[2025 Fukang Attraction] Travel Guide for Xiwangmu Ancestral Temple (Updated May)

📍 Location: Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 🚗 Transportation: Self-driving: From Urumqi, take the Tu-Wu Expressway for about 1.5 hours to reach the Tianchi Lake parking lot. Parking fee is approx. 💰20 CNY/day. Public transportation: Take a bus from Urumqi North Suburban Bus Station to Fukang (💰approx. 30 CNY/person). Transfer to a bus to Tianchi Lake (💰approx. 15 CNY/person) upon arrival in Fukang. 👍️ Must-See Attractions: Tianchi Lake: 💙 Heavenly realm with jade-like waters reflecting snow-capped mountains. A truly breathtaking sight! Take a boat trip (💰approx. 100 CNY/person) for a closer look at the lake's magnificence. Maya Mountain: 🏔️ Ascend to great heights for a panoramic view of Tianchi Lake and experience the grandeur of overlooking the mountains. Take the cable car (💰approx. 120 CNY/person) to save energy. Temple of the Queen Mother of the West: 🙏 Immerse yourself in Taoist culture, listen to the legends of the Queen Mother of the West, and offer blessings for family and friends. The Iron Needle: 🌲 An ancient elm tree by Tianchi Lake, said to be transformed from the Queen Mother of the West's hairpin. A great spot for photos. 🎟️ Tickets: Peak season (Apr 1–Oct 31): 💰155 CNY/person (including shuttle bus) Off-season (Nov 1–Mar 31): 💰105 CNY/person (including shuttle bus) 💗 Other Tips: 👕 Tianchi Lake is at a high altitude with low temperatures. Bring warm clothes. 🕶️ The plateau region has strong UV rays. Take sun protection measures. 🍫 Bring snacks and water. Food and drinks are expensive inside the scenic area. 📸 Be careful when taking photos. Stay away from the water's edge and cliff edges. 🚮 Protect the environment. Do not litter. Things to Avoid: Unlicensed taxis: 🚫 Unlicensed taxi drivers in Urumqi and Fukang may offer low fares to the scenic area. Always choose official transportation to avoid scams. Expensive food: 🍽️ Food and drinks are expensive inside the scenic area. Bring your own snacks and water or dine at restaurants outside the scenic area. Weather changes: 🌦️ The weather at Tianchi Lake is unpredictable. Bring an umbrella and check the weather forecast. Altitude sickness: ⚠️ Tianchi Lake is at a high altitude. Some visitors may experience altitude sickness. Take precautions such as Rhodiola. Budget: 💰500–800 CNY/person (including transportation, tickets, food, boat trips, etc.) Recommended One-Day Itinerary: Morning: Depart from Urumqi and arrive at Tianchi Lake. Visit Tianchi Lake and Maya Mountain. Lunch: Have lunch inside the scenic area (bring your own or dine at the restaurants). Afternoon: Visit the Temple of the Queen Mother of the West and the Iron Needle. Experience the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Tianchi Lake. Evening: Return to Urumqi. Kind reminder: Tianchi Lake is scenic. Allow ample time to explore and enjoy nature's gifts!

A guide to avoiding pitfalls at Tianchi in Tianshan Mountain. Don’t go there without a good guide! 1. The tour guide will recommend you a Kazakh home visit, saying it costs 100 yuan per person, including food and drinks in the yurt, and there will also be performances! Don't go! This is a pit, the lamb skewers are very salty, and the performance is perfunctory 2. You don't have to take the boat to Tianchi! You can walk to the Xiwangmu Temple, which takes about 20 minutes. 3. Be sure to bring a coat! Because Tianshan is really cold, the sky is clear one second and it rains heavily the next second 4. The last return train is at 20:30, please calculate the time 5. Xinjiang is very sunny in midsummer, so be sure to take good sun protection to avoid sunburn 6. There are many stones with "Tianchi" engraved on them in the scenic spots. There is no need to queue up at the entrance to take pictures. There are many empty seats if you walk inside 7. You don't need to go down to the lowest platform to take pictures with Tianchi. You can take pictures with Tianchi + Snow Mountain by pulling up a large lens at a high altitude. The lowest platform is full of people, and there will always be someone who accidentally breaks into your lens 8. The price of dining in Tianchi Scenic Area is relatively high. You can bring your own water and food to solve lunch to avoid expenses 9. The journey from the winding mountain section is about 40 minutes, so take motion sickness medicine in advance 10. Buy tickets + section tickets online in advance. Although it doesn't save a few dollars, it saves the time of queuing on site. The efficiency of ticket sales on site is very slow. 11. There are several grocery stores from the parking lot to the ticket office. If you need to buy ice sleeves, sun hats, and replenish water, just buy them if you like. : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :

Tested one-day tour guide to Tianchi Lake in Tianshan Transportation: Depart from Urumqi city, about 1.5 hours by car. Free parking at the scenic area, no self-driving allowed inside. Ticket fees: Scenic area ticket + shuttle bus 155 RMB/person Other fees: Electric car in the scenic area: 10 RMB/person (optional, 800 meters walkable) Boat ride: 100 RMB/person West Queen Mother Temple: 10 RMB/person Ma Ya Mountain cable car: 220 RMB/person Opening hours: 8:00-19:00 (April 1 - October 31) 9:30-19:00 (November 1 - March 31) Recommended tour time: about 6 hours Tour sequence: First, depart from Urumqi, arrive at the entrance of Tianchi Lake scenic area in 1 hour, park the car in the parking lot, buy tickets, and go through security check. After entering the scenic area, take the shuttle bus to the Kazakh Folk Garden, about 20 minutes ride. You can see Kazakh culture along the way: Kazakh language, horsehead culture, handmade embroidery, folk dance performances, camel riding, etc. There are Xinjiang specialty foods sold in the folk garden at reasonable prices: baked buns 5 RMB, naan 10 RMB, mixed noodles 20 RMB. Then continue to take the shuttle bus to the lakeside of Tianchi, with about 30 minutes of winding mountain road. There will be a professional guide on the bus explaining the scenery along the way. You will see West Little Tianchi and Stone Gate Line along the way. After arriving at the shuttle bus terminal, you need to walk 800 meters to the lakeside of Tianchi, or you can choose to take the electric car for 10 RMB/person (personally, I think it's unnecessary). After reaching the lakeside, it's time for photo-taking. There are ethnic costumes for rent at 20 RMB/set, very cost-effective. Recommended photo spots: Tianchi Lake, West Queen Mother Temple, Dinghai Shenzhu, Ma Ya Mountain. If you want to overlook the entire Tianchi Lake, I personally recommend taking the cable car. It only takes about 8 minutes to reach the highest point. After getting off the cable car, you can choose a suitable viewing platform (free of charge) according to your physical strength to have a distant view of Bogda Snow Mountain. The Ma Ya Mountain scenic area is at an altitude of 3056 meters, and different viewing platforms will bring different visual feasts. Climbing the West Queen Mother Temple can be a bit strenuous, but it is said that making a wish and burning incense is very effective, so believers must go. Experience sharing: 1. The earlier you depart, the fewer people there are, and the better the experience. 2. Do not sleep while taking the shuttle bus, as some of the best scenery is along the way. 3. The air quality of Tianchi is very good, with a high content of negative oxygen ions, making it very suitable for deep breathing. 4. Tianchi in Tianshan is really worth it, but it requires good weather conditions. Be sure to check the weather forecast before departure and go on a sunny day.

#Overseas travel #China #Urumqi #Xiwangmuzu Temple This is a paid entrance, and you have to climb a long staircase to get to the temple, but all the effort is worth it when you reach the top. The Xiwangmuzu Temple is a Taoist temple located on the eastern foot of Tianshan and Tianchi. Historically, it is believed to have been built in the early Yuan Dynasty and has a tradition of about 800 years... The yellow temple standing majestically against the backdrop of the snow-covered Tianshan and Tianchi Lake is enough to evoke admiration. In particular, the delicate architectural details and historical atmosphere combine to leave a deep impression....The view that gradually widens as you climb the stairs and the mysterious appearance of the temple provide a perfect scene for taking pictures. I recommend this as a special place where you can feel peace of mind in harmony with nature and traditional culture.

Located on the eastern shore of Tianchi in Tianshan, the Xiwangmu Ancestral Temple is a Taoist temple known for its splendid yellow architecture.... This place boasts a unique landscape with the majestic mountains and the emerald Tianchi Lake as its backdrop. The temple's architecture harmoniously blends yellow and red colors, creating a warm and mysterious atmosphere. Especially, behind the temple stands the snow-capped Bogda Peak of Tianshan, whose grandeur dramatically contrasts with the beauty of the architecture. The Xiwangmu Ancestral Temple is a place where nature and Taoist culture combine, offering visitors a special experience of harmony between the lake, mountains, and traditional architecture in a peaceful atmosphere.

The Xiwangmu Ancestral Temple is a historic Taoist temple located on the eastern foothills of Tianshan Tianchi in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. It is known to have been established around 800 years ago and has undergone several renovations and reconstructions, with its current form restored in 1999. This temple, dedicated to the Taoist goddess Xiwangmu, consists of the main hall, a statue of Guanyin, and the east and west halls that enshrine various Taoist deities. Surrounded by snowy mountains and Tianchi Lake, it boasts beautiful scenery and is considered an ideal location according to Taoist feng shui principles. The Xiwangmu Ancestral Temple offers travelers a place to experience Taoist culture and folk beliefs, providing a deep historical and cultural charm.

Tianshan Tianchi is located in Fukang City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang, on the north side of Bogda Peak, about 110 kilometers away from Urumqi City. It is a famous tourist destination in Xinjiang. The following is a travel guide to Tianshan Tianchi: • Transportation: • Airplane: You can first fly to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, and then take a long-distance bus or charter car to Tianshan Tianchi; • Train: After taking the train to Urumqi Station, you can also choose a long-distance bus or charter car to go; • Self-driving: Xinjiang has good road conditions, and self-driving to Tianshan Tianchi is a great way to experience the scenery along the way. • Accommodation: • Accommodation in the scenic area: There are some hotels and resorts in the Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area for tourists to choose from, but the number is limited. It is recommended to book in advance; • Surrounding accommodation: There are also many accommodation options around the scenic area, ranging from budget hotels to high-end resort hotels. • Recommended attractions: • Tianchi: The core attraction of Tianchi in Tianshan Mountain, with clear blue water and surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the scenery is picturesque; • Xiwangmu Ancestral Temple: Located on the east bank of Tianchi, it is the legendary residence of Xiwangmu, with profound cultural heritage; • Bogda Peak: Standing on the north side of Tianchi, it is one of the symbols of Xinjiang. The peak is covered with snow all year round and is magnificent; • Maya Mountain: Located on the southwest side of Tianchi, the mountain is steep and shaped like a horse tooth. It is a good place for hiking enthusiasts; • Dinghai Shenzhen: An ancient elm tree growing on the shore of Tianchi Lake is regarded by locals as the "magic needle" guarding Tianchi. • Food recommendations: • Xinjiang food: Around Tianshan Tianchi, you can taste authentic Xinjiang food, such as lamb skewers, hand-pulled rice, baked buns, etc. • Special snacks: In addition, there are some local special snacks worth trying, such as yogurt rice dumplings, pepper and sesame chicken, etc. • Travel Tips: • Best travel time: Summer and autumn are the best travel seasons for Tianshan Tianchi, when the weather is suitable and the scenery is charming; • Sun protection measures: Xinjiang has strong sunshine, so please be sure to take sun protection measures, such as applying sunscreen and wearing sunglasses; • Respect local culture: During the tour, please respect local culture and customs, and do not arbitrarily destroy the environment or interfere with the lives of local residents. When traveling to Tianshan Tianchi, you also need to pay attention to safety, abide by the regulations of the scenic area, and protect the environment. I hope this travel guide can help you with your trip. I wish you a pleasant journey!

🏞️Travel through ancient and modern times and explore the secret realm of "Yaochi"! Tianshan Tianchi is a half-moon-shaped jasper lake that enchants the soul. It is backed by the majestic Bogda Peak and surrounded by green spruce trees. It seems like you have stepped into a moving picture. 🖼️ ㅤ 🚗Transportation Tips: From Urumqi city, it only takes 1-1.5 hours by car🚗, so you can get there easily! Parking in the scenic area is super convenient and free! However, self-driving vehicles cannot enter the scenic spot directly. You have to transfer to a shuttle bus~🚌 ㅤ 💰Overview of costs: 🚌Ticket + shuttle bus: 155 yuan/person 🛵Blue battery car: 10 yuan/person, if you don’t want to walk, you can consider it 🚢Cruise around the lake: 100 yuan/person. The lake is sparkling and the cruise experience is great! ⛴Xiwang💁‍♀️Mazu Temple & Ferry: 10 yuan + 40 yuan, make a wish and burn incense, and feel the mysterious power of ancient legends. 🚠Maya Mountain Cableway: 220 yuan/person, a high-altitude view, a visual feast! 🚡 ㅤ ⏰Please remember the opening hours: Peak season (4.1-10.31): 8:00-19:00 Off-season (11.1-3.31): 9:30-19:00 👏Recommended play time: 6-7 hours ㅤ ✅See here for the tour order: Parking lot: You can reach the Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area in about an hour from Urumqi. Park your car at the door and buy a ticket for security inspection. ㅤ Shuttle bus-Kazakh Folk Garden: It takes about 15 minutes, and you can spend about 30 minutes here. You can learn about the various cultures of the Kazakhs along the way. ㅤ Shuttle bus-Tianchi: You need to take a 5km long winding mountain road, which takes 30 minutes. There will be a guide on the bus to introduce the scenery along the way. ㅤ To Tianchi Lake: get off the car and walk 800 meters. Of course, you can also choose to take a blue battery car, 10 yuan/person (personally I don’t think it is necessary) ㅤ Must-visit attractions: Xishan Queen Mother Temple, Dinghai Shenzhen, and Feilongtan. ㅤ Maya Mountain Scenic Area: The altitude is 3056 meters. If it takes about 8 hours to climb up, you can also directly take the alpine ropeway, which only takes 5-6 minutes. It takes 20-40 minutes to get off the ropeway and climb to the highest point. You can climb up to the Bogda Snow Mountain and have a distant view. ㅤ ✨If you don’t want to be too tired or only have half a day, the recommended route is as follows: Two sections of shuttle bus➡️Tianchi side➡️Feilongjian Trail➡️Feilongtan➡️Turn back to Tianchi➡️Shuttle bus goes down the mountain ㅤ 🔔Here are some tips: 1️⃣ Those who get up early 🐦 are the ones who catch the worm. The earlier you go, the fewer people there will be and the better the experience will be! 2️⃣ Tips for taking shuttle buses: Sit on the right side on the way out to enjoy the scenery, then switch to the left side on the way back to enjoy double the scenery! 3️⃣ Take a deep breath, the fresh air of Tianshan Tianchi is a luxury that the city cannot provide! 4️⃣ The weather determines everything. Going to Tianshan on a sunny day is so beautiful that you’ll cry! Remember to check the weather forecast! ㅤ