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.
跟團遊每人 $114，或私家團每車 $256 起（含司機與導遊）。跟團價包含司機、導遊與門票；私家團價則是整臺車的價格，不論人數多寡。
行程從 08:30 到 19:00——從接送到下車約 10.5 小時，含車程。若你當晚要趕火車或飛機，請把票訂在 20:30 之後。
Hotels inside Urumqi city。司機與導遊會在那裡與你會合；確切地點於出發前一天確認。
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。
兩天。我們不接受當天或隔天的預訂，因為車輛、導遊與門票都必須提前安排。行程前 7 天以上取消免費；之後依序為20%（6–3天）與60%（2–1天），當天則完全不退款。
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.
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.
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.