The
Heavenly
Lake
(Tianchi
Lake) is situated
to the east of the Tianshan
Mountain range,
north of Bogda
Peak, 97 km south
of Urumuqi. Known as Yaochi in ancient times, the lake surface elevates 1,910
meters above sea level, with an average depth of 60 meters. Surrounding the
Heavenly
Lake are snow
mountains, glacier forests and grassland alpine lakes, featuring a vertical natural landscape belt. The
snow line of Mt.
Bogda is 3,860
meters above sea level, making it rich in glacier resource. Numerous
super-glacial rivers formed by the melting snow and ice, ice bridges, ice
mushrooms and ice fountains can be seen on the glaciers. There are many
super-glacial lakes and moraine lakes scattered in front of the glaciers. The
vast expanse of mountain land and forests at the foot of
Mount
Bogada are also
rich in plant and animal resources.
In summer, the beautiful lake is an ideal cool
resort. Boaters on the lake see the ever-changing silvery mountains soaring into
the blue sky, their slopes highlighted with verdant pasture and flamboyant wild
flowers. Fishing at dusk has its own special charm. A day in this fairyland
promises restoration.
Heavenly
Lake, a relic of
the Quaternary Period Glacier and its surrounding geological relics, offers
science lovers exploring opportunities
.
As if the
natural beauty of Heavenly
Lake were not
enough, legend adds a mysterious touch. It is said that the West Queen (Xi Wang
Mu) entertained King Mu of the Western Zhou Dynasty (1100B.C.-771B.C.) at the
Lake. The
West Queen fell in love with the king and asked him in her poem, 'The white
clouds drift while the mountains reach the blue sky. Passing thousands of
mountains, crossing ten thousands of rivers, you come to us from a faraway
place. If you are still strong and fine, would you like to come back to us
again?' The king answered in his poem, 'After I go back to central
China and
lead the people to a prosperous life, I will come to you
again.'
We do not know
why the king never returned. Only the placid lake and the silent mountains
witnessed the lovesickness of the West Queen.
