Carpooling for winter tourism in Xinjiang, is it possible to carpool to Kanas in winter?
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. However, in this season that makes you grit your teeth with cold, there lies a pure and breathtaking beauty that cannot be seen anywhere else at any other time.
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 fairy tale world of ice and snow, with snow-covered ice lakes. Under the blue sky, the jade-like Kanas winds its way through glaciers and snowy mountains, captivating the hearts of visitors.
In the morning light, Hemu Village is filled with a fairyland-like morning fog, and sunlight spills around the courtyards of Hemu, casting dazzling waves of light on the snow, bringing vitality to the entire village. In winter, Hemu is covered in silver and white, beautiful and graceful, as well as generous.
Here, you can experience the true scenery of the northern regions, with thousands of miles of ice-covered landscapes and snowflakes drifting in the air, creating a world of ice and snow.
Compared to the high prices of air tickets, train tickets, scenic area tickets, interval transportation tickets within scenic areas, and high accommodation fees in summer and autumn, Xinjiang’s winter is much kinder to your wallet…
Major transportation: In winter, the costs of air tickets and train tickets to Xinjiang are very cheap. Direct one-way flights from popular cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen range from 300 to 1000 yuan; one-way train tickets also range from 500 to 800 yuan, and air ticket prices are cheaper than long-distance train tickets;
Scenic area tickets: As everyone knows, the biggest expense when traveling to Xinjiang is the cost of scenic area tickets and the interval transportation within scenic areas. Compared to other tourist cities, it is simply an embarrassing figure. However, in winter, due to limitations in conditions, the prices of scenic area tickets are reduced, and interval transportation can be replaced by the vehicles we take, especially in Northern Xinjiang. In summer and autumn, the combined ticket price for the three scenic areas of Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba is 340 yuan/person, while in winter, a one-ticket pass is implemented for these three scenic areas, with a ticket price of 90 yuan/person;
Accommodation costs: In popular places such as Kanas, Hemo, Baihaba, and Burqin during summer and autumn, accommodation is particularly expensive. However, the prices are much lower in winter.
Every summer and autumn, people traveling to Xinjiang are endless. Whenever you travel during this time, it is no surprise to see long queues at the scenic area’s ticket booths and bus stops. However, Kanas is not very well-known in winter, so fewer people go there. At this time, you can enjoy the beauty of nature to your heart’s content without fear of being disturbed.
What to do in Kanas during a winter trip?
Ride a horse-drawn sleigh
Traveling to Kanas in winter, riding a horse-drawn sleigh is the most fun way of transportation. Riding on snow more than a meter deep, you can fully experience the atmosphere of "a thousand mountains with no birds flying, ten thousand paths with no man’s track" 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 achieved by horse-drawn sleighs. Riding a sleigh to witness this unique scenery was also the purpose of tourists in winter. In recent years, Kanas has launched winter tourism activities and better transportation options have become available, making riding a horse-drawn sled an even more unique experience. You can choose to take a horse-drawn sled to the beautiful peak of Hemo Village, sit on the horse-drawn sleigh, and shuttle through the vast sea of trees and walk in the world of snow. The scenery along the way will amaze you, as if the snow is pouring towards you from all directions. The sound of horse hooves, the neighing, the magnificent scenery, and the joy are all along the way;
It should be noted that when riding a horse-drawn sled, you should wear more clothes to keep warm, and pay attention to safety when taking photos. It is best not to take photos while going downhill.
Cross 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 launched winter tourism activities and specifically purchased snowplows to ensure the normal progress of winter travel within the scenic area. Nowadays, snowplows have become a standard configuration for Kanas scenic area in 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 means from sliding off the road but will also gradually form a unique landscape.
Experience the log cabins of the Tuvans
The Altay region is dominated by the Tuvans, and their log cabins have become a symbol of the Tuvans, appearing particularly primitive and simple, with traditional characteristics of nomadic peoples. The Tuvans, in an environment far from civilized world, make full use of local resources to build log 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 visited the places where the Tuvans live will see at a glance the European-style log cabins. These wooden houses with pointed roofs and square bases, although simple in structure, are highly practical. Living in the log cabins of the Tuvans, drinking the milk tea or fermented mare’s milk made by the herdsmen, and tasting the specialties of Xinjiang has become an indispensable unique experience for tourists.
Viewing Sunrise, Morning Fog, and Panoramic View from Hemu Viewing Platform
In the morning, climb up to the viewing platform 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 sunlight gradually advances, you overlook this primitive village that resembles a fairyland. Cooking 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 were taken here. Legend has it that Genghis Khan once reviewed 100,000 troops here. Just imagine how grand and impressive the scene must have been!
Visiting the Home of the Tuwa People
As the sun sets and cooking 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 bubbles 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 large gulps of milk tea, and let the warm currents drive away the winter chill. Sit down, grab handfuls of hand-grabbed meat, listen to the host recount the past, and listen to your companions talk about the future;
Kanas Lake Snow Mushrooms
Every winter, Kanas Lake presents a magnificent sight of snowy fields and snow mushrooms, which are incredibly beautiful, making one marvel at the wonders of nature. On the white snowy ground, clusters of snow mushrooms appear so fantastical under the setting sun. The snow in the water appears even whiter and smoother, like a fairy tale ice and snow world! You can act like a child, stepping on snow mushrooms and leaving your cute footprints…
Every winter, Kanas Lake presents a magnificent sight of snowy fields and snow mushrooms, which are incredibly beautiful, making one marvel at the wonders of nature. On the white snowy ground, clusters of snow mushrooms appear so fantastical under the setting sun. The snow in the water appears even whiter and smoother, like a fairy tale ice and snow world! You can act like a child, stepping on snow mushrooms and leaving your cute footprints…
Viewing 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, radiating youthfulness; over there are scholars reciting poems, exuding gentleness and culture; here are children playing games, full of liveliness and cuteness; over there are old men with silver hair fluttering, displaying kindness and greatness. There are ‘white orchids’, ‘white plum blossoms’, ‘silver chrysanthemums’, and ‘reed flowers’; there 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 of around -13°C. The average temperature in Kanas is around -18°C, and it can get as cold as -30°C. 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 retracing your steps and visit classic attractions.
Recommended Carpooling Routes for Kanas Tourism:
Winter Tourism Carpooling in Xinjiang for 2-4 People: 8-Day Tour of Kanas, Hemu, Baihaba, and Ghost City – Click to Book
Winter Tourism Carpooling in Xinjiang for 2-4 People: 6-Day Tour of Kanas, Hemu, Baihaba, and Ghost City – Click to Book
Winter Tourism Carpooling in Xinjiang for 2-4 People: 9-Day Tour of Northern Xinjiang’s 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’s 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 fulfill your fairy tale dream.
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