A alpine lake at 1,910 m, with the Bogda snow peak at the far end of the water
A lake at 1,900 m under the Bogda peak, with a shuttle and a boardwalk rather than a hike. Ten and a half hours from the city, most of it the drive out and back.
If you are heading to Kanas or Ili, keep the days for those — Tianchi is the convenient lake, not the best one.
The lake sits at altitude and the weather changes fast. A jacket in July is not a joke.
Hotel pick-up inside the Urumqi city area, small group by car
Local time (GMT+8). The scenic area opens at 09:30, so departure shifts slightly with the season.
The car works round the city hotels; the driver calls ahead. About 120 km and two hours each way
A dome-screen flight film that shows the whole lake before you see it, ¥168. Waiting outside is fine too
Admission and shuttle included. The first stop is a stand of old spruce and elm, with local yoghurt and baked samsa for sale
Forty minutes. Sit on the right going up — the East Small Tianchi and its waterfall are on that side
Walk down or take the park cart (¥20 return, own expense). The Anchor is the single old elm by the water and one of the lake’s eight classic views
Only snack food inside, and instant noodles cost ¥40 a tub — bring naan, fruit and water from the city
About thirty minutes along the water from the jetty, and the best stretch for reflections. The temple steps frame the hall, the lake and Bogda in one shot
¥220 up to the Maya ridge, looking down on the whole lake and straight at Bogda. This is the real high point, and most visitors skip it — staying at lake level costs you half the view
Down by shuttle, then about two hours by road
Drop-off at your hotel. Tell the driver in advance if you have a train or flight that evening
For a first trip to Xinjiang when you want snow peaks and a high lake in one day. The shore path is gentle enough for older parents, though at 1,910 m walking fast leaves you short of breath.
$114 per person on the group tour, or from $256 per vehicle for a private car with driver and guide. The group price includes the driver, guide and admission; the private price is for the whole vehicle, whatever the party size.
It runs 08:30 to 19:00 — about 10.5 hours from pick-up to drop-off, including the drive. If you are catching a train or flight the same evening, book it for after 20:30.
Hotels inside Urumqi city. Your driver and guide meet you there; the exact spot is confirmed the day before travel.
Return hotel transfer inside Urumqi, small group by car; Tianchi Lake admission (¥95 in peak season); Park shuttle both ways (¥60).
Lunch — bring your own; Maya Mountain cable car ¥220, lake cruise ¥100, park cart ¥20.
Two days. We do not accept same-day or next-day bookings because the car, guide and admission have to be arranged in advance. Cancellation is free up to 7 days before the tour; inside that it steps to 20% (6–3 days) and 60% (2–1 days), and nothing is refunded on the day itself.
The guide was patient and helpful, and told us in advance how to work the park and which route to take; the driving was smooth as well. On the first terrace of the lake there are tea and snack stalls — the local cheese is good and a naan costs about ¥8. A very good day out.
导游很耐心，服务态度非常好，会提前告知园区游玩的攻略及建议游玩的线路。驾驶技术很好，非常感谢。天池第一平台有奶茶店和小吃，当地奶酪不错，馕才 8 块。总体游玩经历很好，很值得去。
Full marks — the scenery is genuinely restorative. Take the Maya Mountain cable car to the top for the whole lake in one view, snow peaks and water together. It leaves you speechless.
满分推荐，风景超治愈。强烈推荐马牙山索道登顶俯瞰天池全景，雪山湖泊尽收眼底，震撼到说不出话。
We came in the low season and several boardwalks were closed for maintenance, so we walked toward the Maya Mountain cable car instead and saw squirrels in the woods. The views are unbeatable — Xinjiang is beautiful everywhere you look. The day itself was comfortable.
这个时间算淡季，景区内在维护步道，封了很多路，我们也是勇，往马牙山索道那里走，在树林里看见松鼠。景色真的是无敌，新疆真的是处处是美景。整个行程下来还是比较舒适的。