) to the east, and Urumqi to the south. According to the “Fukang County Place Name Map,” around 1928, there were two temples at the summit, where a pine pole was erected with a red lantern hanging from it, symbolizing peace and prosperity, which is how Deng Gan Mountain got its name.

Bogda Peak Scenic Area (博格达峰景区)

Located at the southeast end of Heavenly Lake (天池), the Bogda Peak Scenic Area covers an area of 189.92 square kilometers. The area is known for its glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and dense forest vegetation. The scenery includes glaciers, snow mountains, meandering streams, waterfalls, primitive forests, grassland wetlands, rock peaks, petroglyphs, and ancient tombs. The area is divided into three scenic groups and includes eight attractions. Due to its status as a modern glacier protection zone and an important water source, starting in June 2008, the management committee of Heavenly Lake (天池) has prohibited trekking or mountain climbing on Bogda Peak (博格达峰); visitors can only view it from a distance.

Hua Er Gou Scenic Area (花儿沟景区)

Hua Er Gou Scenic Area is centered around Hua Er Gou and extends north to Shimen and south to the San Gong Four-Level Hydroelectric Station. It is located in the shallow mountain zone of the San Gong River basin and features open terrain with winding topography. The area includes two scenic groups: the Hua Er Gou Scenic Group, which is named for its abundance of wildflowers, and the San Gong River Valley. The valley, about 3 kilometers long and 100 meters wide on average, is rich in natural wildflowers. It is a scenic area within the Heavenly Lake (天池) Scenic Area that is still under development.

Historical and Cultural Background

Origin of the Name

The name “Tianchi” (天池) comes from a memorial written by Mingliang, the Governor of Urumqi, in the 48th year of the Qianlong reign (1783) titled Ling Mountain Tianchi Tong Za Shui Qu Bei Ji (灵山天池统凿水渠碑记).

Myths and Legends

The Legend of the Cold Pine and Blood Sweat Grass (西山寒松和血汗草的传说)

There is a legend about the cold pine on the Western Mountains. It is said that the Queen Mother of the West (西王母) would bathe in Heavenly Lake every day, where the snowmelt water was said to contain the essence of the heavens, the earth, the sun, and the moon. This water was crystal clear and pure. The Queen Mother of the West grew more youthful and beautiful by the day, much to the envy of the Jade Maiden who attended her. One day, while the Queen Mother slept, the Jade Maiden snuck to the lake. As the morning sun rose, the lake glowed with golden light, and she couldn’t resist plunging in to swim. When the Queen Mother awoke and saw the Jade Maiden in the lake, she became furious and cursed her. The Jade Maiden’s long hair transformed into the green pines of the Western Mountain, known today as the “Cold Pines of Western Mountain” (西山寒松), where the pines are said to emit an eerie, chilling coldness.

As for the Blood Sweat Grass (血汗草), legend has it that the Queen Mother of the West created it to prevent trespassers from entering the lake. Anyone who came into contact with the plant would bleed uncontrollably, which made the area around the lake forbidden.

The Legend of the Three Pillars Holding Up the Sky (顶天三石的传说)

According to another legend, when the ancient god Gonggong (共工) struck the unshakable Mountain (不周山) and broke the sky, the heavens themselves were in danger of collapsing. To protect the sky and the Heavenly Lake, the Queen Mother of the West used her powers to split a peak of Mount Bogda (博格达山) into three massive stone pillars. These pillars supported the heavens and prevented them from falling. These three stone pillars, still standing today near the lake, are a symbol of the Queen Mother’s power.

The Legend of the White Dragon Gorge Waterfall (白龙峡瀑布的传说)

The White Dragon Gorge Waterfall (白龙峡瀑布) is said to have been caused by a mischievous little white dragon who tried to secretly watch the Queen Mother of the West bathe. As the dragon approached the lake, the Queen Mother transformed him into the waterfall, where his cries of regret can still be heard in the thundering sound of the falls.

The Ten Mysteries of Heavenly Lake

The Water Monster (水怪)

In November 2013, tourists from Guangdong and Taiwan reported seeing two unidentified water creatures in the lake. These creatures, with dorsal fins visible above the water, were about 1.5 to 2 meters long and created large ripples as they swam. Their identities remain a mystery, as sightings of water monsters in the area date back to 1976.
The Ancient Rock Paintings (远古岩画)

Several ancient rock paintings can be found near the lake, such as those depicting hunters and sheep in Xiaodonggou and a solar image at Ganggou. The origins of these paintings are still unknown, and it’s unclear which ancient ethnic group created them.
Where Are the Relics of the Arhats? (罗汉遗迹)

According to ancient records, there is a temple near the lake where the 18 Arhats are said to have meditated. The location of these relics remains a mystery.
The Elder in a Grey Robe Riding a White Camel (葛衣老人)

In 1906, it was reported that a man in a grey robe was seen riding a white camel on the mountains surrounding Heavenly Lake. This figure may have been a monk or a legendary figure, but the truth remains unclear.
Where Is the Site of Dharma’s Meditation? (达摩遗迹)

Dharma, a revered Buddhist monk, is said to have meditated on the mountains near Heavenly Lake. The location of his hermitage remains a mystery.
How Many Ancient Steles from the Tang Dynasty Exist? (唐朝古碑)

There are several ancient steles from the Tang Dynasty on the mountains around Heavenly Lake, including one erected by Empress Wu Zetian. The exact number and locations of these steles are still unknown.
Where Is the Dragon Pond? (万丈龙潭)

Heavenly Lake was once known as Dragon Pond (龙潭) and has been associated with mysterious creatures. Whether the Dragon Pond still exists is an ongoing mystery.
Why Do Butterflies Appear in Swarms? (彩蝶飞舞)

Since 1996, during the summer, large numbers of butterflies have appeared at Heavenly Lake, creating a spectacular sight. The reasons for this phenomenon remain unknown, and further study is required.
The Buddha’s Light Seen by Song Jun (宋君)

On August 3, 1988, a man named Song Jun reportedly saw a circular rainbow around his shadow when he climbed Mount Bogda. This phenomenon, known as “Buddha’s Light,” is considered a rare occurrence in the region.
What Strange Creatures Live Around the Lake? (奇虫异兽遍处有)

The area surrounding Heavenly Lake is home to many mysterious creatures, such as giant red worms known as “snow maggots” (雪蛆). The presence of these creatures, along with rare birds like parrots and monkeys, is still a subject of fascination and mystery.

How to get to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain

Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)

If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to the Heavenly Lake of Tianshan Mountain and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.

Independent Traveler

Take a bus from Urumqi Beijiao Bus Station to Fukang; and then transfer to another tourist bus from Fukang Bus Station to the Heavenly Lake.

Useful Travel Tips

Food

In Kazakhs yurts you can not only have a delicious hand pilaf, but also listen to dombra performance by Kazak young man. The price for one yurt is about ¥250, and it has various sizes, and one yurt can accommodate several people. While in the restaurants near the lake, tourists can also tastes delicious Xinjiang cuisines, like roasted mutton, self-made yogurt, lamian, hand pilaf, etc.

Accommodation

There are various hostels, hotels and vacation resorts around Tainchi Lake. The price is a little higher than accommodation price in Urumqi; however, you can enjoy good service with great views.

Best Time to Visit

The most beautiful time is from May to August. The prairie during this time is stunning, you can see golden flower all around, and the lake is peaceful and pure, reflecting the shape of snow-craped mountains, with herds of cows and sheep scattering on the prairie eating grass.

If you are a skiing lover, then winter is also a great time to visit Tianchi Lake. Tourists can experience skiing and snowmobiling in winter. From the mid-November to the next March, there is Ice and Snow Festival held and great time to play snow.