Day Tour to Heavenly Lake

Tour Overview

This full-day tour takes you from Urumqi to Heavenly Lake (Tianchi), one of China’s most stunning alpine lakes, nestled in the Bogda Peak of the Tianshan Mountains at an elevation of 1,980 meters. Known in Chinese as “Tianchi” and historically as “Jade Pool” (Yaochi), this pristine glacial lake is surrounded by snow-capped peaks, dense spruce forests, and alpine meadows, creating a landscape of breathtaking beauty. According to Chinese mythology, Heavenly Lake was the summer resort and bathing place of the Queen Mother of the West (Xi Wang Mu), who entertained King Mu of the Zhou Dynasty here over 3,000 years ago. Designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1990 and a national 5A scenic area, Tianchi offers a perfect escape from Urumqi’s summer heat into cool mountain air.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Urumqi to Heavenly Lake Full-Day Excursion

Early morning pickup from your Urumqi hotel at approximately 8:00 AM. Drive approximately 1.5 hours (110 km) east along the G7 Beijing-Urumqi Expressway to the Tianchi Scenic Area, located in Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture. As you leave Urumqi, the landscape transitions from urban sprawl to desert steppe, then begins climbing into the foothills of the Tianshan (Celestial Mountains), the massive 2,500-kilometer mountain range that divides Xinjiang into the northern Dzungarian Basin and southern Tarim Basin. Upon arrival at the scenic area entrance, transfer to the park’s shuttle bus for the 30-minute winding drive up the mountain, passing through dense forests of Schrenk’s spruce (Tianshan spruce), a conifer species endemic to the Tianshan Mountains that can live for over 400 years and reach heights of 40 meters. The road follows the Sandaowan River valley, with occasional views of waterfalls and mountain streams.

Arrive at the lakeside and begin your exploration of Heavenly Lake. The lake itself is a moraine-dammed glacial lake, approximately 3.5 kilometers long, 1.5 kilometers wide, and up to 105 meters deep, with a surface area of 4.9 square kilometers. Its waters are a brilliant turquoise-blue, colored by glacial silt, and reflect the snow-capped Bogda Peak (5,445 meters) rising dramatically behind it. Walk along the lakeside plank path, which winds through the forest and offers multiple viewing platforms. Visit the Queen Mother of the West Temple (Xiwangmu Miao), a Taoist temple perched on a hillside overlooking the lake, dedicated to the goddess associated with Tianchi in Chinese mythology. The temple was originally built during the Yuan Dynasty (13th century) and has been restored multiple times.

Continue to the Western Xiaotianchi (Small Heavenly Lake), a smaller, more intimate lake located a short walk from the main lake, fed by a waterfall. The path to Small Heavenly Lake passes through dense forest and offers glimpses of local wildlife including Tianshan red deer, Siberian ibex, and various bird species. For the more adventurous, take the cable car or hike up to the Maya Mountain viewing platform (approximately 2,800 meters) for a panoramic bird’s-eye view of the entire lake, the surrounding peaks, and the vast desert plain stretching to the horizon. On clear days, you can see all the way to Urumqi, 100 kilometers away.

Visit a Kazakh nomad family’s yurt near the lakeshore for a traditional lunch of Kazakh cuisine, including boiled mutton with onions (narin), milk tea, freshly baked nan bread, and kumis (fermented mare’s milk, if available). The Kazakh people, a Turkic nomadic group with a population of approximately 1.5 million in Xinjiang, traditionally move their herds between high-altitude summer pastures (jaylau) and winter lowlands (kystau). Learn about their nomadic lifestyle, eagle hunting traditions, and the art of making felt carpets and embroidered textiles. Enjoy a horseback ride along the lakeshore or into the surrounding meadows, led by local Kazakh herders.

In the late afternoon, take a leisurely boat cruise on the lake (optional, weather permitting), gliding across the calm waters while enjoying views of the forested shoreline and mountain peaks. As the sun begins to lower, the light on Bogda Peak turns golden, creating spectacular reflections on the lake surface, making it the ideal time for photography. Walk back to the shuttle bus station through the forest, breathing in the crisp pine-scented mountain air. Depart the scenic area at approximately 5:00 PM and drive back to Urumqi, arriving at your hotel around 6:30-7:00 PM. End of tour.

Practical Information: The best time to visit Heavenly Lake is from June to September, when temperatures range from 15-25 degrees Celsius and wildflowers carpet the meadows. The lake is accessible year-round, though winter (December-February) brings heavy snow and temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius, creating a beautiful frozen landscape. Bring warm layers even in summer, as mountain weather can change rapidly. The elevation of 1,980 meters generally does not cause altitude sickness, but visitors should stay hydrated. The scenic area covers 158 square kilometers and includes multiple sub-attractions including the Denggan Mountain, the Nanshan Pasture, and the Bogda Glacier hiking route for experienced trekkers.

Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Round-trip scenic area shuttle bus

Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch)
• Boat cruise and horseback riding (optional)
• Cable car (optional)
• Travel insurance and personal expenses