Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot in Tianshan Mountain （天山天池景區）

Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot in Tianshan Mountain [File photo]

At an altitude of 1,928 meters, the Heavenly Lake is located at the base of Bogda Peak, the highest peak of the eastern side of the Tianshan Mountains, located 110 kilometer east of Urumqi. Covering a total area of 380.69 square kilometers, the scenic spot includes the lake and its surrounding mountains.

Forged in a semi-circular shape, the lake is 3,400 meters long, 1,500 meters wide at its widest point, and 105 meters deep at its deepest point, covering an area of 4.9 square kilometers. The water, sourced from mountain snow, is crystal clear. It has been given the beautiful name of "Pearl of the Tianshan Mountains." In 1990, the Heavenly Lake Scenic Spot was included in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve program.

In summer, the Heavenly Lake is an ideal place to escape the season's heat; in winter, the frozen lake surrounded by the snow-capped mountains becomes a ski resort.

Admission: 100 yuan (US$16.07) / person (April 1-Oct. 31); 40 yuan (US$6.43) / person (Nov. 1–March 31)