Located 110 kilometers east of Urumqi, Tianchi Lake occupies an area of almost 5 square kilometers. The name of the lake translates as "Heavenly lake". The Snow-fed lake is crescent-shaped and got its name from Tianshan Mountain, which feeds the lake.

The lake was known as Yaochi (Jade Lake) until it was renamed Tianchi in 1783, during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), by the commander of the local garrison. The lake is located 2,000 meters above sea level and is 105 meters deep at its deepest point.

There is a legend associated with the lake. According to legend, the West Queen was entertaining King Mu of the Western Zhou Dynasty (110BC-771BC) at the lake when she fell in love with the king. She asked the king, in a poem if he would come back. The king answered with a poem saying he would return after helead the Chiense people to a prosperous life.