Autumn's Exclusive! A 20-Day Golden Feast in Kanas

Golden forests, azure lakes, and Tuva smoke intertwine into a palette spilled by the heavens.
When the first ray of sunlight pierces through the birch forest, Kanas transforms into a fairytale kingdom at 48°N latitude! 🌄 This place gathers 90% of China's autumn hues. From mid to late September to early October, the Altai Mountains seem to be splashed with the colors of all four seasons—golden larches, fiery European aspens, dark green spruces, and azure lakes blend together. Miss this visual feast, and you'll have to wait another year!

🕰️ Best Viewing Period & Opening Hours
Golden Period: September 20 - October 10 (only about 20 days!)
Park Hours: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM (last entry at 7:00 PM)
Temperature Tip: Huge day-night temperature difference (-5°C to 15°C), truly "short sleeves by day, down jackets by night."

💰 Ticket Prices
Kanas Single Entry | ¥230/person | Ticket ¥160 + Shuttle Bus ¥70 (valid for one entry within 48 hours)
Kanas Double Entry | ¥270/person | Ticket ¥160 + Shuttle Bus ¥110 (valid for two entries)
Hemu Scenic Area | ¥102/person | Ticket ¥50 + Shuttle Bus ¥52
Baihaba Scenic Area | ¥75/person | Ticket ¥30 + Shuttle Bus ¥45
Fish Viewing Platform Shuttle Bus | ¥20/person
All-Area Pass | ¥375/person | Includes tickets and shuttle buses for Kanas, Baihaba, Hemu, and Fish Viewing Platform
Free Entry Policy: Seniors over 65, children under 6 or 1.3 meters, active military personnel, etc., enjoy "free ticket, half-price shuttle" discounts; residents with Altay region ID numbers (starting with 6543) can enter for free!

🚗 Transportation Guide
Direct Flights: ✈️ During peak season, direct flights to Kanas Airport (3 flights daily) are available. After landing, take the scenic area shuttle bus for 30 minutes to the visitor center.
Train + Transfer: 🚂 Take the overnight train from Urumqi (Z9578), arriving at Altay Station the next morning:
Carpool to Burqin Bus Station (¥50/person, 2 hours)
Transfer to the scenic area direct bus (¥100/person, 3 hours on mountain roads)
Self-Driving: 🚙 Drive north along G216 from Urumqi (about 10 hours). Private cars must park at the Jiadengyu multi-story parking lot (¥30/day) and transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus.
Hassle-Free Option: Consider joining a local all-inclusive small group tour (8 days, 7 nights, approx. ¥5200/person), which includes accommodation, tickets, and transportation—40% less hassle than independent travel.

🌟 Must-Do Experiences
Fairy Bay Morning Mist: 🌫️ Head out before 6:00 AM to capture the Tyndall effect of sunlight piercing through the mist, as if in a fairyland.
Climb Fish Viewing Platform: 👣 Ascend 1,068 steps to overlook the full view of Kanas Lake, with lake monster legends and rolling sea clouds in sight.
Hemu Village Smoke: 🏡 Photograph the intertwining smoke from Tuva wooden houses and morning mist between 6:00-7:00 AM, blending human warmth with natural wonders.
Baihaba Borderline: 🗺️ Visit the "First Village of the Northwest" (border permit required) to experience the unique charm of the China-Kazakhstan border.
Three Bays Hiking: 🚶‍♂️ Walk the 9-km wooden trail connecting Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay for an in-depth experience of Kanas' essence.

⚠️ Important Tips
1. Clothing Guide: 🧥 Use the "onion layering method" (T-shirt + fleece + windbreaker), and bring a light down jacket for the cold.
2. Essentials: 💼 Polarizing filter (for lake reflections), tripod (for starry skies), motion sickness medicine (a must for mountain roads), ¥500 cash (some areas have no signal).
3. Border Permit: 📋 For Baihaba, apply in advance at Habahe Border Brigade or Kanas Border Police Station.
4. Drones: ✈️ Drones must be registered at police stations in Kanas and Hemu; prohibited in Baihaba.
5. Off-Peak Tips: ⏰ Peak season queues are long; buy tickets online in advance and take the first shuttle bus at 8:00 AM to avoid crowds.

🍁 Photography Tips
Fairy Bay: 📸 Use a wide-angle lens (16-35mm), aperture f/8-f/11 for depth of field.
Moon Bay: 🌙 Shoot during strong midday sunlight; use a polarizing filter to eliminate water reflections and enhance colors.
Hemu Village: 🌅 Capture smoke and morning mist between 6:00-7:00 AM, using soft side backlighting.

When the last birch leaf falls by the shores of Kanas Lake, this 20-day autumn feast quietly comes to an end. Some say autumn is desolate, but in Kanas, you'll only feel the most vibrant bloom of life—colorful forests are nature's palette, lakes are the earth's eyes, and Tuva smoke is the warmth of humanity.

Autumn is not an end but nature's most heartfelt love letter to the world. Every fallen leaf is a burning word, waiting for a kindred spirit to collect. ✨

Kanas · Altay Region