Tongxin Tianchi (Concentric Heaven Lake)

Tongxin Tianchi

Tongxin Tianchi was formed through multiple volcanic eruptions: The first occurred approximately 140 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period of the Mesozoic era as a Brynian-style eruption, creating a collapsed crater with a diameter of about 2 kilometers; the second took place during the Late Pleistocene epoch of the Quaternary period as a phreatomagmatic eruption (maar-type eruption), producing a base surge containing large amounts of water vapor, volcanic ash, and volcanic gravel and other debris. After the explosive volcanic activity ended, large volumes of overflowing basalt flows surged toward the southern slopes and the valleys of the Chaor River. The lake surface is heart-shaped, covering an area of 180 hectares with a depth of 2–3 meters. It is fed by one stream and drained by another. On the southeastern side, there are two springs with water temperatures that remain around 14°C year-round, filling the entire Tianchi with mist and giving it a fairy-tale-like ambiance. Today, the Chaihe · Moon Town and Tongxin Tianchi blend seamlessly together, complementing each other beautifully, hence it is also known as the Tianchi Town.