Tian Shan translates to "Mountain of Heaven" and according to the UNESCO World Heritage site, it is "the largest mountain chain in the world's temperate arid region, and the largest isloated east-west mountain range globally. The Xinjiang portion of the Tianshan runs east-west for 1,760km and is a mountain range of outstanding natural beauty."
It is only an hour and a half's drive from Urumqi to get to the park where we can see the snow-capped mountain but really only the top part of the mountain is visible. We had a leisurely cruise on the Lake of Heaven but it is not a big lake so it didn't take long. We took a gondola up the mountain side to the top where some of the group did a short hike at the top. The rest sat back and relaxed in the coffee shop enjoying the view.
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Tian Shan
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On the way to Tianchi, the Lake of Heaven, we stopped at a small alpine lake (Eastern Small Tianchi or Black Dragon Pond) with jade green waters - a foretaste of Lake of Heaven.
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| We also stopped for lunch near this waterfall wih a waterwheel |
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| Finally, the beautiful Tianchi with Tianshan in the distance |
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Trails around the lake
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| This tree is regarded as the magic stabilizer and worshipped as such with all the prayers tied to its branches. |
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Fall colours were emerging
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I like how pavillions dot the trails - decorated resting places for people typically depicted in Chinese landscape paintings |
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| We cruised the lake on this traditionally decorated boat |
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| Tian Shan TianChi panorama |
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The view as we went up on the gondola |
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| At the top |
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| As you can see, most of the trails were built with wood steps as in most National Parks I've been to in China, While it is much easier to walk on gravel trails, steps probably require less maintenance. |
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| Interesting rock formations on the mountains |
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There would be more fall colours as we travelled north and to higher altitudes in the coming days.
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