Kanas Lake in Xinjiang is a tourist destination that integrates natural scenery, cultural landscapes, and mysterious legends. The following is a detailed introduction to tourism at Kanas Lake:?
1. Basic Overview of Kanas Lake?
Kanas Lake is located in the north of Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It is a mountain lake and inland freshwater lake nestled in the deep mountains of the Altay Mountains. The lake surface is at an altitude of 1,374 meters, with an area of 45.73 square kilometers and a maximum depth of 188.5 meters. Its water storage capacity reaches 5.38 billion cubic meters. Kanas Lake, with its magnificent natural scenery and rich natural landscapes, is praised as a ‘fairyland on earth, the garden of gods’ and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction.?
2. Natural Scenery?
Lakes and Snow-capped Mountains: Kanas Lake resembles a jade embedded in the valley. The color of the lake water changes with the seasons and light, contrasting beautifully with the snow-capped peaks of the Altai Mountains, creating a breathtaking view.?
Primitive Forest: The primitive forest by the lakeside is composed of Korean pine, spruce, and fir, which complement the lake scenery and mountains, resembling a replica of the Swiss Alps.?
Autumn Feast: From September to October each year, Kanas ushers in the most splendid season of the year. Golden birch forests, fiery red maple leaves, and dark green pine and cypress trees are layered upon each other, reflecting on the shimmering lake surface, forming a flowing oil painting.?
3. Cultural Landscapes?
Tuva Culture: The Tuva people reside within the Kanas scenic area, preserving their traditional way of life and cultural customs. Tourists can visit the Tuva villages, enjoy their singing and dancing performances, and taste special local cuisine.?
Historical Relics: Within the Kanas scenic area, there are also historical and cultural relics such as the platform where Genghis Khan’s western expedition army reviewed their troops and ancient rock paintings, providing tourists with opportunities to understand the local history and culture.?
4. Mysterious Legends?
Kanas Lake is renowned for its depth and mystery, especially the legend of the ‘lake monster’ that is fascinating. It is said that there are ‘water monsters’ in the lake that can devour cattle and sheep and overturn wooden boats, but in reality, this may be caused by a local specialty, the large red fish (Hucho taimen).?
5. Travel Suggestions?
Best travel time: The golden period for visiting Kanas Lake is from May to October. Among them, the autumn scenery in September and October is the most charming and a paradise for photographers.?
Must-visit attractions: Besides Kanas Lake itself, there are also classic attractions such as Fish Viewing Platform, Wolong Bay, and Moon Bay that are worth visiting.?
In summary, Kanas Lake in Xinjiang is a comprehensive eco-tourism area that integrates natural scenery, cultural landscapes, and mysterious legends. It is worth visiting by every tourist.?