Xinjiang Chartered Tour: 0991-8585456 1813962-2229 (WeChat same number)
Introduction to Attractions
Kanas is located in the deep mountains and dense forests of Burqin County in the Altay Region, about 800 kilometers from the capital Urumqi. It is one of Xinjiang’s most famous scenic spots.
Some tourists will hike from Kanas Lake east to Hemu Village (1-2 days), which has become a paradise route for domestic outdoor enthusiasts. Compared to the human landscapes of the other two villages, Kanas Lake fascinates people with its mysterious lake monster, changing lake colors, and dazzling natural scenery.
To visit Kanas, tourists need to first arrive at the Jiadenyu Ticket Station, about 30 kilometers south of the scenic area, and purchase tickets and scenic area shuttle buses (tickets and entrance fees are combined). Then, take the shuttle bus to visit within the scenic area. The scenic area shuttle buses run about every 10 minutes, stopping at various attractions, and tourists can get on or off at any attraction.
By this beautiful, rich, and mysterious lake (‘Kanas’ in Mongolian), you can see the clear and serene lake water, which often changes color with the seasons and weather. The primitive forest around the lake is a mix of spruce, fir, and Siberian larch. The sunny slopes are covered with dense grassland, with different plant communities forming distinct layers. Every autumn, the trees compete in their brilliance: gold, crimson, dark green, each displaying a different color.
When playing within the scenic area, you can also climb up to the Fish Viewing Platform at a relative height of 600 meters (sightseeing buses are available at the foot of the mountain, with a round-trip ticket price of 120 yuan, which needs to be purchased separately). From here, you can overlook Kanas Lake as well as the distant, mist-covered layers of green mountains and snow-capped peaks. You can also take a cruise boat (ticket price 120 yuan, which needs to be purchased separately), with the entire cruise lasting about 2 hours.
Kanas Lake also has many ancient legends, the most famous of which is the ‘lake monster’. Over the past few decades, tourists and scientists have continuously witnessed ‘huge monster fish’. Some say it’s a huge Hucho taimen (a type of fish), while others believe it to be a prehistoric creature.
Some tourists will stay within the scenic area or around the Jiadenyu Ticket Station outside the scenic area, and continue their tour the next day. There are also local Tuwa villages within the scenic area, where tourists can stay in the locals’ log cabins.
Accommodation
To protect the natural environment of the Kanas Lake area, the scenic area has closed many hotels by the lake, but there are still some upscale resorts within the scenic area, albeit at higher prices. In addition, there are local Tuwa people’s dwellings and tents available for accommodation within the scenic area. If you want to see the beautiful morning mist at Shenxianwan early in the morning, staying within the scenic area is a good choice.
Xinjiang Chartered Tour: 0991-8585456 1813962-2229 (WeChat same number)