Geographical Location: Kanas Lake is located in the deep mountains and dense forests of Altai Mountain in the northern part of Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Natural Landscape: It is an alpine lake. The lake water comes from the glacier meltwater of mountains such as Kuitun and Youyi Peak and local precipitation. It is crescent-shaped with clear water. Surrounded by mountains, with dense primeval forests, it has excellent scenery and is known as the “fairyland on earth and the garden of the gods”.
Best Time to Travel
June September: During this period, the climate is relatively pleasant with moderate temperature. The vegetation around Kanas Lake is lush and flowers are in full bloom. You can enjoy the picturesque landscape and rich biological landscape, and various outdoor activities can also be carried out smoothly.
October: In autumn, the trees around Kanas Lake turn into gorgeous colors like golden and fiery red, and the whole scenic spot is like a colorful oil painting, a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Transportation Guide
By Air
You can first take a plane to Kanas Airport. The airport is located in the Heiliutan area, 74 kilometers northwest of Burqin County, about 50 kilometers away from the Kanas Lake scenic spot. Then take an airport bus or a pre-arranged tourist chartered car to the scenic spot.
By Bus
Take a long-distance sleeper bus from Urumqi Nianzigou Bus Station to Burqin. The journey takes about 10 hours. After arriving in Burqin, there are shuttle buses to the Kanas Lake scenic spot at the Burqin Bus Station, and the journey takes about 3 4 hours; you can also charter a car in Burqin to go there, which is more flexible and convenient.
Tickets and Tour Routes
Ticket Information: The tickets of the Kanas scenic spot include the entrance ticket and the shuttle bus ticket, and the price will be adjusted according to the peak and off-peak seasons. During the peak season (May 1st October 15th), the entrance ticket is 160 yuan/person, and the shuttle bus ticket is 70 yuan/person; during the off-peak season (October 16th April 30th of the following year), the entrance ticket is 80 yuan/person, and the shuttle bus ticket is 70 yuan/person.
Classic Tour Routes
One-day Tour Route: Jiadengyu Ticket Station Take the shuttle bus Kanas Visitor Center Transfer to the shuttle bus to Guanyu Terrace Guanyu Terrace (overlook the panoramic view of Kanas Lake) Return to the Kanas Visitor Center Take the shuttle bus to the lakeside wharf Take a boat tour of Kanas Lake Then take the shuttle bus back to Jiadengyu Ticket Station.
Two-day Tour Route
Food Guide of Kanas Lake
Local Specialties
Cold Water Fish Feast
Introduction: The cold water fish in Kanas Lake have tender meat and rich nutrition. The cold water fish feast usually uses local fish such as Esox lucius, Perca schrenkii, and Hucho taimen as the main ingredients and is cooked in a variety of ways.
Recommended Dishes
Altay Big-Tailed Sheep
Introduction: Altay Big-Tailed Sheep is a famous excellent sheep breed in Xinjiang with tender meat and no mutton smell. Around Kanas Lake, there are many delicious foods made from Big-Tailed Sheep.
Recommended Dishes
Tuvan Specialties
Introduction: There are Tuvans living in the Kanas Lake area, and they have a unique food culture.
Recommended Dishes
Food Streets and Restaurant Recommendations
Kanas Old Village and New Village: There are many characteristic restaurants run by Tuvans here, where you can taste authentic Tuva cuisine and local characteristic home-cooked dishes. For example, the “XX Family” restaurant, their Tu hot pot has fresh ingredients, sufficient quantity and authentic taste.
Jiadengyu: As a tourist distribution center outside the scenic spot, there are many restaurants to choose from. The “XX Restaurant” does an excellent job of the cold water fish feast with a reasonable price; and the “XX Barbecue Restaurant” has authentic mutton skewers with excellent grilling skills, which is a must-visit place for many tourists.
