Tianshan Tianchi Travel Guide

Tianchi is located on the northern slope of Bogda Peak in the Tianshan Mountains, at an altitude of 1,910 meters. It is the legendary Jade Pool of the Queen Mother of the West. It is the closest to Urumqi and has the most complete facilities, making it suitable for a one-day trip either when arriving or the day before departure.

One-Day Itinerary

• Depart in the morning (about a 1.5-hour drive), and take the shuttle bus at the scenic area entrance to go up the mountain.
• Walk halfway around the lake on the boardwalk, which takes about an hour. The ancient elm tree known as the Stabilizing Needle and the Temple of the Queen Mother of the West are classic photo spots.
• If you have good stamina, add a section on the Mayashan Cableway: from up high, you can view the entire Tianchi and the three peaks of Bogda. On a clear day, it is worth the ticket price.
• Descend the mountain before 4 PM and return to the city in time for the evening market at the Grand Bazaar.

Best Time to Visit & What to Avoid

Open most completely from May to October; in June, you can see wildflowers by the lake; in September, the forests are fully colored; in winter, the lake freezes and offers ice and snow activities. After 10 AM on weekends and holidays, the shuttle bus queues can be long, so try to enter the mountain before 9 AM. The summit is 8-10°C cooler than the city, so bring a jacket even in summer.

Notes

The lake area is nearly 2,000 meters above sea level, so just slow down your walking pace—no risk of altitude sickness. The cableway may be closed during strong winds, so don’t make it your only goal. Food within the scenic area is average; you can have a proper meal in Fukang city at the base of the mountain.