Complete Kanas Guide | A breathtaking healing journey into the God's backyard!

| A breathtaking healing journey into the God's backyard! 🚗【Transportation Battle】Follow this route to avoid getting lost! - Major transportation: - Airplane: Direct flight to Kanas Heiliutan Airport (operates from June to October), only 1 hour from Urumqi. After landing, take the airport shuttle bus for 1.5 hours directly to Jiadengyu Ticket Station (one-way 65 RMB). If on a budget, choose Altay Airport, then charter a car for 3 hours to Kanas (approx. 800 RMB/car). - Train + Bus: Urumqi → Beitun City (hard sleeper 200 RMB, 8 hours), transfer to bus to Burqin (100 RMB/person, 5 hours), then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus to Jiadengyu (60 RMB/person). - In-scenic area transportation: - Shuttle bus: Jiadengyu → Kanas Transfer Center (70 RMB/person, 1 hour), departs every 30 minutes. Kanas Route 1 free bus splits into left and right sides; left side goes to Old Village/Kanas Lake, right side goes to New Village. - Fish Viewing Platform Special Line: Book free tickets one day in advance on "Kanas Original Travel Network," or ride a horse (230 RMB/person). From the mountaintop, overlook the Emerald Lake Bay and glacier reflections. Wearing non-slip shoes is recommended. 🏨【Accommodation Recommendations】Stay in a fairy tale world - High-end experience: - Hemu Mountain Villa: Starry sky wooden cabins + panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, open the window in the morning to see snow-capped mountains and morning mist (off-season 1200 RMB/night). - Kanas Yueye Mountain Villa: Nordic design, offers horseback riding and customized hiking services (peak season 2500 RMB/night). - Cost-effective options: - Burqin Little White Deer Hostel: Beds at 40 RMB/night, includes free pick-up and travel consultation. - Deep Mountain See · Mountain Wild Homestay (Kanas Old Village Branch): Newly opened in 2025, wooden cabins surrounded by snow mountains and forests, 10-minute walk to Kanas River, includes Xinjiang-style restaurant (approx. 400 RMB/night). 🌟【Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions】 1. Kanas Lake: - Activities: Take a boat tour to explore the "lake monster" legend (120 RMB/person), or hike along the lakeside boardwalk to experience the tranquility of the primeval forest. - Hidden photo spot: Climb 1,068 steps to the top of the Fish Viewing Platform for a stunning view of the emerald lake and layered forests! (Ticket includes shuttle bus 20 RMB). 2. Hemu Village: - Soulful experience: Ride a horse through the birch forest in the morning mist, capture the village panorama with smoke curling from the chimney at Harden Viewing Platform; at night, lie in a starry sky tent and use a telephoto lens to photograph the Milky Way crossing the wooden cabins (settings: ISO3200, F2.8, 15-second exposure). - Off-the-beaten-path route: Hike along the Hemu River to Beautiful Peak and encounter the spectacular scene of herders moving their flocks. 3. Baihaba Village: - Border charm: Check in at the China-Kazakhstan boundary marker, Tuva people's original wooden houses and golden haystacks create a picturesque scene. Free border pass must be obtained at Kanas Transfer Center (valid until June 30, 2025), then take a 1-hour shuttle bus to reach. 4. Three Bays Hiking: - Fairy Bay: Misty in the morning like a fairyland, tripod recommended for slow shutter water shots (ND1000 neutral density filter essential). - Moon Bay: Best aerial photography angle, drones must be registered in advance with the scenic area. - Wolong Bay: Autumn foliage in full color, afternoon side lighting enhances the richness of light and shadow. 5. Devil City: - Sunset spectacle: Yadan landforms turn golden red under the sunset, camel rides for silhouette photos create a great atmosphere (80 RMB/person). Last scenic area train at 19:30, recommend entering one hour early. 📸【Top Photo Spots Revealed】99.9% success rate! 1. Fish Viewing Platform Overlook Line: Climb 1,068 steps to the top for views of Emerald Lake Bay + fir forest + glacier reflections, drone takeoff point (wear non-slip shoes, strong winds at the top can blow off wigs). 2. Lakeside Monet Garden: At noon when sunlight is direct, invert your phone and place it on the water surface to shoot! Red salmon + twisted clouds + birch reflections, guaranteed to impress on social media. 3. Fairy Bay Morning Mist Corridor: Arrive before 6:30! Wooden boardwalk + smoke from wooden houses + misty forest, bring a tripod; shaky hands beware. 4. Fir Forest Light and Shadow Theater: Use a reflector to capture the needle-leaf Tyndall effect! Venture into herders' trails to encounter blue flash butterflies and pine cone rain, a natural oxygen bar that intoxicates. 5. South Shore Telephoto Sniper Point: Snow peaks 70 km away + seven-layer gradient forest! Regular shuttle buses do not stop here, car charter recommended. 🍢【Food Map】Locals' secret list - Burqin Riverside Night Market: - Must-try: E'er grilled fish (five black fish/dog fish), grilled buns (lamb and onion flavor), sea buckthorn handmade ice cream. - Scenic area dining: - Hemu Old Village: Tuva people's hand-grabbed rice, unforgettable aroma of lamb fat mixed with carrots. - Kanas New Village: Cold water fish hotpot, freshly killed high-white salmon is incredibly tender (average 150 RMB/person). - Jiadengyu Food Street: Affordable without price gouging, beef noodles 12 RMB, homemade mixed noodles 20 RMB, recommended fried meat mixed noodles and Xinjiang salty milk tea. 💣【Pitfall Avoidance Guide】Avoid these traps at all costs! 1. Drone registration: Fill in information in advance on "Kanas Original Travel Network" or register on-site at the Tourist Service Center (ID card + drone S/N code required), don’t wait until halfway flying to be called by the police. 2. Eating in the scenic area: Bring your own naan and beef jerky! Scenic area restaurants are painfully expensive, a bowl of instant noodles costs 20 RMB. 3. Last shuttle bus time: 20:00 is the last shuttle bus! Missing it means paying sky-high prices for a private car. 4. Rainy season gear: Umbrella is a must after late July! One moment blue sky and white clouds, the next moment pouring rain. 5. Border pass application: Non-local tourists can apply at Kanas Tourist Service Center with just an ID card, no photo or application form needed. 🗺️【5-Day Intensive Itinerary】Play without detours! - D1: Urumqi → S21 Desert Highway → Colorful Beach → Burqin (stay in fairy tale town, eat grilled dog fish) - D2: Burqin → Kanas Lake → Fish Viewing Platform sunset (stay in scenic area cabin, fall asleep to wolf howls) - D3: Fairy Bay morning mist → hike Three Bays → Hemu Bridge → Beautiful Peak (stay in Hemu, watch starry Milky Way) - D4: Hemu → World Devil City → Urho (stay in Karamay, soak in hot springs to relax) - D5: Urho → S101 Danxia Highway → Urumqi (bring home a box of raisins) 📌【Pre-trip Essentials】 - Clothing: White long dress + straw bag (universal lake view formula), windbreaker (huge temperature difference), non-slip Martin boots (boardwalks are mossy). - Gear: Tripod (for morning mist shots), 70-200mm telephoto lens (for cattle and horse herds), ND filter (for flowing water), sunscreen + sunglasses (strong UV). - Documents: ID card (must bring), border pass (for Baihaba), student/senior ID (for ticket discounts). In Kanas, time slows down very, very much — slow enough to see the squirrel’s path hiding pine cones, count the times clouds drift over mountain peaks, hear the sound of pine needles falling...🌲 If you are tired of the city's noise, come to this magical place! After all, who can resist a fairy tale dream that intoxicates with oxygen? 📍Address: Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang ⏰Best season: June-August (green wilderness), September-October (oil painting-like golden autumn) 🎫Tickets: One-time pass 230 RMB (includes shuttle bus), combined ticket 230 RMB (Kanas + Hemu + Baihaba) 📸Soul question: Which photo spot do you most want to check in at? Raise your hand in the comments!