Ningwu Heavenly Lake Tian-chi (宁武天池 ) is one of the three famous Alpine lakes in China. It lies on the east top of Watershed at Mountain Guancen-shan （管涔山） 20km southwest of Ningwu County. There were originally 15 irregular sized natural lakes at the mountain torrents and The Heavenly Lake Tian-chi is the biggest and currently the only one that was not dried up among all. These natural lakes were formed during the 4th icing age era 3 millions years ago. Tien-chi, listed as the first of the Ningwu's 8 ancient sights in the past, is a glaring pearl at town.
Since it exists, Heavenly Lake appears as clear as a mirror, never dried up in drought and never over-flowed in raining season. Where was the source of water coming from, remains a mystery until today.
The 10-20 meter deep Tian-chi was named as Fenyuan Heavenly Lake (汾源天池） in the past. It appeared like a half-moon. But due to the recent development, its water level was found slightly dropped and shape of 1.6km long by 1km wide water surface looks more like an oval shape now.
Lake Tian-chi lies at about 1800 meter above sea level. It occupies a land area of 4 sq.km and had been quite a popular cooling resort site since 2300 years ago.
Commencing from Warring States Period (475-221BC), Tian-chi had been a notable vacation resort site from dynasty to dynasty, to many emperors, nobles and literates.
During Northern Wei Dynasty （北魏 386-534） in the reign of Emperor Xiaowen-di （孝文帝）, Tien-chi was official declared as a royal vacation resort. It was said that the king had once tried to find out the flow of water that connected to the lakes, by inserting pearls into 7 fishes and released them to the lake and shot an arrow into a flying whale from the lake. The sea creatures were said to be later found at 100 over miles away from the lakes, a place where the present Songgan River is .
The most glorious time of Tian-chi was during Sui and Tang dynasty (隋唐 581-907). A large scheme luxurious Palace Fenyang-gong （汾阳宫） was built around the lake by Emperor Sui Yang-di （隋炀帝） after he traveled northward to this place for hunting in year 608. The Palace was complete in year 617 but two years later, it was destroyed by an aggressive general Liu-wuzhou （刘武周）, who was reputable in battle for the control of kingdom, with Li-shiming (李世民）, the founder of Tang Dynasty.
During Tang Dynasty (618-907), a large horse breeding center was built in the surroundings of the lakes. An average of 70,000 cavalry horses were produced from the center each year. That's the reason why Tian-chi was also known as Maying Lake (马营海） and Mother's Lake （母海）.
Until today, the crystal clear and serene Lake Tien-chi is still a place of attraction to many tourists, abroad and locals.
It was said that Tian-chi always appears clean and clear at all times as whenever there was a fallen leave or a grass found on its surface, a kind of sacred bird would appear and carried them away.
After the development of tourism, boating is one of the most welcomed activity at the lakes site.
Fishing is allowed as there are many kinds of fish in the lake especially the carps.
An ancient wooden fishing boat.
The unique living chalets for summer vacationers.
Each year on 15th day of 6th lunar month, tradition fest of Miao-hui （庙会） is organized by locals to attract tourists.
The marble arch way to lakes site
Temple Haiying-si （海瀛寺） was restored recently with building fund financed by all walks of life from Ningwu Society.
Temple Haiyin-si was originally an ancient temple from glorious Tang Dynasty.
Nearby village
The healthy juice that made from these wild Shaji fruits （山棘果） was really nice to drink when it was chilled.
The magnificent neighboring maintain ranges.
The route from Ningwu town.
The town of Ningwu.
By road or train, the route from Xinzhou to Ningwu is not really a distance.
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