Here is a detailed travel guide for a trip from Chengdu to Kanas in September:?
Mode of transportation?
Plane:?
Fly directly from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Urumqi Diwopu International Airport, and then transfer to a plane or coach to Kanas. The whole journey takes about 5 hours.?
The flight time from Urumqi to Kanas Airport is about 1.5 hours.?
Train:?
Take a train from Chengdu North Railway Station to Urumqi, and then transfer to a bus to Kanas. The total journey time is about 40 hours.?
The train journey from Urumqi to the direction of Kanas takes about 12 hours.?
Self-driving:?
Departing from Chengdu, follow National Highway 318, Qinghai-Tibet Highway, and Xinjiang-Tibet Highway to arrive at Kanas. The total distance is about 4,000 kilometers, and it takes a long time, suitable for in-depth travelers.?
Accommodation Recommendations?
Inside the scenic area:?
There are multiple hotels and homestays within Kanas Scenic Area, such as Kanas Mountain Villa and Kanas Lake Resort. The prices are higher, but the facilities are complete, and you can immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery.?
Around the scenic area:?
There are many hotels and homestays in nearby towns such as Jiadengyu and Burqin, with moderate prices and complete facilities.?
Urumqi:?
As the capital of Xinjiang, Urumqi has abundant accommodation options, ranging from budget hotels to luxury hotels.?
Food Recommendations?
Kanas Area:?
Mutton: The meat is delicious, and dishes like roasted mutton and mutton zhuafan are not to be missed.?
Noodles: Xinjiang has a wide variety of noodles, such as lagemen (a type of hand-pulled noodles), baked stuffed buns, and nang (a type of Uyghur flatbread), each with a unique taste.?
Kanas Lake Stewed Fish: A must-try delicacy, with delicious meat and rich nutrition.?
Burqin County:?
You can taste Xinjiang’s specialty dishes such as roasted mutton, hand-grabbed rice, zhuafan (a type of fried rice), baked stuffed buns, and various fresh fruits and dried fruits.?
Must-visit attractions?
Kanas Lake:?
Praised as "the last primitive forest in China", the lake water is emerald green and clear, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, creating a picturesque landscape. You can take a boat ride on the lake or take a walk along the lakeside.?
Guanyu Tai:?
A viewing platform located by Kanas Lake, where you can climb up to have a panoramic view of the entire Kanas Lake scenery. At the same time, Guanyu Tai is also an excellent spot to observe the "lake monster".?
Hemu Village:?
Not far from Kanas Lake, it is famous for its primitive natural scenery and unique folk customs. It is a paradise for photographers, and in autumn, Hemu Village presents a picturesque scene with golden leaves, clear rivers, and distant snow-capped mountains.?
Baihaba Village:?
Located on the border between China and Kazakhstan, it is praised as "the last primitive village in China". Its pristine natural scenery and unique folk customs provide tourists with an opportunity to deeply understand the frontier villages in northwestern China.?
Burqin County:?
As a necessary stop on the way to Kanas Lake, Burqin County offers a variety of accommodation and dining options. Tourists can rest and replenish supplies here to prepare for the next part of their journey.?
Precautions?
Warm clothing: There is a large temperature difference between day and night in the Kanas area, so warm clothing is required.?
Sunscreen: The ultraviolet rays in the scenic area are strong, so sunscreen measures are needed.?
Tickets: The peak season ticket price for Kanas Scenic Area is 200 yuan per person.?
Best travel time: From September to October is the best season to visit Kanas, with colorful forests and azure lakes, which is praised as "the most beautiful autumn scenery in China".?
I hope this guide can help you on your Kanas trip! Wish you a pleasant journey!?