Heavenly Lake (Tian Chi)

Location: in the middle of Bogda Peak and about 110 km (68 miles) east of Urumqi
Area: 4.9 square kilometers (1.89 square miles)
Come into being: in the Quaternary Period Glacier

In the east of Urumqi nestles Heavenly Lake. The crescent-shaped water area deserves its name, Pearl of Heavenly Mountain (Tianshan Mountain). With melted snow as its source, Heavenly Lake enjoys crystal water.

In summer, the Heavenly Lake is an ideal cool resort. Boaters on it see the ever-changing silvery mountains soaring into the blue sky, their slopes highlighted with verdant pasture and flamboyant wild flowers. Fishing at dusk has its own special charm. A day in this fairyland promises restoration.

Heavenly Lake, a relic of the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offers science lovers exploring opportunities.

 

A boat trip on the Heavenly Lake

Heavenly Lake, Urumqi, Xinjiang

As if the natural beauty of Heavenly Lake were not enough, legend adds a mysterious touch. It is said that the West Queen (Xi Wang Mu) entertained King Mu of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100B.C.-771B.C.) here. The West Queen fell in love with the king and asked him in her poem, 'The white clouds drift while the mountains reach the blue sky. Passing thousands of mountains, crossing ten thousands of rivers, you come to us from a faraway place. If you are still strong and fine, would you like to come back to us again?' The king answered in his poem, 'After I go back to central China and lead the people to a prosperous life, I will come to you again.'

We do not know why the king never returned. Only the placid lake and the silent mountains witnessed the lovesickness of the West Queen.
 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.

	Apr. - Oct.	Nov. - Mar.
Entrance Fee	CNY95	CNY45
	Free for children under 1.2m (3.9 feet).
Opening Hours	9:00 - 19:30	10:00 - 18:00
Transport Fee	Inter-zone Vehicle: CNY90 Queen Mother of the Western Heaven Temple: CNY 10 Zoology Museum: CNY 10 Cable Car: CNY 35 (round trip); CNY 20 (single trip) Electric Bus: CNY 5 (single trip) Painted Pleasure Boat: CNY 50 Mosquito Craft: CNY 35 Barge: CNY 20

 Further Reading
Top 10 Things to Do in Urumqi

Top 10 Things to Do in Xinjiang