The best travel guide for Kanas is as follows:?
I. Best Travel Time?
Kanas has a vast territory with distinct characteristics in each season. However, overall, the golden period for tourism is from May to October:?
May to June: The grasslands in the Yili area are lush and wildflowers bloom in competition. The ice and snow on Sayram Lake begin to melt, making it an excellent time to enjoy natural scenery.?
July to August: Temperatures rise and fruits ripen, making it the peak season to visit Kanas, Hemu, and other northern Xinjiang scenic areas. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful, but there are relatively more tourists.?
September to October: Autumn is like a palette overturned by nature, colorful and a heaven for photographers.?
II. Must-Visit Attractions?
Kanas Lake: The lake water is clear and the surrounding snow-capped mountains are breathtakingly beautiful, making it the core attraction of the scenic area. You can take a cruise boat to experience the beauty of the lake up close.?
Guanyutai: Climbing up Guanyutai allows you to overlook the entire beauty of Kanas Lake and feel the grandeur of nature. It is recommended to watch the sunrise or sunset, but the attraction may not be open in bad weather.?
Three Bays: Including Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay, hiking through the forest is picturesque in all seasons, especially in autumn.?
Hemu Village: An original wooden house village where you can experience local life.?
Baihaba Village: Located near the scenic area, it is China’s ‘Last Primitive Village’ with rich folk customs.?
III. Tickets and Transportation?
Ticket Information: The Kanas scenic area pass (ticket + shuttle bus) is 375 yuan/person for 3 days. There are also one-day and two-day ticket options priced at 230 yuan and 270 yuan, respectively. Specific prices may be adjusted according to the season and policies.?
Means of Transportation:?
Airplane: You can arrive at Urumqi Diwopu International Airport or Kanas Airport. Flights from Urumqi to Kanas Airport take about 1 hour.?
Train: After arriving at Burqin Station, transfer to a bus to Kanas.?
Car: There are direct long-distance buses to the Kanas scenic area from places like Urumqi and Burqin, with a journey time of about 8 hours.?
IV. Accommodation and Food?
Accommodation Recommendations:?
Inside the Scenic Area: You can choose to stay in a homestay or hotel for an immersive experience, but during peak seasons, accommodation may be tight and prices higher.?
Around the Scenic Area: There are many hotels and homestays to choose from in Burqin County, which offer better value for money but require taking a bus to and from the scenic area.?
Food Recommendations:?
Special Cuisine: The cuisine in the Kanas area is mainly based on Xinjiang specialties, such as roast whole sheep, hand-grabbed rice, and baked buns.?
Local Specialty: Kanas Lake Stewed Fish is a must-try delicacy, with delicious meat and rich nutrition.?
Ethnic Cuisine: There are many ethnic restaurants in Burqin County, where you can taste the cuisine of ethnic groups such as Uyghurs and Kazakhs.?
V. Precautions?
Warm Clothing: The diurnal temperature variation in the Kanas area is large, so please bring warm clothing.?
Sunscreen: The ultraviolet rays in the scenic area are strong, so sunscreen measures are needed.?
Time Arrangement: Half a day of sightseeing can focus on the Three Bays, without the need to visit Guanyutai (Fish Viewing Terrace) or cruise the lake. There are no shuttle buses leaving the scenic area after 8 PM, so please arrange your time reasonably.?
Following this guide, you can fully experience the beautiful scenery and local customs of Kanas, leaving behind wonderful memories.?