Tianchi

Infobox lake
lake_name = Tianchi
image_lake = Tianshan_tianchi.jpg
caption_lake = Bogda Peak in the distance (August 2005)
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Tian Shan, Xinjiang
coords = coord|43|53|9.7|N|88|7|56.6|E|region:CN_type:waterbody|display=inline,title
type =
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = China
length =
width =
area = convert|4.9|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|lk=on
depth =
max-depth = convert|105|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=on
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|2000|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off
islands =
cities =

Tianchi (Chinese: 天池, pinyin: tiānchí) is a lake in Xinjiang, China, situated at coord|43|53|9.7|N|88|7|56.6|E|region:CN_type:waterbody. The name literally means "Heaven Lake" or "Heavenly Lake" (in Mandarin Chinese) and can refer to several lakes in China and Taiwan. This Tianchi lies on the north side of Bogda Peak of Tianshan Mountains, about 40 km east of Fukang County and 110 km east of Urumqi, in China. (Bogda is a Mongolian word, meaning "God".) It is an alpine drift lake shaped in the Quaternary Glacier period.

Formerly known as Yaochi (Jade Lake), it was named Tianchi by Mingliang in 1783, the Qing Dynasty Commander of Urumqi Command.

The lake is 2,000 m above sea level, covering 4.9 km², 105 m 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 was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1990.

Trivia

The Mountain Goats released a song on the album Heretic Pride called "Tianchi Lake" which takes place in said lake.

External links

*http://www.xinjiang.gov.cn/1$002/1$002$002/354.jsp?articleid=2005-6-16-0021
*http://www.chinaetravel.com/attraction/att27a.html
*http://china.org.cn/english/environment/181476.htm
*http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2006-09/18/content_691034.htm