Xinjiang’s Kanas is a destination worth exploring. Here are some suggestions and tips for traveling to Kanas:?
Transportation Guide?
There are two airports near Kanas: Kanas Airport and Altay Airport. Due to the limited number of direct flights to Kanas Airport and their higher prices, it is recommended to depart from Altay Airport, with a journey of about 4 hours to the entrance of the Kanas scenic area.?
Kanas does not have a train station. You can choose to first arrive at Urumqi or Altay Station, and then transfer to transportation heading to the Kanas scenic area.?
Travel Tips?
Kanas and Baihaba are located in the same scenic area with shuttle buses running between them. Hemu Village is in another scenic area and requires taking a coach from Jiadenyu, which takes about an hour.?
To visit Baihaba, a border defense certificate is required, which can be quickly obtained at the police office in the Kanas Transfer Center.?
The cost of admission and shuttle bus for Kanas is a fixed amount. Separate tickets are required for Guanyutai, Baihaba, and Hemu. Specific prices can be inquired from the local tourism department or searched online.?
Recommended route: Shenxian Bay – Moon Bay – Wolong Bay. Each bay has a scheduled stop time for the shuttle bus, allowing tourists to fully enjoy the scenery during this period.?
Accommodation Recommendations?
In Kanas or Hemu, it is recommended to stay in Laocun, where dining and transportation are very convenient. Kanas Laocun can be reached on foot from the Kanas Transfer Center, while Xincun requires taking a shuttle bus.?
If you prefer a quiet environment, consider staying in Xincun. The overall accommodation conditions are better than in Laocun, but transportation is not very convenient.?
During peak seasons, be sure to book homestays in advance. During off-peak seasons, you can book offline directly, and the price may be more favorable.?
Food Exploration?
Xinjiang’s specialty foods, such as Big Plate Chicken, mutton skewers, earth pot hotpot, Baersak, spicy chicken with pepper, baked nang, and more, can be found within the scenic area, and the taste is excellent.?
Itinerary Example?
Below is an example of a 7-day itinerary for Kanas.?
Day 1: Arrive at Kanas Lake. Depart from Yining Airport, take a car to Kanas Lake, and rest well after checking into the hotel.?
Day 2: Explore Kanas Lake. Take a morning walk or bike ride, visit the Kanas Lake Museum, take a boat tour, and participate in a bonfire party at night.?
Day 3: Go on a hiking adventure and choose a suitable hiking trail to start your journey.?
Day 4: Visit nearby attractions, such as Koktokay, Baihaba Songser Glacier, and Mongolian villages.?
Day 5: Relax by Kanas Lake, go fishing, kayaking, or boating. Camp at night to enjoy the starry sky.?
Day 6: Explore surrounding natural landscapes, such as Flaming Mountain and Tengguli River Scenic Area.?
Day 7: Leave Kanas Lake and take a car back to Yining Airport or other destinations.?
Of course, tourists can adjust their itinerary planning according to their own time and preferences to ensure a pleasant and fulfilling trip.?