No less than Switzerland, China's Altay has become a legendary destination.

It is praised by National Geographic as "God's palette falling into the world!" Venture into the epic scroll of northern Xinjiang. Snowy mountains caress the Milky Way, and pastoral songs ripple through the forest. This is the secret realm where Genghis Khan's iron hooves once trod, and the ancient path where Kazakh herdsmen migrate. In autumn, the birch trees are gilded; in winter, the powder snow becomes poetry; and on summer nights, the Milky Way falls into the blue of Kanas. Some always say "Altay is too far," until I lay in a wooden house by the Hemu River and watched the morning mist drift over the mountain ridge— Only then did I realize this is the ultimate romance of northern Xinjiang 👉 Quickly save this legendary 3-day, 2-night guide! Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang 🎫 Kanas scenic area pass: CNY 230/person (including Kanas + Hemu + Baihaba + shuttle bus) ✈️ Fly to "Kanas Airport" or "Altay Airport." During peak season, it is recommended to charter a car/drive yourself (the scenery along the way is comparable to a Nordic road trip movie). 🌲 Legendary Spots 1. Kanas Lake: Chase the legend of the "lake monster," take a boat to explore the heart of the lake, the milky green lake water reflects the glacier, and encounter squirrels leaping among the branches while hiking on the boardwalk. 2. Hemu Village: The fairytale wooden houses are surrounded by birch forests. Ride a horse to Haden platform to wait for the morning mist, and the Milky Way at night falls on the chimneys of the Tuva people's roofs. 3. Moon Bay: The S-shaped river bend resembles God's brushstrokes. Take aerial photos when the autumn forests are in full color, and capture stunning shots when the morning mist has not yet dissipated. 4. Baihaba Village: The "First Village in the Northwest" on the Sino-Kazakh border. In autumn, the pastures are like overturned paint cans. A border pass must be obtained in advance. 5. Keketuohai Ski Resort: Limited to winter! A powder snow paradise. Enjoy skiing on untouched wild snow from November to March, and experience an adrenaline rush with a helicopter skiing experience. 6. Ulungur Lake Winter Fishing: Watch fishermen chisel ice and cast nets at minus 30℃. Feel the shock of the ancient fishing and hunting civilization as thousands of fresh fish leap out of the ice. 7. Xiaohei Lake Hiking: Traverse primitive forests and swamps, encounter the summer pastures of Kazakh herdsmen, and listen to wolf howls while camping under the stars. 🍂 Seasonal Itineraries 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟏: Kanas Lake Soul Awakening Jiadengyu Ticket Station → Shuttle bus to Kanas Lake → Boat trip to explore the mystery/Lakeside boardwalk → Climb to the Fish Viewing Platform for a panoramic view → Stay in an old village wooden house (starry sky hot pot + Wusu beer) 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟐: Hemu's Slow Motion 6:30 AM Chase the morning mist at Haden Platform → Ride a horse through the birch forest → Visit a Tuva family to drink milk tea and listen to Chuwuer → Take autumn love songs at Hemu Bridge → Stay overnight in a riverside homestay to watch the Milky Way 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟑: Border and Wilderness Kanas → Take photos of the boundary monument in Baihaba Village → Hike through the Sino-Kazakh Grand Canyon → Take photos of the Danxia sunset on the way back via Wucaitan ⛄️ Winter Hidden Edition (November–March): Altay General Mountain powder snow carnival → Keketuohai Diamond Road downhill → Ulungur Lake ice sheep grabbing competition → Horse-drawn sled through the rime forest 📌 Survival Tips - Seasonal Game: Late September–early October (peak autumn colors), June (mountain flowers in full bloom), January–February (snow wonderland + golden skiing season). - Accommodation Battle: Book Hemu Village wooden houses 1 month in advance during peak season! The "Century-Old House" with snow-capped mountains visible from the window and the "Yuehu Hotel" in the Kanas scenic area are hidden gems. - Food Guide: Hand-grabbed mutton with piyazi, baursaki dipped in wild strawberry jam, Hemu Bridgehead clay pot hot pot, avoid the "sky-high mixed noodles" in the scenic area fast food kiosks. - Dress Code: Autumn = windbreaker + fleece liner, winter = thickened down jacket + snow boots + ear-covering hat, sunscreen + sunglasses are essential (ultraviolet rays are invisible killers). - Transportation Alert: Self-driving is prohibited in the scenic area! Shuttle buses require queuing for 1 hour or more. Be sure to recognize new J license plates for chartered cars, and install anti-skid chains in the snow season. - Hidden Gameplay: Find herdsmen to experience sheep herding (autumn), book ancient fur ski making, and squat in the middle of the night to guard the Kanas Lake "monster" fluorescence (requires explosive luck). "The corners of Altay hide the earth's original romance." Here, the wind is free and time is soft. Wait for a horse to shatter the Milky Way, wait for a snow to dye your hair white, wait for a soul resonance with the wilderness 🏔️ (Image suggestion: Hemu morning mist wooden house/Moon Bay aerial photography/Winter fishing of ten thousand fish leaping)