Xinjiang Chartered Tour: 0991-8585456 1813962-2229 (WeChat same as phone number)
Scenic Area Introduction:
The Tianchi Scenic Area of Mount Tianshan in Xinjiang is located in Fukang County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang. It is a natural scenic area centered around a high-altitude lake and is a famous lake in Xinjiang, known as the "Bright Pearl of Mount Tianshan". Anciently, Tianchi was called "Jade Pool". The scenic area centers around Tianchi and includes four complete vertical natural landscape zones on the mountains above and below it. In ancient Chinese mythology, this was also the place where the Queen Mother of the West bathed.
"Tianchi" got its name from an inscription by Ming Liang, the governor of Urumqi, titled "Inscription on the Canal Digging Project at Tianchi of Lingshan Mountain" in the 48th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1783 AD). Throughout history, literati have composed numerous poems and essays, praising it to the fullest extent. Legend has it that more than 3,000 years ago, Emperor Mu once held a joyful banquet and sang duets with the Queen Mother of the West by the side of Tianchi, leaving behind a timeless story and earning Tianchi the nickname of "Jade Pool". In the early 1970s, Guo Moruo, while accompanying Prince Norodom Sihanouk on a tour, recited the beautiful verse by the lake: "A pool of thick ink sinks to the bottom of the inkstone, while countless trees stand tall like brushstrokes at the tip of the pen."
Distribution of attractions:
Tianshan Tianchi Nature Reserve can be divided into the North Slope Touring Area of Big Tianchi, Big Tianchi Touring Area, Ten Thousand Arhats Nirvana Wood Mountain Touring Area, Niangniang Temple Touring Area, and North Slope Touring Area of Mount Bogda. Within the scenic area are Tianchi Stone Gate, Fifty-Plateau Sky, Queen Mother’s Foot Basin, West Xiao Tianchi Waterfall, Hidden Milk Spring, Fairy Swimming Pool, Floating Sky Mirror, Ancient Elm Stabilizing the Sea, Beautiful Girl on the East Bank, Crocodile on the West Bank, Night View of Sky Lanterns, Tiewa Temple, Site of Dongyue Temple, Horse Teeth Stone Forest, West Queen Mother Temple, Ancient Cave of Immortals, Canyon Forest, Mountain Climbing Camp, Glacier and Snow Sea, etc.
Qualifications of scenic area:
National 5A scenic area, World Natural Heritage, National Geological Park, National Forest Park, China Wetland Reserve
Scenic area features:
Photography, hiking, exploration, rock climbing, sightseeing, summer retreat, historic sites, famous mountains, lakes
Travel tips:
1. Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area is known as one of the five coolest sacred places in China and has always been a favorite among tourists. Visitors can take yachts to sail on the lake, and with cool breezes blowing, the heat disappears completely.
2. Starting from December each winter, the ‘Ice and Snow Festival’ is held, with various activities at ski resorts, hot springs, and other venues.
Tour routes:
Recommended itinerary for a one-day tour of Tianshan Tianchi: In the morning, take a bus to Tianshan Tianchi scenic area, passing through the Tuwu-Urumqi Expressway, and arrive at the foot of Mother Mountain of Xinjiang, Tianshan, via Changji Prefecture → Fukang City. Visit Ningdetang Pharmacy (about 30 minutes) to appreciate local specialties such as Tianshan Snow Lotus, and then tour Tianchi → West Xiao Tianchi → Snow Ridge Spruce → Appreciate the heroism of Tianshan (about 20 minutes). After lunch, walk to Big Tianchi, view the Magic Needle Stabilizing the Sea → Look at Mount Bogda Snow Peak, West Mountain Snow View → South Mountain Pine View → Tiewa Temple (visit for 30 minutes), and then take a Tianchi cruise boat to view the mountain scenery. After that, return to Urumqi to end the day’s itinerary.
Best visiting time:
The best time to visit Tianchi is from mid-May to mid-October each year.
Shopping recommendations:
(Shopping) Zou’s Micro-sculpture, Xinjiang Snow Lotus, Xinjiang carpets, etc.
(Food) Dingding fried noodles, stir-fried lamb tripe, ‘oil-passed pork’, cumin-flavored grilled lamb legs, big plate chicken, nang stuffed with meat, etc.
Ticket price for Tianshan Tianchi:
Peak season (from 0:00 on April 1st each year to 24:00 on October 31st), 95 yuan/person;
Off-season (from 0:00 on November 1st each year to 24:00 on March 31st of the next year), 45 yuan/person.
Opening hours of scenic areas:
9:30-18:30
Xinjiang Chartered Tour: 0991-8585456 1813962-2229 (WeChat same as phone number)