Heaven Lake of Tianshan Mountain

Heaven Lake of Tianshan Mountain

Heaven Lake of Tianshan Mountain is a national scenic area, a AAAAA-level tourist attraction, and a national water conservancy scenic area.

Renowned as the "Pearl of Tianshan," Heaven Lake of Tianshan Mountain is a natural alpine lake. It is situated on the mountainside beneath Bogda Peak in the eastern section of the Northern Tianshan Mountains, at an altitude of 1,980 meters. The lake is crescent-shaped, stretching 3,400 meters in length, about 1,500 meters at its widest point, covering an area of 4.9 square kilometers. Its depth ranges from several meters to 105 meters. The lake water is crystal clear and as translucent as jade. It is surrounded by rolling mountains, lush green meadows, and vibrant wildflowers. Towering and verdant spruce and dragon spruce trees cover the hillsides, blocking out the sunlight. To the southeast of the lake lies the majestic main peak of Bogda (in Mongolian, "Bogda" means Sacred Mountain or Spirit Mountain), which stands at an elevation of 5,445 meters. Flanking the main peak are two smaller peaks. Gazing into the distance, the three peaks rise abruptly, piercing the clouds like a brush rack. The glaciers and snow on the mountaintops shimmer with silvery light, complementing the azure blue lake, creating the enchanting natural landscape of this high-altitude alpine lake.

Heaven Lake is a moraine lake. Geologists believe that since the Quaternary period, the global climate has undergone multiple intense cold and warm fluctuations. As early as 200,000 years ago, during the Earth's third cooling period, an ice age arrived, and the region around Heaven Lake developed spectacular valley glaciers. The glaciers, carrying gravel, slowly moved down the valleys, intensely grinding and eroding the glacier bed, carving out various glacial landforms. The valley of Heaven Lake became a massive ice reservoir, and the glacier’s front tongue, due to compression and melting, released meltwater that carried rocky debris, which gradually accumulated to form a terminal moraine ridge across the valley. Later, as the climate warmed and the glaciers retreated, water accumulated here, forming the lake we now know as Heaven Lake of Tianshan Mountain. Historical records indicate that from the Song to the Qing dynasties, Heaven Lake was referred to as Ice Pool, Dragon Pool, Dragon Pond, and Sacred Pool, but there are few detailed descriptions of its true appearance in historical texts—ancient people actually had great difficulty reaching the lake.

During the feudal era, the first person to truly visit Heaven Lake and name it was Mingliang, who served as the Urumqi General 200 years ago. In the 48th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty (1783), he personally led a cavalry unit, climbed Bogda Mountain, discovered Heaven Lake, and dug a drainage outlet to channel water downhill for irrigating farmland. In his inscription "Record of the Channel Dug at the Sacred Lake of Heaven Mountain," he named the lake using the phrase “seeing the divine pool vast as a mirror floating in the sky,” thus adopting the name “Heaven Lake.” It is said that later, some high-ranking officials and wealthy patrons who worshipped the Sacred Mountain and Heaven Lake built eight temples near the lake, such as Fushou Temple, Queen Mother Temple, Wuji Observatory, and Zhenren Shrine, for visitors to pray. Unfortunately, these ancient relics have long been destroyed, and the stone tablet of Qing official Mingliang has also been lost. Today, people can only glimpse a rough picture from historical records. In the past, due to the high and treacherous mountains, only the brave, determined, and skilled horsemen could venture to explore Heaven Lake.

After the 1950s, the government allocated special funds to build a mountain highway leading directly to Heaven Lake and constructed charming pavilions, lakeside pavilions, hotels, restaurants, and other tourism facilities, opening this world-famous scenic destination to both domestic and international tourists. In 1982, the State Council listed Heaven Lake of Tianshan Mountain as one of the first national key scenic areas. Heaven Lake is 90 kilometers from Urumqi. Visitors taking a morning bus from Urumqi can reach the mountain pass in two hours. The car winds up along the mountain road, with sheer cliffs and bizarre rocks on one side, and secluded forests, winding streams, blooming flowers, and birdsong on the other. Upon reaching the deep mountains and valleys, a small round pool about several dozen meters in diameter appears on the right side of the road, with a waterfall several meters high cascading down beside it, sparkling like pearls and splashing like jade—this is the commonly known "Little Heaven Lake." Continuing up the mountain and ascending the broad mountain ridge, Heaven Lake suddenly comes into full view. Visitors are often left in awe of this magical landscape. Here, one can fully enjoy the gifts of nature. You can climb with companions through dense forests and summit peaks to take in the panoramic view of Heaven Lake; you can also take a sightseeing boat to ride the waves and experience the “seaside” vibe of this plateau; or you can visit the lakeside restaurant, sip wine by the window, admire the distant mountains and nearby waters, and paint or compose poetry to express your rapture. Over the years, this place has inspired many poets and painters. In September 1971, Guo Moruo visited Heaven Lake and spontaneously wrote this evocative poem:

Recalling the trip to Riga in days gone by,

This place’s scenery outshines what used to be.

Songs and dances greet guests by the water’s edge,

Cloud-written pages await new verse in the sky.

An inkwell brimming deep in the pool it lies,

Ten thousand woods stand like brushes on high.

I’m glad to see two roe deer this morning too,

Joining the feast as wine flows like dew.

Heaven Lake is now not only a summer retreat for domestic and international tourists every year but has also become an ideal alpine skating rink in winter. When the lake freezes, athletes from Xinjiang and other provinces gather here to train and compete under the bright sun and fresh air on the vast ice surface. The surrounding mountains of Heaven Lake are also a resource-rich “treasure mountain.” There are lush pastures with sturdy livestock, logging sites with the sounds of axes, and artificially bred deer farms. Snow lotus and snowcocks grow above the snowline, roe deer roam the pine forests, mushrooms grow everywhere, and herbs such as codonopsis, astragalus, and fritillaria abound. The mountain valleys are home to rare birds and animals, the lake area hosts schools of fish and waterfowl, the mountaintops feature modern glaciers, and the foothills conceal minerals such as copper, iron, and mica. The abundant resources and unique natural landscapes around Heaven Lake hold a special allure for biologists, geologists, and geographers keen on field research. Heaven Lake is indeed a must-visit destination for those traveling to Xinjiang.

Azure Dragon Pool and Moon

The Azure Dragon Pool refers to the "West Little Heaven Lake," located about 2 kilometers below Heaven Lake, at an altitude of 1,660 meters, on the western side of the mountain road. Legend says it was the foot-washing basin of the Queen Mother of the West, but it is actually a deep pool formed by the seepage of Heaven Lake water through the coarse glacial deposits of an underground dam, accumulating in a low-lying area where the mountain spur converges. Towering dragon spruces surround the pool, and the mountains are lush and green. When night falls and the moon shines brightly, the shadows of the peaks and trees, along with the azure moon, are reflected in the pool, creating a serene scene with trembling moonlight. A poem praises it: “A pool of azure forms the Dragon Pool, pines and snow adorn the emerald plate; in golden autumn the osmanthus moon sinks to the bottom, as if the Moon Goddess emerges from the Moon Palace.”

Viewing Snow from the Southern Mountain

Visitors standing on the glacial moraine dam of Heaven Lake and looking south toward Bogda Snow Mountain will see “distant snow and nearby pines, wildflowers like brocades with green cradling red. The landscape of lake and mountain is like an ink painting, blending the scenes of all four seasons” (Xie Yukang). Witnessing this breathtaking view feels like entering a fairyland, leaving one’s soul floating in ecstasy.

The Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle

Legend has it that there was a water monster in Heaven Lake that often caused havoc, stirring up fierce waves that flooded nearby residents, leaving people homeless and wandering. One year, the Queen Mother of the West held a grand Peach Banquet in the Heavenly Palace. She invited all the deities except for the water monster of Heaven Lake. The monster, displeased, vented its anger, causing turbulent waves and widespread flooding. The heavenly soldiers reported to the Queen Mother, who, furious, immediately took a jade hairpin from her hair and threw it into the water. Instantly, the waves calmed, the water receded, and stones emerged. The jade hairpin turned into a elm tree, which has since grown by the lake, becoming a treasure that calms the waters. This elm tree, transformed from the Queen Mother’s jade hairpin, is known as the “Sea-Stabilizing Divine Needle.”

Viewing Pines on the Western Mountain

The western side of Heaven Lake features relatively gentle slopes on the shady side, composed of moraine rocks and debris flow deposits, which are loose and excellent at retaining water—ideal for forest growth. Dense spruce forests stretch across the peaks, offering deep shade and making it a perfect spot for tourism. The “Western Mountain Pines” are a delight to the eyes and soothe the spirit.

Morning Light at Sea Summit

Watching the sunrise at Heaven Lake in the morning offers a unique charm compared to watching it at Mount Tai. In the dawn light, the icy peaks of Tianshan, the spruce forests, and the colorful lake blend into one, making you feel as if you are in a fairyland. A poem describes it: “Clouds and mist shroud the towering peaks, dawn breaks to reveal fresh scenery. The rosy glow of dawn heralds the sunrise, and Bogda Peak smiles upon the magnificent view” (Xie Yukang).

The Hanging Pot Waterfall

On the northeastern terminal moraine dam downstream of Heaven Lake, an artificial sluice has been built, and the outflow from Heaven Lake forms a waterfall. The waterfall rushes down rugged rocks, a white silk ribbon hanging in the air, its roar shaking the valley. At the valley bottom, it crashes into a small azure pool, known as the “East Little Heaven Lake.” This area is extremely secluded. On the northern bank of the East Little Heaven Lake is a steep cliff, and the outflow forms another waterfall, over 100 meters high, with water cascading like silver and jade, its thunderous sound accompanied by rainbows in the sunlight, creating the spectacular “Hanging Pot Waterfall.” A poem reads: “Pearls of water hang midair, a silver chain suspended in the fog. Misty waters glisten in the bright sun, a long rainbow arches over the green ridges.”

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Further Reading:

·First Batch of National Scenic Areas