Half-Day Tour Guide to the Yaochi (Jade Lake): Tian Shan Tianchi

This destination boasts an impressive list of accolades, making it one of the most prestigious tourist sites in China. It holds numerous titles, including the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, World Natural Heritage Site, National Scenic Area of China, 5A-rated National Scenic Area, National Forest Park, National Geopark, and Nature Reserve—essentially the overachiever of the scenic world, akin to a student with a shelf full of awards.

Like most domestic attractions, entry is granted with your ID card, and you’ll take a shuttle bus to the halfway point of the mountain. From there, you can either walk along the paved road or the wooden boardwalk to reach the stone sign that reads “Tianchi” (Heavenly Lake).

You can then take a downhill path to the left, walking along the lake’s perimeter on the scenic walking trail. Enjoy the serene lake and mountain views, and immerse yourself in the stunning natural landscape.

Alternatively, you can purchase an additional ticket for a cable car ride up to the top of Maya Mountain, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of Tianchi and take in the vastness of the landscape. The viewing platform at the top of Maya Mountain offers an excellent vantage point for the entire lake.

In summer, you can take a boat tour around the lake, feeling the breeze gently brush against your face, providing a unique and charming experience. You can also visit the sacred Xiwangmu Temple, where you can offer prayers and seek blessings for a year of peace and prosperity. People from Taiwan particularly revere this temple, and it attracts many visitors from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

At the shuttle bus stop, instead of heading up towards the main Tianchi area, you can opt to walk downhill to the West Small Tianchi. Legend has it that this is the place where the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) once washed her feet, and the water flows year-round. The pool’s crystal-clear water is deep and serene, surrounded by tower pines. On a clear night, with the moon high in the sky, the still water reflects the moonlight, creating a scene of perfect tranquility. This has led to the spot being called “Dragon Pool with a Jade Moon.”

Ticket Prices:
Adult Ticket: Tianchi admission + bus ticket (155 CNY/person)
Student Ticket: Tianchi admission + bus ticket (107.5 CNY/person)
Birthday Discount Ticket/Children Above 1.3m: Tianchi admission + bus ticket (60 CNY/person)
Children Below 1.3m: Tianchi admission + bus ticket (52.5 CNY/person)