Winter travel guide for Kanas in Xinjiang’s winter travel guide,
Xinjiang tourism inquiry hotline: (same) 0991-8585456
Winter in Xinjiang is a winter fairy tale in the northwest, with crystal-clear waters, undulating mountains, dense forests, and beautiful landscapes. In winter, Kanas resembles a snowy fairyland from a fairy tale, with snow-covered icy lakes. Under the blue sky, the jade-like Kanas River winds its way past glaciers and snowy mountains, captivating the hearts and minds of all who see it.
Why choose to go to Xinjiang in winter? What makes Kanas’ winter tourism different?
①Worth Seeing
Compared to the blooming flowers of spring, the lush green grass of summer, and the colorful 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 pure and stunning scenery that you can never see in other seasons or places.
Winter in Xinjiang is a winter fairy tale in the northwest, with crystal-clear waters, undulating mountains, dense forests, and beautiful landscapes. In winter, Kanas resembles a snowy fairyland from a fairy tale, with snow-covered icy lakes. Under the blue sky, the jade-like Kanas River winds its way past glaciers and snowy mountains, captivating the hearts and minds of all who see it.
Here, you can experience the real scenery of the northern region, with thousands of miles of ice and snow covering the land.
②Ride a Horse-Drawn Sleigh
Visiting Kanas in winter, the most interesting way to travel is by horse-drawn sleigh. Riding on snow more than a meter deep, fully experience the atmosphere of "no birds flying over the mountains and no footprints on the paths" in the silent valley.
Before Kanas opened its winter tourism, the long winter in the Kanas area was blocked by heavy snow, and the connection with the outside world could only be made through horse-drawn sleighs. Taking a sleigh to witness this unique scenery is also a purpose for tourists to visit during winter. In recent years, Kanas has opened winter tourism activities and has better transportation options. Riding a horse-drawn sled has become an even more unique experience. You can choose to ride a horse-drawn sled to the beautiful peak of Hemu Village, sit on the horse-drawn sled, and shuttle through the vast forest and walk in the snowy world. The scenery along the way will amaze you, as if the snow is pouring towards you from all directions. Along the way, there are the sounds of horse’s hooves and neighing, and breathtaking scenery and joy.
Note: When riding a horse-drawn sled, wear more clothes to stay warm, and be careful when taking photos, especially when going downhill.
③Pass Through the Snow Wall
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 winds are strong, and the thickest snowfall on flat ground can reach about two meters. In recent years, Kanas Scenic Area has opened winter tourism activities and specially purchased snowplows to ensure the normal operation of winter travel within the scenic area. Nowadays, snowplows have become a standard configuration for Kanas Scenic Area during winter, providing logistical support for the winter operation of the scenic area. As the snow accumulates thicker and thicker, thick "snow walls" are formed on both sides of the road, reaching one to two meters high. The "snow walls" not only prevent vehicles and other transportation tools from sliding off the road but also gradually form a unique landscape.
④Experience the Tuvan Wooden Cabin
The Altay region is dominated by the Tuvans, and the wooden cabins have become a symbol of the Tuvans, appearing particularly primitive and rustic, with traditional characteristics of nomadic peoples. The Tuvans, in an environment far from the civilized world, fully utilize 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 planks nailed into an A-frame canopy, and the bodies of the houses are stacked with single-layer logs with a diameter of thirty to forty centimeters, which are both warm and moisture-proof. Those who have been to the places where the Tuvans live will immediately see the European-style wooden cabins. These wooden houses with pointed roofs and square bases, 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 the unique cuisine of Xinjiang, has become an indispensable and unique experience for tourists.
⑧Viewing Kanas rime
After passing Tuojing Bay, follow the Kanas River upstream, and 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; over there are old men with silver hair fluttering, kind and magnanimous. There are "white orchids", "white plum blossoms", "silver chrysanthemums", and "reed flowers"; there are also "snow chickens", "snow rabbits", "snow deer", and "snow butterflies". Moreover, the rime here lasts for a long time, so you don’t have to worry about it disappearing in an instant.
How many days are suitable for winter travel in Xinjiang, and how to play?
Winter in Xinjiang is very cold, with an average winter temperature around -13℃, and Kanas has an average temperature of around -18℃, dropping to -30℃ on colder days. Therefore, it is not recommended to stay for too long. If you want to enjoy yourself thoroughly without any regrets, generally 7 days is the best choice, allowing you to take a circular route without repeating the same path and visit classic attractions.
Tianshan Tianchi + Wucaiwan Ancient Sea Hot Spring for one day; Kanas for one day, Hemu for one day, Hemu Beautiful Peak for one day, Urho Magic City for one day, Kuitun Grand Canyon for one day. It just fits a circular route.
What basic knowledge do I need to know about winter travel to Kanas in Xinjiang?
①Winter travel equipment
Equipment: 20L daypack for personal use, a pair of trekking poles, insulated water bottle, waterproof bag (heavy snow in winter, trekking poles will be useful when going to the Hemu observation deck.)
Essential skincare products: lipstick, sunscreen, skincare products, face masks (a must for girls), Xinjiang is very dry.
Cash: There are no ATMs throughout Kanas scenic area, including Hemu
Tripod, whether in Kanas or Hemu, the night sky is always very bright.
②Sunshine duration
The sunshine duration in winter in Xinjiang 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 travel activities and specially purchased snowplows to ensure normal winter travel within the scenic area. Nowadays, snowplows have become a standard configuration for Kanas scenic area during winter, providing logistical support for the winter operation of the scenic area.
What is the approximate winter temperature in Xinjiang, and what should I wear?
Winter temperature: Xinjiang is very cold in winter, with an average winter temperature around -13℃, and Kanas has an average temperature of around -18℃, dropping to -30℃ on colder days. 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 + snow 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 for ventilation, sun hats
Winter travel guide for Kanas in Xinjiang’s winter travel guide,
Xinjiang tourism inquiry hotline: (same) 0991-8585456