Northern Xinjiang Tourism Kanas Tourism Route Guide
(Same) 0991-8585456
Is there anyone like me who has a strong interest in Kanas tourism just by hearing its name before even arriving at the place? It feels like a fate destined by heaven, a journey that must be taken once in a lifetime. Kanas is such a place for me. Therefore, before going there, I tried my best to learn as much information about Kanas as possible, after all, being well-prepared is a must for a competent tourist. Now I will share what I know with everyone, hoping it will be helpful to you all.
My understanding of Kanas:
Kanas, located in the Altay Prefecture in northern Xinjiang, is a comprehensive scenic area integrating glaciers, lakes, forests, grasslands, pastures, rivers, ethnic customs, and rare animals and plants. It is known as the "Eastern Switzerland, Photographer’s Paradise". Kanas is a Mongolian word meaning "beautiful and fertile, mysterious and unpredictable". Here, the spectacular glaciers contrast with the serene lake, and the vast grasslands encompass deep primitive forests. The mysterious lake monster, the primitive Tuwa people, the changing lake water, and the dazzling scenery all fascinate people. In Kanas, you can mainly visit three places: Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, and Baihaba Village. Kanas Lake is the core attraction, featuring the mysterious Kanas lake monster, as well as Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay, and Moon Bay. Both Hemu and Baihaba are local villages, resembling Swiss towns in style, and are fairyland on earth. Many people believe that these two villages are the essence of Kanas. The Kanas Scenic Area is not only rich in natural resources and biological species but also has a unique tourism environment and human resources. Kanas has the magnificent scenery of the north and the delicate beauty of the south. In addition, there are attractions such as "sea of clouds and Buddha’s light", "color-changing lake", "floating wood causeway", and "lake monster", which can be described as the best and fairy-like scenery in the western regions. To the north of the lake lies the snow-capped Kuitun Mountain and the towering Friendship Peak. The mountains around the lake are layered and dense, with forests like painted screens. Different plant communities are well-defined and colorful. Especially in autumn, trees compete for brilliance: gold, crimson, and dark green present a splendid display. The shrubs in the forest are lush, with moss and wild grass growing on dead leaves and rotten wood. The meadows in the forest clearings are like mushrooms, with bright mountain flowers. When the wind is calm and the waves are flat, the lake water resembles a pool of jade, changing colors with the weather and showcasing different charms from morning to night. When clouds envelop the scene, the snow-capped peaks and spring mountains appear and disappear, as if from another world. In July and August, after rain in the morning, climbing the Camel Peak on the southern section of the lake allows you to witness the miracle of Buddha’s light.
Best Viewing Time:
The flower sea in June and the golden autumn in September are Kanas’ signatures. In June, Kanas is full of spring vitality, with endless greenery that makes people reluctant to leave. After a short summer, the golden September of Kanas arrives, with forests fully colored. The winter in Kanas, with the lake frozen, is equally fascinating.
Kanas also has special winter tourism projects (from October 10th to May 10th of the next year), during which some entrance fees are waived. There is also a "horse-drawn sleigh" project, and a Winter Photography Tourism Festival is held every winter.
Surrounding Transportation:
Kanas is located in the Altay Prefecture in northern Xinjiang. The scenic area has its own airport, and you can choose to fly directly from Urumqi to Kanas. The flight duration is about 50 minutes.
The scenic area does not have a railway station. If you choose to go to Kanas by train, you can only take the train from Urumqi to Beitun and then transfer to a bus to Kanas.
You can take an overnight bus from Urumqi to Burqin, and then transfer to Kanas Scenic Area.
It is also convenient to rent a car to Kanas, especially when there are 7-10 people, as it is inexpensive and saves time.
There are various modes of transportation within the scenic area, mainly including shuttle buses and horseback riding, and in winter, there are also horse-drawn sleighs.
Related Fees:
Ticket
Kanas Scenic Area Ticket: Peak season (May 1st – October 15th) 185 yuan, off-peak season (October 16th – April 30th of the following year) 90 yuan.
Children under 6 years old (including 6 years old) or under 1.2 meters tall, and seniors over 70 years old are exempt from tickets; minors aged 6 (not including 6) to 18 (including 18), full-time university undergraduate students and below, and seniors aged 65-70 with valid ID cards enjoy a 50% discount on tickets, and teachers with valid ID cards enjoy a 20% discount.
Kanas Scenic Area Shuttle Bus: 80 yuan/person
Hemu Entrance Ticket: 60 yuan/person
Baihaba Entrance Ticket: 50 yuan/person
Tuvan Home Visit: 80 yuan/person
Maintenance Fee for Hemu Village and Baihaba Village: 20 yuan/person
One-way Ticket from Kanas Scenic Area to Baihaba Scenic Area: 62 yuan/person
One-way Ticket from Tietieketi Township to Baihaba Scenic Area: 62 yuan/person
Boat Ride: 120 yuan/person
River Rafting: 200 yuan/person
Bonfire Evening Party: 168 yuan/person
Opening Hours: 8:30-19:30 (specific opening hours may be adjusted according to holidays and seasons)
Kanas Lake
Kanas Lake is a mountain lake hidden in the deep mountains of Altay, forming the main body of the entire Kanas scenic area together with Hemu Village in the east and Baihaba Village in the west. Compared to the human landscapes of the other two villages, Kanas Lake captivates people with its mysterious lake monster, changing colors of the lake water, and dazzling natural scenery. The entire lake is crescent-shaped, with the inner side of the crescent being the east bank. There are six platforms protruding towards the center of the lake along the shore, and the viewing platform at the third bay is the best place to enjoy the sunset over the lake. The Fish Viewing Platform located at the top of Camel Peak on the west bank of the lake offers the best view of the panoramic view of Kanas Lake, not only allowing you to take in three-quarters of the lake at a glance, but also to view the surrounding layered mountains and inverted reflections of green peaks.
Baihaba
Baihaba Village is a small Tuvan village. Due to its border location, the village has become the "First Village in the Northwest", the guard post beside the village has become the "First Guard Post in the Northwest", and even the shallow Baihaba River has become the "First River in the Northwest" without hesitation. It is located on the border between China and Kazakhstan, only 1.5 kilometers away from East Sylek, Kazakhstan, connected by a national defense highway.
On the way to Baihaba, you will pass through a "Dragon Coiled Road", winding along a deep gorge, and across the gorge lies the territory of Kazakhstan. Although the border is very close, Baihaba remains peaceful and serene. It is known as one of China’s eight most beautiful towns, with primitive forests, log cabins, curling smoke, light morning mist, and generous yet somewhat mysterious residents, who together form a fairy tale kingdom. There is an old tree stump with a diameter of over 1m north of the village, and a sign next to it reads: "I forgot my age". Perhaps anyone who comes here will forget the passage of time.
Opening Hours: All Day
Hemu Grassland
In the intermontane graben basin where the Kanas River and Hemu River converge, there lies a grassland known as Hemu Grassland. The Hemu River divides the grassland into two halves. The shady slopes of the mountains are covered with dense forests, lush and green, where red deer, marmots, and snowcocks inhabit. While the sunny slopes are covered with green grass and colorful flowers, emitting a fragrant aroma. Bees are busy collecting nectar from flowers, and cattle and sheep graze happily all over the mountains, presenting a charming and vast grassland scenery.
Three Bays of Kanas – Shenxian Bay
Shenxian Bay got its name because the Kanas River was widened by the blockage of debris flows and collapses from downstream. Shenxian Bay is the widest section of the Kanas River within the Kanas Lake scenic area. The valley here is flat, forming large swamps and meadows along the riverbanks. When viewed from the opposite side of the sunlight, the lake surface shines with fine sparkles, as if countless pearls are scattered at will. Hence, it is also called "Pearl Beach". Coupled with the frequent mist and clouds, the mountain scenery, lake water, and trees complement each other, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere, hence the name Shenxian Bay.
Opening Hours: All Day
Three Bays of Kanas – Moon Bay
Moon Bay is nestled between the eastern and western mountains, with the river winding through the mountains in the shape of a crescent moon. The peaks on both sides of Moon Bay are towering, with dense primitive forests and ancient trees. The peninsula-like platform along the riverbank is covered with lush green grass. Due to the difference in lakebed elevation and lighting, the water of Moon Bay exhibits gorgeous and ever-changing colors. It is also a paradise for photographers, with the viewing platforms along the wooden plank road being the best spots for taking photos. Not far from Moon Bay, there is a "Sacred Spring" with high mineral content. People with sensitive stomachs should be cautious when drinking.
Three Bays of Kanas – Wolong Bay
Walking 1km south from Moon Bay is Wolong Bay, named after an island in the water that resembles the shape of a pterosaur. Locals also call it Kazan Lake, or Pot-Bottom Lake, because the shape of the lake resembles the bottom of a pot. The lake is surrounded by dense forests, colorful flowers, and lush green grass, with a picturesque island in the middle. There is a wooden bridge at the outlet of the lake. Standing on the bridge, one can see the mirror-like surface of Wolong Bay to the north and the roaring Kanas River to the south.
Opening Hours: All Day
When you and I arrive here, we will surely marvel at the magnificent work of nature and feel fortunate to witness such a rare beauty in our lifetime. Kanas is such a place that is unforgettable at first sight, a place where no one will regret coming. I look forward to meeting it as soon as possible, eagerly like I have been waiting for dozens of years, because I know Kanas is waiting for me.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456