What equipment should you bring for winter tourism in Xinjiang?
Equipment: A 20L backpack for personal use, a pair of trekking poles, a vacuum flask, a waterproof bag (due to heavy snow in winter, trekking poles are useful when going to the viewing platform in Hemu).
Essential skincare items: Lip balm, sunscreen, skincare products, facial masks (a must for girls), as Xinjiang is very dry.
Cash: There are no ATMs throughout Kanas Scenic Area, including Hemu.
A tripod is useful, as the night sky is always bright, whether in Kanas or Hemu.
Is the sunshine duration in winter in Xinjiang the same as that in summer?
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.
In winter, will the mountains in Northern Xinjiang be closed?
Answer: The mountains will not be closed. Several years ago, Kanas Scenic Area initiated winter tourism activities and specifically purchased snowplows to ensure the normal progress of winter travel within the scenic area. Nowadays, snowplows have become standard equipment for Kanas Scenic Area during winter, providing logistical support for its winter operations.
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°C. The average temperature in Kanas is around -18°C, and it can get as cold as -30°C during colder spells.
1. Dressing Guide: Waterproof jacket and pants, down jacket, snow boots with anti-slip soles, quick-drying underwear, disposable underwear (inconvenient for bathing and drying clothes in winter), high-cut hiking boots + gaiters, more than 2 pairs of hiking socks, windproof gloves with separate or half-finger design, hand warmers, knee pads, sunglasses + ski goggles, fleece cap with nose vents, sun hat.
Suggestion: Due to personal gastrointestinal issues, some people may not be able to adapt to the local diet. Additionally, with the colder weather, it is recommended to bring gastrointestinal and cold medications. It is also advisable to carry some dry food for energy replenishment on the road, such as chocolates, biscuits, etc.
When visiting Xinjiang in winter, what information do you need to know about Kanas winter tourism?
Ticketing Information:
Winter tourism in Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba scenic areas operates on a one-ticket system with a ticket price of 90 yuan (excluding the shuttle bus, which operates at the summer price). Tourists can enter the scenic area by purchasing tickets online or offline.
Tourism Weather Information:
The scenic area ensures that all roads are open 24/7 during winter. For extreme weather such as blizzards, the scenic area will post relevant information in advance on the Kanas official website platform. Please pay attention before traveling.
How to enjoy Kanas when you get there?
Ride a Horse-Drawn Sleigh
When traveling to Kanas in winter, taking a horse-drawn sleigh is the most fun way of transportation. Riding on snow more than a meter deep, fully experience the atmosphere of "not a single bird in the sky, not a footprint on the ground" in the silent valley.
Before Kanas opened its winter tourism, the long winter in the Kanas area was blocked by heavy snow, and connection with the outside world could only be made by horse-drawn sleighs. Riding a sleigh to witness this unique scenery was also a goal for tourists in winter. In recent years, Kanas has launched 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 Beautiful Peak, ride through the boundless forest sea, and walk in a world of snow. The scenery along the way will amaze you, as if the snow is overwhelmingly pouring towards you. All the way, the sound of horse hooves, the neighing, the splendid scenery, and the joy;
Note: When riding a horse-drawn sled, wear more clothes to keep warm, and be careful when taking photos, preferably not while going downhill.
Crossing the Snow Wall
Kanas is the scenic area with the highest latitude in Xinjiang, with winters lasting for more than half a year. In winter, the snow is heavy and the winds are strong, with snow accumulating up to about two meters deep on flat ground. In recent years, the Kanas scenic area has launched winter tourism activities and specifically purchased snowplows to ensure the normal operation of winter travel within the scenic area. Nowadays, snowplows have become a standard configuration for the 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 a height of one to two meters. The "snow walls" not only prevent vehicles and other transportation from sliding off the road but will also gradually form a unique landscape.
Experience the Tuvan Log Cabin
The Altay region is dominated by the Tuvans, and the log cabins have become a symbol of the Tuvans, appearing particularly primitive and rustic. The Tuvans, in an environment far removed from the civilized world, 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 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, providing both warmth and moisture resistance. Those who have visited the living places of the Tuvans will immediately see the European-style log cabins. These wooden houses with pointed roofs and square bases, although simple in structure, have strong practicality. Living in the log cabins of the Tuvans, drinking the butter tea or fermented mare’s milk made by herdsmen, and tasting the unique cuisine of Xinjiang, has become an indispensable experience for tourists.
View the Sunrise, Morning Fog, and Panoramic View from the Hemu Observation Deck
In the morning, climb up to the observation deck on the mountain next to Hemu Village to capture the sunrise and morning fog over the village. Standing at the top of the mountain, looking down at the wooden houses as the sunlight gradually advances, you overlook this primitive village that resembles a fairyland. Chimney smoke rises, forming a dreamlike smoke band. It seems like this scene can only be described in a fairy tale. You can also see a panoramic view of Hemu Village. Most of the panoramic photos of Hemu are taken here. It is said that Genghis Khan once reviewed 100,000 troops here. Just imagine how grand and impressive the scene must have been!
Visit the Tuwa People’s Home
As the sun sets and the chimney smoke rises again, visit the home of the Tuwa people in the snowy land. Step into the warm Tuwa log cabin, where the flames in the hearth dance for you, and fragrant milk tea boils for you. Sit down, close your eyes, and listen to a Chu’er song. It is the echo of the mountains, the sound of nature. Sit down, take a few big gulps of milk tea, and let the warmth drive away the winter chill. Sit down, grab handfuls of hand-grabbed meat, and listen to the host recount the past, and your companions talk about the future;
Kanas Lake Snow Mushrooms
Every winter, Kanas Lake presents a magical spectacle of snowy fields and snow mushrooms, which are incredibly beautiful, making one marvel at the grandeur of nature. On the white snowy ground, clusters of snow mushrooms look so fantastic under the setting sun’s rays. The snow in the water appears even whiter and smoother, like a snowy world in a fairy tale! You can step on the snow mushrooms like a child, leaving your cute footprints…
Every winter, Kanas Lake presents a magical spectacle of snowy fields and snow mushrooms, which are incredibly beautiful, making one marvel at the grandeur of nature. On the white snowy ground, clusters of snow mushrooms look so fantastic under the setting sun’s rays. The snow in the water appears even whiter and smoother, like a snowy world in a fairy tale! You can step on the snow mushrooms like a child, leaving your cute footprints…
View 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 gracefully, youthful and vibrant; 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. Here are "white orchids", "white plum blossoms", "silver chrysanthemums", and "reed flowers"; here 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 being fleeting.
How many days should you play and how to play?
Winter in Xinjiang is extremely cold, with an average temperature around -13℃, and in Kanas, the average temperature is around -18℃, dropping to -30℃ on colder days. Therefore, it is not recommended to stay for too long. If you want to have a good time without any regrets, generally, 7 days is the best choice. You can take a circular route without repeating, and visit classic attractions.
Recommended Kanas tourism carpooling routes:
Winter tourism carpooling in Xinjiang for 2-4 people: 8-day tour of Kanas, Hemu, Baihaba, and the Devil’s City – Click to book
Winter tourism carpooling in Xinjiang for 2-4 people: 6-day tour of Kanas, Hemu, Baihaba, and the Devil’s City – Click to book
Winter tourism carpooling in Xinjiang for 2-4 people: 9-day tour of Northern Xinjiang, including Kanas, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, and Tianchi Lake – Click to book
Winter tourism carpooling in Xinjiang for 2-4 people: 7-day tour of Northern Xinjiang, including Kanas, Dushanzi Grand Canyon, and Tianchi Lake – Click to book
If you want to experience a fairy tale world, come to Xinjiang. Kanas tourism will make your fairy tale dream come true.
Consultation Hotline: 0991-8585456 0991-8585456