Tianshan Tianchi: A cool mountain escape in NW China's Xinjiang

In northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a short journey into the Tianshan Mountains takes you from 33 degrees Celsius at the foothills to 18 degrees Celsius or even lower near the peaks.

Starting from the alpine waters of Tianchi Lake, visitors can take a cable car toward Mayashan Mountain before continuing on along mountain trails that climb to over 3,000 meters above sea level. Along the way, forests, alpine lakes and snow-capped peaks unfold, with spectacular views of majestic Bogda Peak.