Xinjiang Tianchi, also known as Tianshan Tianchi, is located halfway up the mountain at the foot of Bogda Peak in Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is one of the first national scenic spots and a national AAAAA scenic area. Here are some suggestions for a travel plan to Xinjiang Tianchi:?
I. Transportation Methods?
Self-driving: Depart from Urumqi and head towards Tianshan Tianchi along the Urumqi-Kuitun Expressway and the Turpan-Urumqi-Dalian Expressway. The drive takes about 1 hour.?
Coach: You can buy tickets at the Urumqi High-Speed Railway Bus Station to head to Mount Tianshan Tianchi, with a journey time of about one and a half hours. The ticket price is approximately 60 yuan per person, and round-trip bus tickets can be purchased through ‘Tianshanxing Xinjiang Highway Passenger Transport’.?
II. Tour Routes?
One-Day Tour Route:?
Depart from Urumqi in the morning and drive to the Tianchi Lake scenic area.?
After arriving at the scenic area, take a shuttle bus directly to the lakeside to begin your Tianchi Lake tour.?
After visiting Tianchi Lake, you can choose to explore nearby attractions such as Maya Mountain, East Small Tianchi Lake, and West Small Tianchi Lake.?
Return to Urumqi in the afternoon.?
In-Depth Tour Route:?
Day 1: Depart from Urumqi and head to Mount Tianshan Tianchi, staying at a hotel near the scenic area.?
Day 2: Spend the whole day visiting Tianchi Lake scenic area and its surrounding attractions, such as Maya Mountain, East Small Tianchi Lake, and West Small Tianchi Lake.?
Day 3: You can choose to visit nearby attractions such as Kanas Lake and Koktokay, or return to Urumqi.?
III. Must-Visit Attractions?
Tianchi Lake: Anciently known as the Jade Lake, it is a typical alpine glacier-eroded sulfur lake with clear water and surrounded by snow-capped mountains.?
The Sea-Stabilizing Magic Needle: Legend has it that King Mu of Zhou planted an elm tree for the Queen Mother of the West, located on the lakeshore of Tianchi Lake.?
East Small Tianchi Lake: Legend has it that the Queen Mother of the West once bathed here, so it is also called the Queen Mother’s Combing Stream.?
West Queen Mother Temple: Locally known as the Empress Temple, it is located halfway up the eastern side of Tianchi Lake.?
Maya Mountain: You can overlook Tianchi Lake and gaze up at the snow-capped mountains. It requires taking a cable car up the mountain, with a round-trip fee of approximately 220 yuan per person.?
IV. Food Recommendations?
Mutton Skewers: Made with fresh mutton marinated with special seasonings and then grilled, they have an aromatic scent and tender meat.?
Roast Whole Lamb: The mutton is marinated with special seasonings and then roasted to create tender and juicy meat.?
Mutton Buns: Made with fresh mutton and special spices paired with flour, they have a delicious flavor and rich broth.?
Xinjiang-Style Large Plate Chicken: Cooked with fresh chicken paired with potatoes, onions, and other ingredients to create a dish with excellent color, aroma, and taste.?
Hand-Grabbed Rice: Cooked with fresh mutton, carrots, onions, and other ingredients paired with rice, it has an aromatic scent and soft, sticky rice.?
V. Accommodation Recommendations?
Tianchi Hotel: Located near the Tianchi scenic area, with moderate prices and complete facilities, convenient for visiting the scenic area.?
Nearby Homestays: Offer more distinctive accommodation experiences, and the prices are also relatively affordable.?
Hotels in Urumqi City: Such as the Kempinski Hotel Urumqi and the Richland International Hotel Urumqi, suitable for tourists who wish to experience the urban ambiance.?
VI. Precautions?
Sun Protection: The ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are intense, so please be sure to take sun protection measures.?
Warm Clothing: Tianchi Lake in Mount Tianshan has a higher altitude and lower temperatures, so please bring sufficient warm clothing.?
Safety: Please pay attention to safety while touring the scenic area, abide by the scenic area regulations, and do not leave the group or enter unopened areas without permission.?
Environmental Protection: Please take care of the environment, do not litter, and protect the natural ecology.?
Through the above plan, we believe you will be able to fully experience the natural scenery and cultural ambiance of Tianchi Lake in Xinjiang, leaving behind unforgettable travel memories.?