Here are some travel tips for visiting Hemu and Kanas:?
1. Best Travel Time?
The best time to visit Hemu and Kanas is from May to October. Among them, July to August is the peak season, with breathtaking scenery but relatively more tourists. It is recommended to plan and book accommodation in advance.?
2. Modes of Transportation?
Airplane: The fastest way to enter Xinjiang. Urumqi is the starting point, as it serves as a transit hub for flights to Yining, Kashgar, and Altay. Departing from Urumqi, you can choose to fly to Kanas Airport, with a flight duration of about 1 hour.?
Train: The journey takes a relatively long time, around two days. Not recommended for those with limited time. Kanas Train Station is far from the scenic area. Visitors can take the train to Burqin Station and then transfer to a car to head to Kanas.?
Self-Drive Tour: Considerable for experienced drivers, especially those with long-term driving experience. Not recommended for beginners.?
3. Recommended Travel Routes?
Recommended 5-Day Itinerary:?
D1: Depart from Urumqi and arrive in Burqin. Visit the sunset at Colorful Beach (or Sino-Russian Old Dock Folk Street) and stay overnight in Burqin.?
D2: Depart from Burqin and head to Kanas to visit the Three Bays (Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay) and explore Kanas Lake. Stay overnight in Kanas Old Village or New Village.?
D3: Depart from Kanas and head to Hemu Village to visit Hemu Village and Birch Forest. Participate in a bonfire party and stay overnight in Hemu Village (the old village is closer to Hadeng Viewing Platform but has older facilities; the new village has newer facilities but is farther from Hadeng Viewing Platform).?
D4: Head to Hemu Jikepulin International Ski Resort for skiing (winter) or engage in other outdoor activities. Return to Burqin and revisit the Sino-Russian Old Dock Folk Street to taste local cuisine.?
D5: Return from Burqin to Urumqi to end the trip?
4. Recommended Attractions?
Kanas Scenic Area: Known as the ‘God’s Backyard’, it features mountains, lakes, and forests, with scenery that is picturesque throughout the four seasons. By climbing up to Guanyu Tai, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of Kanas Lake. Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Shenxian Bay offer superb views.?
Hemu Scenic Area: Hadeng Viewing Platform is an excellent location for overlooking Hemu Village and watching sunrises. You can also take the Yunxiaofeng Cable Car for sightseeing and visit attractions such as Meili Peak, Xiaguang Viewing Platform, and Hemu Bridge.?
5. Notes?
Ticket reservation: Kanas Scenic Area implements online real-name timed ticket reservation. During peak seasons, be sure to make reservations in advance. You can enter the park by scanning your ID card without needing to collect tickets.?
Large temperature difference: There is a large temperature difference between morning and night in Xinjiang. Bring warm clothing. In summer, temperatures range from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius, so bring a thick jacket for the night to avoid catching a cold.?
Sunscreen and moisturizing: Xinjiang has strong UV rays, so sunscreen is necessary. Bring a sun hat and sunglasses. The climate is dry, so it is important to stay hydrated and moisturized to avoid dry and cracked skin.?
When planning your itinerary, it is recommended to make appropriate adjustments based on personal interests and time arrangements to ensure a pleasant journey.?