National park · China
Tianshan Tianchi National Park天山天池国家公园
Enter Tianshan Tianchi National Park: take the free bus from Fu Kang to Heaven Lake (≈30 min, ¥10) for a 2–4 h walk to the Fairy statue, or ride the cable car to Maya peak (¥220, 30 min) for panoramic views; avoid the 8 pm last bus.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Park area is listed as 4.9 km² for the lake; the surrounding protected zone varies in different sources (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Urumqi
Tianshan Tianchi National Park protects Heaven Lake and the high‑altitude Tianshan scenery east of Urumqi, offering lake‑side walks, a cable‑car to Maya peak and cultural experiences with local Kazakh families.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2023Listed as part of the Tianshan UNESCO World Heritage area.
Size and age
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²) · national park since 2000
Park area is listed as 4.9 km² for the lake; the surrounding protected zone varies in different sources (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Urumqi.
Why go
- Lake Tianchi and surrounding peaks offer high‑altitude scenery with snow‑capped mountains and spruce forests.
- Cable car to Maya peak provides easy access to panoramic views without a long hike.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; good for photography.
- FebWinter still stable.
- MarSnow melt begins, trails accessible.
- AprMild temps, wildflowers.
- MayWarm, lake level high.
- JunRain possible, occasional thunderstorms.
- JulSummer heat, occasional storms.
- AugPeak heat, occasional rain.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds.
- OctAutumn colours, crisp air.
- NovCold, clear skies.
- DecWinter scenery.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kazakh livestock (horses, goats) and occasional marmotsJun–Oct · Seen on trails and around yurt villages. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Fu Kang entrance | Bus hub, ticket office, small restaurant. | Open daily. |
| Heaven Lake area | Lake, walking trails, Fairy statue, yurt stays. | Free bus from Fu Kang; cable car to Maya peak. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for park centre and key facilities.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Heaven Lake area) | CNY 15 (≈ US$3) | person | Ticket bought at Fu Kang entrance. |
| Cable car to Maya peak | CNY 220 (≈ US$35) | person | 30 min ride. |
| Free bus from Fu Kang to lake | CNY 10 (≈ US$2) | person | Operates year‑round (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Cable car no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥15≈ US$3
- CN¥220≈ US$35
- CN¥10≈ US$2
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.
- Camping
- Not permitted in the park; stay in yurt guesthouses or nearby hotels.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated cooking facilities.
Where to stay
Near the park
Yurt guesthouses near Heaven Lake
Simple rooms with meals, ¥50 per night.
Near the park
Hotel on the road to Fu Kang
Standard rooms, easy access to park entrance.
Safety
Altitude and weather change medium
Late‑night bus schedule low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Fu Kang entrance reachable by car and bus; short walks are level ground.
- Heaven Lake walk is mostly paved but includes stairs; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support local Kazakh families by staying in yurt guesthouses and buying meals.
- Use the free bus instead of private taxis to reduce emissions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tianshan Tianchi National Park?
Entry ticket is ¥15 per adult; the free bus from Fu Kang costs ¥10, and the cable car to Maya peak is ¥220.
What are the best hikes in Tianshan Tianchi National Park?
The 2–4 h walk from the lake to the Fairy statue is the most accessible; the cable‑car‑plus‑short‑walk to Maya peak offers panoramic views.
When is the best time to visit Tianshan Tianchi National Park?
April to May and September to October provide mild weather and clear skies; winter months are cold but offer striking scenery.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is not allowed; stay in yurt guesthouses or the nearby hotel.
Is a guide required for any activities?
A guide is optional for horseback rides; the lake walk and cable‑car ride do not require one.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tianshan Tianchi National Park
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