What are the winter tourism routes in Xinjiang? Where is suitable to visit in Xinjiang during winter?
How to enjoy Kanas in winter? What are the winter tourism activities in Kanas?
Travel consultation (same)
Winter in Xinjiang is a winter fairy tale in the northwest. Here, the water is clear and sparkling, the mountains rise and fall, the forests are dense, and the scenery is beautiful. In winter, Kanas resembles a winter wonderland from a fairy tale, with snowy ice lakes and a jade-like Kanas winding beneath glaciers and snowy mountains, captivating the imagination.
Why choose to visit Xinjiang in winter? What makes Kanas’ winter tourism different?
①Worth seeing
Compared to the flourishing flowers of spring, the lush green grass of summer, and the brightly colored forests of autumn, Xinjiang’s winter is extremely cold and long. Yet, within this season that makes you grit your teeth with cold, there lies a pure and breathtaking beauty that cannot be seen anywhere else at any other time.
Winter in Xinjiang is a winter fairy tale in the northwest. Here, the water is clear and sparkling, the mountains rise and fall, the forests are dense, and the scenery is beautiful. In winter, Kanas resembles a winter wonderland from a fairy tale, with snowy ice lakes and a jade-like Kanas winding beneath glaciers and snowy mountains, captivating the imagination.
In the morning light, Hemu Village is like a fairyland with morning mist everywhere. Sunlight spills onto the courtyards of Hemu, and the snow gleams, bringing vitality to the entire village. In winter, Hemu is covered in silver and snow, beautiful and elegant.
Here, you can experience the true scenery of the northern region, with thousands of miles of ice-covered landscapes and snowflakes drifting everywhere.
②Low consumption
Compared to the high prices of air tickets, train tickets, scenic area tickets, transportation fees within scenic areas, and lodging expenses in summer and autumn, winter in Xinjiang is much kinder to your wallet.
Major transportation: In winter, the cost of air tickets and train tickets to Xinjiang is very cheap. Direct one-way flights from popular cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen range from 300 to 1000 yuan; one-way train tickets range from 500 to 800 yuan. Air ticket prices are cheaper than long-distance train tickets.
Scenic area tickets: As everyone knows, the biggest expense of traveling to Xinjiang is the scenic area tickets and transportation fees within the scenic area. Compared to other tourist cities, it is an embarrassingly high number. But in winter in Xinjiang, due to limitations, the prices of scenic area tickets are reduced, and the shuttle buses can be replaced by the cars we take, especially in northern Xinjiang. In summer and autumn, the combined ticket price for the three scenic areas of Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba is 340 yuan per person. However, in winter, a single ticket is valid for all three scenic areas, with a price of 90 yuan per person.
Lodging expenses: In popular places like Kanas, Hemu, Baihaba, and Burqin in summer and autumn, the average lodging cost per person per night is around 300 yuan. However, in winter, the average cost is only about 130 yuan per person.
③Relax and enjoy
Every summer and autumn, there is a continuous stream of people traveling to Xinjiang. If you travel during this time, it is no surprise to see long queues at the scenic area ticket offices and bus stops. However, Kanas in winter is not very well-known, so fewer people go. At this time, you can enjoy the beauty of nature to your heart’s content without fear of being disturbed.
What to do in Kanas, Xinjiang in winter?
①Soaking in hot springs
Soaking in hot springs in winter is very beneficial to physical and mental health, as the alternation of hot and cold can dilate and constrict skin blood vessels, promoting blood circulation and metabolism in the body. The五彩湾Ancient Sea Hot Spring Tourist Resort is a great place to soak in hot springs. In winter, it has a unique charm, with light snow floating and the ground covered in silver light. The hot spring pools are bustling with people, creating a scene of clouds and mist. After bathing in the hot springs, skating in swimwear is also a beautiful sight. The setting sun and its afterglow blend together, allowing you to relax and let your thoughts wander to ancient times. At night, you can look up at the starry sky. The五彩湾Ancient Sea Hot Spring Tourist Resort also happens to be on the golden route to the Kanas scenic area and an important tourist hub and transit point. While resting, soaking in the hot springs and enjoying the warmth of winter is an excellent experience in winter.
②Ride a horse-drawn sled
Visiting Kanas in winter, riding a horse-drawn sled is the most fun way of transportation. Riding on snow over a meter deep, fully experience the atmosphere of "no birds flying over the thousands of mountains, no footprints on the ten thousand paths" in the silent valley.
Before Kanas opened winter tourism, the long winter in the Kanas area was blocked by heavy snow, and connection with the outside world could only be achieved by horse-drawn sleds. Riding a sled to witness this unique atmosphere is also the purpose of tourists’ winter visits. In recent years, Kanas has opened winter tourism activities, and with better transportation options, riding a horse-drawn sled has become an even more unique experience. You can choose to take a horse-drawn sled to Hemu’s Meili Peak. Sitting on a horse-drawn sled, shuttling through the vast sea of trees, walking in the world of snow, the scenery along the way will amaze you, as if the snow is overwhelmingly pouring towards you. The sound of horse hooves, the neighing, the splendid scenery, and the joy along the way;
Note: Wear more clothes when riding a horse-drawn sled to prevent cold
③Pass through the snow walls
Kanas is the scenic area with the highest latitude in Xinjiang, with a winter lasting for more than half a year. In winter, the snow is heavy and the wind is strong. When the snow is the thickest on flat ground, it can reach about two meters. In recent years, Kanas Scenic Area has opened winter tourism activities and specifically purchased snowplows to ensure the normal progress of winter travel within the scenic area. Nowadays, snowplows have become a standard configuration for Kanas Scenic Area in winter, providing logistical support for the scenic area’s winter operations. As the snow accumulates thicker and thicker, thick "snow walls" are formed on both sides of the road, reaching a height of one to two meters. The "snow walls" not only prevent vehicles and other transportation means from sliding off the road but will also gradually form a unique landscape.
④Experience the Tuvan wooden cabins
The Altay region is dominated by the Tuvans. The wooden cabins have become a symbol of the Tuvans, appearing particularly primitive and unsophisticated, with traditional characteristics of nomadic peoples. The Tuvans, in an environment far away from civilization, make full use of local resources to build wooden cabins that are warm in winter and cool in summer, with a European style. The rooftops are generally made of wooden boards nailed into an A-frame canopy, and the bodies of the houses are stacked with single-layer logs about 30 to 40 centimeters in diameter, which are both warm and moisture-proof. People who have been to where the Tuvans live will first see the European-style wooden cabins. These pointed-roof, square-based wooden houses, although simple in structure, are highly practical. Living in the wooden cabins of the Tuvans, drinking the milk tea or fermented mare’s milk made by herdsmen, and tasting Xinjiang’s specialty foods have become indispensable unique experiences for tourists.
⑤Watch the sunrise, morning fog, and panoramic view at the viewing platform in Hemu Village
In the early morning, climb up to the viewing platform on the mountain beside Hemu Village to capture the sunrise and morning fog over the village. Standing at the top of the mountain, looking at the wooden huts, as the sunlight gradually advances, overlook this primitive village resembling a fairyland, with cooking smoke rising up to form a dreamlike smoke belt. It seems like this scene can only be described in a fairy tale world. You can also see a panoramic view of Hemu Village, and most of the panoramic photos of Hemu are taken here. Legend has it that Genghis Khan once reviewed his hundred thousand troops here. Just imagine how magnificent and awe-inspiring the scene must have been at that time!
⑦Viewing Snow Mushrooms at Kanas Lake
Every winter, Kanas Lake presents a spectacular sight of snowy fields and snow mushrooms, which are incredibly beautiful, making one marvel at the magnificent workmanship of nature. On the white snowy ground, clusters of snow mushrooms look so fantastical and magical under the setting sun. The snow in the water appears even whiter and smoother, like a fairy tale ice and snow world! You can act like a child, stepping on the snow mushrooms and leaving your cute footprints…
⑧Viewing Kanas Rime
After passing Tuojing Bay, follow the Kanas River upstream. The crystal-clear rime corridor will lead you into a fantastical world. Here are girls singing and dancing lightly, full of youth and vitality; over there are scholars reciting poems, gentle and refined; here are children playing games, lively and cute; and over there are old men with silver hair dancing, kind and broad-minded. There are ‘white orchids’, ‘white plum blossoms’, ‘silver chrysanthemums’, and ‘reed flowers’; there are also ‘snowcocks’, ‘snow hares’, ‘snow deer’, and ‘snow butterflies’. Moreover, the rime here lasts for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about it disappearing quickly.
How many days are suitable for winter travel in Xinjiang, and how should I plan it?
Winter in Xinjiang is very cold with an average temperature of around -13℃, while Kanas has an average temperature of around -18℃, and it can get as cold as -30℃. Therefore, it is not recommended to stay for too long. If you want to enjoy yourself thoroughly without any regrets, 7 days is usually the best choice. You can take a circular route to avoid retracing your steps and visit classic attractions.
What basic knowledge do I need to know about winter tourism in Kanas, Xinjiang?
①Winter Travel Equipment
Equipment: 20L small backpack for personal use, a pair of trekking poles, insulated water bottle, waterproof bag (winter snowfall is heavy, trekking poles will be useful when going to the viewing platform in Hemo).
Skincare essentials: Lipstick, sunscreen, skincare products, face masks (especially for girls, as Xinjiang is very dry).
Tripod, whether in Kanas or Hemo, the night sky is always very bright.
②Sunshine Duration
The sunshine duration in Xinjiang in winter is shorter than that in summer, with sunrise around 8:30 am and sunset around 7:00 pm.
③Are the mountains closed in winter?
The answer is: The mountains are not closed. A few years ago, Kanas Scenic Area started winter tourism activities and specifically purchased snowplows to ensure the normal progress of winter travel within the scenic area. Nowadays, snowplows have become a standard configuration for Kanas Scenic Area in winter, providing logistical support for the winter operation of the scenic area.
What is the average temperature in winter in Xinjiang, and what should I wear?
Winter Temperature: Xinjiang is very cold in winter with an average temperature of around -13℃, while Kanas has an average temperature of around -18℃, and it can get as cold as -30℃. Dressing Guide: Waterproof jacket and pants, down jacket, snow-proof and anti-slip snow boots, quick-drying underwear, disposable underwear (bathing and drying clothes are inconvenient in winter), high-cut hiking boots + gaiters, more than 2 pairs of hiking socks, windproof gloves with separate or half fingers, hand warmers, knee pads, sunglasses + ski goggles, fleece hats with nose holes, sun hats
Winter Tourism Consultation for Kanas (same)