Heavenly Lake of Tianshan (Tianchi)

Most visitors arrive here from Urumqi by taking the tourist bus, which takes a few hours, or by going on a group or private tour. Chinese tourists love this area, and many large coach tours just stop off at the entrance for a few quick photos before moving on. A better way to really get a feel for the lake is to do some hiking, either in the trails around the lake or to walk around the entire thing, which can take up to five hours.

• Pack a picnic and a blanket, walk around the lake away from the crowds, and enjoy an al fresco luncheon.

• There are plenty of small shops where you can purchase food if you don’t want to go on a picnic.

• Protect yourself from the intense Xinjiang sun with hats, long sleeves, and sunscreen.

• Note that often Chinese tour operators make stops at several souvenir shops, whether you want to or not.

There are a few ways to get to Heavenly Lake from Urumqi. There are tourist buses taking two hours that leave from a few spots in the city. Another route is to take a bus to the nearest town to the lake, Fukang, and then a different bus to the lake. The most direct way is to hire a private driver and car who will wait for you to explore and then drive you back to Urumqi.

The lake is often covered by snow for several months of the year, so aim for visiting around June through September. Here, the weather is warmer, and the skies and roads are clear. Avoid the first weeks of May and October, which are national holidays, when all the tourist sites in China are flooded with guests.

Especially in the summertime, when the days are sweltering and long, dinner doesn’t start until 10pm or later. The best places to eat are at Urumqi’s night markets, either at the Grand Bazaar with local cultural performers or at Hualing Xihongshi night market, where you’ll find a whole lot of meat on sticks, plus things you’ve most likely never seen before.