Kanas is a Mongolian term meaning ‘beautiful and rich, mysterious and unpredictable’. It is located in the deep mountains and dense forests of Altai, with a lake surface elevation of 1374 meters and an area of 44.78 square kilometers, which is ten times larger than the famous Bogda Heavenly Lake. The depth of the lake reaches about 180 meters. The lake surface is vast, with peaks reflected in the water, and the color of the lake changes with the seasons and weather, making it a famous ‘color-changing lake’. In September, the golden autumn is a season dedicated to photographers; Xinjiang is a fairy tale paradise captured by the lens, with forests painted in layers of colors every autumn, creating a picturesque scene.
The Kanas scenic area is located in Burqin County, Altay City, Xinjiang, about 800 kilometers from Urumqi. There are a total of 55 attractions in the scenic area, mainly including Kanas National Geological Park, Baihaba National Forest Park, Kanas River Valley, Naren Grassland, Baihaba Village, Kanas Village, and other natural and cultural landscapes.
The Kanas scenic area boasts the only Swiss-style scenery in Asia. In late autumn, golden birches, redwoods, and verdant cypresses create a magnificent and colorful landscape that is a feast for the eyes. Tourism enthusiasts and photographers will surely have a fulfilling experience.
Traffic Conditions
●Airport: The airports near the scenic area include Altay Airport and Kanas Airport (a seasonal airport). There are passenger buses to the scenic area from the airports.
●Railway Station: Beitun City Station (Urumqi Railway Bureau launched the Urumqi-Beitun City-Horgos tourist train in 2018, operating from April to October, greatly shortening the travel time). There are passenger buses to the scenic area from the railway station.
●Bus Station: Burqin Bus Station (take a passenger bus to Burqin Bus Station within Xinjiang). From the bus station, take a taxi to the scenic area.
●Self-Drive Tour: As long as you have a navigation system, you can reach it. However, I do not recommend a self-drive tour. There is a section of the route within the scenic area that is closed to private cars, and you must take the scenic area sightseeing bus.
Scenic Area Features
●Kanas Lake is the core attraction of the scenic area. It has an ‘ancient legend of water monsters’, and the lake water changes color with the seasons and weather.
●The Fish Viewing Terrace is located on the top of Luotuo Peak on the west bank of Kanas Lake. It was originally built to observe the ‘water monster’, hence its name ‘Fish Viewing Terrace’. Visitors need to climb 1068 steps on foot to reach the Fish Viewing Terrace, from where the entire Kanas Lake can be seen.
●Sanwan is the essence of the scenic area, including Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, and Shenxian Bay.
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (Same) 0991-8585456