
AOMO TRAVEL
Thorough exploration of North China's highlights
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Tianchi Lake 天池
Shaped like a half-moon, Tianchi Lake is a natural alpine lake at an altitude of 1,980 meters. The lake water is clear and looks like jade, surrounded by mountains, green grass, and colorful wildflowers. It is known as the "Pearl of Tianshan".

Natural Scenery
Mayashan Mountain: At an altitude of 3,056 meters, Mayashan is located 4.5 kilometers southwest of the main Tianchi Lake. The mountain is formed by rows of ancient glacial erosion, with steep and upright peaks resembling a row of huge horse teeth. The rock forests of Mayashan are a unique feature of the Tianchi scenic area, with peculiar rock formations shaped by weathering and erosion.
Denggan Mountain: Located about 4 kilometers west of Tianchi Lake, Denggan Mountain runs north-south, stretching about 3 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide. It is the second highest peak among the western mountains surrounding Tianchi. The main peak stands at 2,718 meters above sea level, offering a panoramic view of Tianchi from its summit, as well as distant views of Mount Bogda to the east and the capital city of Urumqi to the south.
Bogda Peak Scenic Area: Located at the southeast end of Tianchi, the Bogda Peak Scenic Area covers a total area of 189.92 square kilometers. It is characterized by glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and forest vegetation, with towering snow-capped mountains, steep icy peaks, winding streams, and dense forests. The landscape types include glaciers, snow-capped mountains, winding streams, waterfalls, primitive forests, and grassland wetlands.
Cultural Landscapes
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Xiaotianchi: It is divided into East Xiaotianchi and West Xiaotianchi. East Xiaotianchi, located 500 meters east of the main Tianchi Lake, is formed by the outflow of the main lake. It is also known as Feilongtan (Dragon's Flying Pool) because of legends that it was the nest of a little dragon. Another legend claims that it was where the Queen Mother of the West bathed and groomed herself, hence its alternative names of Shuxijian (Grooming Stream) and Yuxianpen (Immortal Bathing Basin). West Xiaotianchi, also known as Yunu Tan (Jade Maiden Pool), is located two kilometers northwest of Tianchi Lake and is shaped like a full moon. The pool water is clear and deep, surrounded by towering pine trees.
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Tianchi Stone Gate: Located in the northern slope tourist area of the main Tianchi Lake in the Tianchi Scenic Area in Tianshan, Xinjiang, it is a natural mountain pass entering the scenic area, with a width of about 100 meters on both sides and a narrowest point of only about 10 meters.
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Dinghai Shenzhen (Pillar of Stability): Growing at an altitude of nearly 2,000 meters, this elm tree is the only one by Tianchi Lake and the highest tree there. With lush foliage and standing proudly alone, it is one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Tianchi.
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Niangniang Temple: It was once magnificent and bustling with worshippers but was destroyed by war in 1932. In 1999, a new temple was built on the site of the original Niangniang Temple.
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Tiewa Temple: Named for its brick walls and iron-tiled roof, Tiewa Temple has been built and destroyed three times in history and was once the center of Taoism in Xinjiang.
Historical Culture
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Ancient Name of Yaochi: Tianchi Lake was anciently known as Yaochi and has a long history. During the Tang Dynasty, a "Yaochi Prefecture" was established here.
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Included in the World Heritage List: In 2013, the Xinjiang Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Intangible Cultural Heritage: In June 2015, the myth of the Queen Mother of the West associated with Tianchi was included in China's fourth batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects.