If you’ve seen a photo of Xinjiang and thought “that can’t be real,” it was probably Heavenly Lake.
This guide is part of our complete Xinjiang Travel Guide series for foreign travelers.
I remember the first time I rounded the bend on the road from Urumqi and saw it — a high-alpine lake, still as a mirror, reflecting Bogda Peak (5,445m) in water that’s been there for centuries. It’s not subtle. It’s the kind of scenery that makes you stop the car and just look for a while.
What Heavenly Lake Actually Is
Heavenly Lake (Tianshan Tianchi, 天山天池) sits at 1,900 meters in the Tianshan Mountains, about 1.5 hours from Urumqi by car. It’s a moraine lake — formed by glacial activity thousands of years ago — and it’s sacred in local mythology. The Tianshan range is considered the “Mountain of Heaven” in Chinese culture, and the lake is its mirror.
The lake itself is about 3.5 km long and 1-2 km wide. You can walk around parts of it, but most visitors stick to the boardwalk on the south shore (the side that faces Bogda Peak — the view everyone comes for).
Getting There from Urumqi
The standard way is by car or tour bus. The road is paved and in good condition (it was rebuilt in 2020), and the drive takes about 1.5 hours each way — longer if there’s traffic (summer weekends can be busy with domestic tourists).
Options for Getting There
Hire a car with driver: 300-400 RMB round trip, and you can negotate waiting time while you explore the lake. This is what most independent travelers do.
Tour bus from Urumqi: Buses leave from the Nanjiao Bus Station (南郊客运站) in Urumqi. Tickets are about 50 RMB each way. The bus will wait at the lake for a few hours and then bring you back — it’s a fixed-day-trip schedule.
Join a day tour: Most hotels in Urumqi can arrange this. It’s usually a minibus with 6-12 people, and the guide speaks some English (don’t expect fluent). Cost: 200-400 RMB per person including transport and entrance.
Drive yourself: You can’t. Foreigners can’t rent a car and drive it in China without a Chinese driver’s license. Don’t try — the checkpoints on the way to Heavenly Lake will stop you.
The Entrance Situation (2026 Update)
Heavenly Lake became a 5A-level scenic area (China’s top rating), which means two things: the infrastructure is good, and the entrance fee is high.
As of 2026:
- Entrance ticket: 155 RMB (includes the shuttle bus from the entrance gate to the lake shore)
- Shuttle bus: Included in the ticket price. You can’t drive your own car up to the lake — everyone takes the shuttle.
There are talks of introducing a reservation system during peak season (July-August), similar to what’s been implemented at Kanas Lake. Check the official website or ask your hotel before you go — if it’s implemented, you’ll need to book a time slot in advance.
What to Do at the Lake
Most visitors spend 3-4 hours at Heavenly Lake. That’s enough to see the main sights, walk part of the boardwalk, and have lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants.
The Boardwalk (木栈道)
This is the main activity. A wooden boardwalk runs along the south shore of the lake, with viewing platforms every few hundred meters. It’s an easy walk (flat, well-maintained), and it gives you different angles of the lake and Bogda Peak.
The full boardwalk is about 5 km one way. You don’t need to do the whole thing — the first 2 km have the best views.
Boat Ride
There are electric boats that do a 30-40 minute loop on the lake. It’s 80-100 RMB per person. Is it worth it? The view from the water is different, but the lake is more beautiful from the shore. If you’ve got the budget, sure — otherwise, skip it.
The Temple (福寿观, Fushou Guan)
There’s a Taoist temple on the north shore of the lake (you can see it from the boardwalk). It was rebuilt in the 199s after being destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. It’s not ancient, but it’s in a dramatic location — perched on a cliff above the water. You can hike up to it (about 45 minutes from the shore) or take a separate shuttle (40 RMB).
Hiking Farther
If you want to get away from the crowds, there are hiking trails that go higher up the mountain from the lake. These aren’t heavily marketed, and you won’t find them on the official map. Ask at the visitor center — or better, ask a local hiker you meet at the lake. The trails are unmarked, so don’t go alone unless you have offline maps and know what you’re doing.
When to Go
Best Months
June-September: The lake is accessible, the weather is warm (15-25°C / 59-77°F during the day), and the surrounding spruce forests are green. This is peak season — expect crowds on weekends.
October: My favorite time. The weather is still decent (10-15°C / 50-59°F), the crowds are gone, and the spruce forests turn a deep gold. The light is incredible for photography.
November-May: The road is sometimes closed after heavy snow. Even if it’s open, the lake is frozen and the boardwalk is icy. You can still visit, but dress warmly — it’s 1,900 meters and the wind cuts.
Time of Day
Go early. The tour buses from Urumqi start arriving around 10:30 AM. If you’re there by 8:30 AM, you’ll have the boardwalk mostly to yourself for an hour.
Late afternoon (after 5 PM) is also good — the light on Bogda Peak turns gold, and the tour groups have left.
Where to Eat
There’s a restaurant area near the shuttle bus drop-off point. It’s tourist-priced (a plate of noodles is 40-60 RMB, when the same thing in Urumqi costs 15 RMB), but the food is decent. You’re paying for the location.
Budget tip: Bring your own food. There are picnic spots along the boardwalk. Pack a lunch in Urumqi before you go.
Accommodation Near the Lake
There are a few hotels and guesthouses near the lake shore (the Tianchi Hotel and a handful of smaller places). They’re expensive for what you get (a basic room that costs 600-800 RMB in peak season), but staying overnight means you can see the lake at sunrise and avoid the day-trippers.
If you’re on a budget, stay in Urumqi and do Heavenly Lake as a day trip. You’ll save money and have more restaurant options.
Altitude and Health
Heavenly Lake is at 1,900 meters. That’s not high enough for altitude sickness for most people, but if you’re flying in from sea level and going straight to the lake, you might feel a bit lightheaded. Drink water, don’t overexert, and you’ll be fine.
If you’re continuing on to Kanas or Taxkorgan (both higher than Heavenly Lake), use Heavenly Lake as an acclimatization stop — spend a night in Urumqi or at the lake, and see how you feel before going higher.
Is It Touristy?
Yes. Heavenly Lake is the most visited natural attraction in Xinjiang. On a summer weekend, there are a lot of people.
But it’s not “Disney tourit” — it’s Chinese tourit. Which means: lots of domestic tour groups, loud speakers, and selfie sticks. It doesn’t ruin the place, but it’s something to be prepared for.
If you want the lake to yourself, go on a weekday in October. You might have entire sections of the boardwalk with no one else around.
The Bottom Line
Heavenly Lake is the most famous natural sight in Xinjiang for a reason. It delivers. Just go in the right season, at the right time of day, and you’ll see why it’s on every Xinjiang itinerary.
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*This guide was updated in June 2026 based on first-hand travel experience.*