Xinjiang Kanas Tourism Consultation Hotline, Kanas Tourism Consultation
Xinjiang Tourism Consultation: (same) -8585456
The Kanas scenic area includes three major scenic spots: Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba, each requiring separate tickets, scenic area transportation, and ancient town maintenance fees. Jiadengyu is the ticket sales center for the three scenic spots. In Kanas, the main attractions are Kanas Lake, Hemu Village, and Baihaba Village. Kanas Lake is the core attraction, featuring the mysterious Kanas lake monster and Shenxian Bay, Wolong Bay, and Moon Bay. Both Hemu and Baihaba are local villages with the charm of Swiss towns, resembling fairyland on earth. Many people believe that these two villages are the essence of Kanas.
The Three Bays of Kanas refer to Shenxian Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay. The Three Bays are the essence of the scenic area. They are located on the road from Kanas to Jiadengyu in sequence and are all mature scenic spots. There are viewing platforms near the roadside and wooden栈道 leading to the water’s edge. The Kanas River flows relatively quickly, but the water surface of the Three Bays suddenly becomes wide, so the water surface is relatively calm.
The key to the beauty of the Three Bays lies in the clouds and fog! The best time to photograph the Three Bays is in the morning, when the sun’s rays push away the fog in the峡谷. This is the time when the fog and clouds change the most. Therefore, if you really want to take good photos of the Three Bays, one sunny day is only enough for one bay, because by the time you finish taking photos of one bay and move to the next, the good weather will be gone. Since the Three Bays are viewed from a height, telephoto lenses are used more often.
1. The viewing route for the Three Bays can be: first, visit Shenxian Bay early in the morning to capture the morning mist, then take a car to Moon Bay for photos. At this time, the fog has not dispersed yet, and overlooking Moon Bay, the fog floats above the bay, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere. Finally, walk to Wolong Bay. 2. The 2-kilometer road from Moon Bay to Wolong Bay allows you to get close to Kanas Lake along the wooden栈道. The autumn scenery along the way is so beautiful that it’s hard to take it all in. 3. The Three Bays can be said to be the symbol of Kanas and the most beautiful and photographed spot in Kanas. If you want to capture the ideal water mist, it is recommended to stay in the scenic area if conditions permit.
Fish Viewing Pavilion, located on the top of Camel Peak on the west bank of Kanas Lake, stands at an altitude of 2030m, with a height difference of 600m from the lake surface. The Fish Viewing Pavilion was built to observe the "lake monster" in the lake from a commanding height, commonly known as the big red fish. Although few people have seen the big red fish, this is the best angle to overlook the panoramic view of Kanas Lake. Firstly, one can bird’s-eye view Kanas Lake, with three-quarters of the lake surface visible. Secondly, one can enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery around the lake, including layered peaks, green peak reflections, and clouds rising like waves. Thirdly, looking north, the Kanas River, winding up from south to north, is blocked by mountains, and the highest peak of the Altai Mountains, Friendship Peak (4374m), can be clearly seen among the mountains. The snow-capped mountains with silvery light, verdant forests, and emerald-green lakes are all within sight. Therefore, visiting the Fish Viewing Pavilion has become a must-do for tourists to Kanas.
Best Travel Time
September and October are Kanas’ highlights.
In the winter of Kanas, the lake is frozen, but it is equally fascinating. Kanas has introduced winter tourism projects (from October 10th to May 10th of the next year), offering not only free or discounted admission tickets but also the experience of riding in a "horse-drawn sleigh". Every winter, there is also a Winter Photography Tourism Festival. Where to Stay in Kanas: There are a limited number of accommodations within the scenic area, and reservations need to be made in advance; otherwise, you will have to take the shuttle bus back to stay in Jiadenyu outside the scenic area gate. Jiadenyu is the main accommodation area in Kanas, offering a range of options from high-end to low-end, although don’t expect them to be cheap. If you can stay within the scenic area, that would be the best option, because after 6 pm, tourists within the scenic area will gradually leave, and the entire Kanas forest will resume its tranquility, as if it were privately owned. High-end accommodations within the scenic area include four-star hotels like Kanas Village Resort, located in the forest by the lake, with an excellent location but high prices. You also have to have a high-priced dinner to get breakfast. A more economical choice is to stay at the Tuwa Village Inn. There are two Tuwa villages: the old village is next to the tourist center, which is more convenient, and the new village is on the way to the Fishwatching Pavilion, with free shuttle bus service. The inns are wooden houses inhabited by the Tuwas, offering rooms from singles to multiples, all clean and hygienic. Moreover, the food at the inns is relatively cheap and delicious.
Precautions
1. When traveling to Kanas, you only need a border defense certificate in Baihaba. You can obtain it at your household registration location, Kashgar, or Burqin, or directly at the Kanas scenic area with your ID card. 2. Food prices within the scenic area are very expensive, and if you ride a horse through Hemu, it will be even more difficult to purchase food. Therefore, try to purchase sufficient supplies in Burqin. The ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are intense, and the climate is dry, so be sure to prepare enough sunscreen and pay attention to moisturizing. 3. The diurnal temperature variation in the Kanas area is very large, with temperatures even dropping below zero in the early morning and reaching up to 27°C during the strongest sunshine at noon. So when watching the sunrise, be sure to stay warm. It’s better to bring along a down jacket, hat, gloves, and sweaters. During the day when playing in the scenic area, you can wear a thin long-sleeved shirt with an outer jacket. When it gets hot, you can take off the jacket. It is not recommended to wear short sleeves to avoid sunburn. 4. There are many horse teams in Hemu, and you can often encounter horses galloping, kicking up a lot of dust. It is recommended to wear a mask. In addition, bring along some insect repellent, gastroenterological medicine, and other commonly used medications for emergencies. 5. Due to the dry climate in Xinjiang, combined with a diet heavy in hot-natured mutton and peppers, nosebleeds are easy to occur. Dry and cracked skin and lips are also relatively severe, so be sure to bring along various protective products.