Heavenly Lake of Tianshan

For other uses, see Tianchi (disambiguation).
Tianchi

Bogda Peak in the distance (August 2005)
Location Bogda Shan (Tian Shan), in Fukang City, Xinjiang
Coordinates 43°53′9.7″N 88°7′56.6″E / 43.886028°N 88.132389°E / 43.886028; 88.132389Coordinates: 43°53′9.7″N 88°7′56.6″E / 43.886028°N 88.132389°E / 43.886028; 88.132389
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 43°53′9.7″N 88°7′56.6″E / 43.886028°N 88.132389°E / 43.886028; 88.132389. The name (天池) literally means Heavenly Lake and can refer to several lakes in mainland China and Taiwan. This Tianchi lies on the north side of the Bogda Shan ("Mountain of God", Bogda is a Mongolian word meaning "God") range of the Tian Shan ("Mountain of Heaven"), about 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of Fukang and 45 kilometres (28 mi) east (straight-line distance) of Ürümqi. 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 highest level scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.[1]

The lake is accessible by Provincial Highway 111 from Fukang.

Media related to Tianchi Lake at Wikimedia Commons

References

  1. ↑ "AAAAA Scenic Areas". China National Tourism Administration. 16 November 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
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