Heaven Lake of Tian Shan

For other uses, see Tianchi (disambiguation).

Tianchi
Bogda Peak in the distance (August 2005)
Location	Bogda Shan (Tian Shan), in Fukang City, Xinjiang
Coordinates
Basin countries	China
Surface area	4.9 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Max. depth	105 m (344 ft)
Surface elevation	1,907 m (6,257 ft)

Tianchi (Chinese: 天池; pinyin: tiānchí) is an alpine lake in Xinjiang, Northwest China, situated at . The name (天池) literally means "Heaven Lake" or "Heavenly Lake" and can refer to several lakes in mainland China and Taiwan. This Tianchi lies on the north side of the Bogda Shan range of the Tianshan Mountains, about 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Fukang City and 45 kilometres (28 mi) east (straight-line distance) of Ürümqi. (Bogda is a Mongolian word, meaning "God".) It is an alpine drift lake shaped in the Quaternary Glacier period.

Formerly known as Yaochi (Jade Lake), it was named Tianchi in 1783 by Mingliang, the Qing Commander of Urumqi Command.

The lake is 1,907 metres (6,257 ft) above sea level, covering 4.9 square kilometres (1.9 sq mi), 105 metres (344 ft) deep at the deepest point.

In 2006, it was designated for four years of restoration work at a cost of 800 million yuan (US$100 million). The plan calls for the tourism area around the lake to be increased from the present 158 km² to 548 km². The lake is classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.

The lake is accessible by Provincial Highway 111 from Fukang City.

External links

Media related to at Wikimedia Commons

• http://www.farwestchina.com/2014/05/travelers-guide-xinjiangs-heavenly-lake.html
• http://china.org.cn/english/environment/181476.htm
• http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2006-09/18/content_691034.htm