To travel to Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, you can plan according to the following guide:?
1. Basic Information and Opening Hours?
Address: No. 501, Zhungaer Road, Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region?
Opening Hours:?
Peak Season (April 1st – October 31st): 09:00-19:30?
Off-season (November 1st – March 31st of the following year): 10:00-18:00?
2. Tickets and Transportation?
Ticket Prices:?
Peak Season Full-price Ticket: 155 yuan per person (ticket: 95 yuan per person, shuttle bus: 60 yuan round trip)?
Off-season Full-price Ticket: 105 yuan per person (ticket: 45 yuan per person, shuttle bus: 60 yuan round trip)?
Transportation Methods:?
Self-driving: Starting from Urumqi, the drive takes about 1.5 hours. The scenic area provides free parking, but vehicles cannot enter the scenic area.?
Bus: You can take a direct bus to Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains from the Urumqi High-speed Railway Passenger Station or Bus Station. The round-trip ticket price is about 60 yuan per person.?
Group Tour: You can choose to participate in a one-day tour of Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains from Urumqi, saving time and effort.?
3. Attraction Recommendations?
Big Tianchi: Also known as ‘Tianchi Big Lake’, it is the main lake of Tianchi. Shaped like a gourd, you can take a boat tour, but the cost is higher, so it is not highly recommended.?
Hanging Spring Waterfall and Flying Dragon Pond: Highly recommended niche attractions hidden deep in Tianchi Lake. The wooden boardwalk is long, but the scenery is absolutely stunning and worth exploring.?
Mayya Mountain Cable Car: Take the cable car up Mayya Mountain to overlook the entire Tianchi Lake. The scenery is super beautiful.?
West of the Lake: A holy place for wedding photo shoots. You can experience the sandy beach and lake, and the scenery along the wooden boardwalk is also very beautiful.?
West Little Tianchi: Compared to the main Tianchi Lake, it is more serene and a must-visit rest stop for hikers.?
The Divine Pillar Stabilizing the Sea and Bogda Snowy Peak: They are also landmark attractions of Tianchi Lake, full of mystery and photographic charm.?
4. Travel Suggestions?
Morning: Upon arriving at the scenic area, take a shuttle bus to Tianchi Lake, enjoying the scenery along the way. Upon arrival, you can walk or take an electric cart to the edge of Tianchi Lake to admire the panoramic view.?
Noon: Have lunch in the scenic area and taste local specialty foods.?
Afternoon: Visit attractions such as the West Queen Mother Ancestral Temple and the Divine Pillar Stabilizing the Sea. You can also choose to take a boat tour of Tianchi Lake. If your energy permits, head to the Flying Dragon Gorge Trail to admire waterfalls, streams, and forests.?
5. Practical Tips?
Sunscreen and warmth: Tianchi Lake is at a high altitude with strong UV rays, so sunscreen measures are necessary; at the same time, temperatures in the scenic area are lower, so appropriate clothing should be added for warmth.?
Bring your own food: Meals in the scenic area are simple, and prices may be higher, so it is recommended to bring your own food.?
Pay attention to the weather: The scenery may not be as good on cloudy or rainy days, but the sea of clouds is spectacular; additionally, summer is the prime time to visit Tianchi Lake in the Tianshan Mountains.?
Drone enthusiasts: Before entering Tianchi, remember to register and go through security checks at the guard room next to the entrance.?
Following this guide, you can fully enjoy the beauty and charm of Tianchi Lake in Xinjiang’s Tianshan Mountains.?