Autumn Stroll in Kanas

🌾 Autumn in Kanas, known as the "God's Backyard," is a top-tier feast of autumn colors in China. It only looks its best for about 25 days a year (usually from late September to mid-October). The golden birch forests, emerald lakes, morning mist, and smoke rising from village chimneys together create a richly colorful painting. I have prepared a detailed Kanas autumn travel guide for you, hoping to help you fully enjoy this season in Kanas.

✨ Highlights of the Trip

· Encounter a Nordic-style secret realm: Kanas is known as the "God's Backyard" and is the pinnacle of autumn colors in Xinjiang. Here, the Siberian taiga meets the Altai Mountains, forming vertically distributed landscape zones. Golden forests, turquoise waters, and snow-capped wooden cabins create a legendary autumn scene.
· Capture the symphony of morning mist and smoke: At Fairy Bay, watch the morning mist dance lightly over the lake like flowing silk; in Hemu Village, see smoke rising from Tuva wooden houses blending with the mist, swirling above the golden birch forest in a fairy-tale scene.
· Climb high for panoramic views: Ascend the 1,068 steps of Guanyu Terrace to overlook the entire Kanas Lake. The lake surface shines deep blue-green under the sun, like liquid gemstones.
· Deeply experience Tuva culture: Visit the most beautiful Tuva village in China, feel the primitive and simple ethnic culture, taste local specialties, and listen to the sound of the Chuwuer flute.

🧳 Preparation Before Travel

· Best travel time: September 20 to October 10 is the peak period for Kanas autumn colors, lasting about 25 days a year, with a short peak for yellow leaves.
· Weather and clothing: Autumn in Kanas has a large temperature difference, reaching 15°C during the day and possibly dropping to -5°C at night.
· Recommended "onion-style" dressing: Prepare short sleeves + fleece + windbreaker/thin down jacket.
· Wear comfortable waterproof hiking shoes suitable for extensive walking.
· Don’t forget rain gear (mountain weather changes rapidly) and sun protection (strong UV rays).
· Transportation:
· Airplane: Direct flights to Kanas Airport (3 flights daily), then take a 30-minute scenic shuttle bus to the visitor center.
· Train + transfer: Take the night train (Z9578) from Urumqi to Altay Station, then carpool to Burqin Bus Station, and transfer to the scenic area shuttle.
· Self-driving: From Urumqi, drive north along G216 (about 10 hours). Private cars must park at Jiadenyu multi-story parking lot (30 RMB/day) and transfer to the scenic shuttle.
· Ticket booking:
· Kanas Scenic Area implements flow control; tickets must be booked in advance on the official "Kanas Original Travel Network" platform.
· Ticket prices: First entry to Kanas 230 RMB/person (ticket 160 + shuttle 70); second entry 270 RMB/person; Hemu Scenic Area 102 RMB/person; Baihaba Scenic Area 75 RMB/person.
· Consider purchasing the all-area pass for 375 RMB/person, including tickets and shuttles for Kanas + Baihaba + Hemu and Guanyu Terrace.

🗺 Classic Five-Day Autumn Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Urumqi → Burqin

· Morning/Afternoon: After arriving in Urumqi, rent a car or take a long-distance bus to Burqin (about 7-8 hours).
· Evening: After arriving in Burqin, visit the Five-Color Beach and watch the rock layers reflect golden light at magical moments.
· Night: Explore Burqin night market, try kvass and grilled dogfish (about 50 RMB per person). Accommodation options include Burqin Fairy Tale Hotel (200+ RMB/night) or other Burqin hotels.

Day 2: Burqin → Kanas Lake → Guanyu Terrace

· Morning: Depart Burqin at 7:30 to Kanas, try to avoid crowds.
· Morning: After arriving at Kanas Scenic Area, check in first, then hike around Kanas Lake and enjoy feeding wild ducks.
· Afternoon: Climb Guanyu Terrace (1,068 steps), take off-peak photos of Moon Bay’s S-curve after 4 PM.
· Night: Stay in wooden cabins in old or new Kanas villages (new village recommended for quieter environment).

Day 3: Morning Mist at Fairy Bay → Moon Bay Hike → Hemu Village

· Early morning: Head to Fairy Bay by 6:30 to capture the morning mist (staying in the scenic area is necessary to catch the first shuttle).
· Morning: Hike along the boardwalk connecting Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay to deeply experience Kanas’s essence.
· Afternoon: Private car for 1.5 hours directly to Hemu Village (faster than shuttle).
· Night: Stay in a wooden cabin in Hemu Village, experience Tuva culture, and enjoy the tranquility under the starry sky.

Day 4: Morning Mist in Hemu Village → Free Exploration → Baihaba Village

· Early morning: Climb to Harden Platform between 6-7 AM to photograph Hemu Village’s morning mist, smoke, and sunrise blending.
· Morning: Free exploration in Hemu Village, drink milk tea under birch trees, visit Tuva wooden houses.
· Afternoon: Head to Baihaba Village (border permit required), feel the tranquility of the northwest’s first village, and admire the unique scenery of the China-Kazakhstan border.
· Night: Return to Kanas or Hemu for accommodation.

Day 5: Return or Extended Trip

· Return to Urumqi according to your plan, or continue exploring nearby attractions like the Devil City Yardang landforms.
· If time allows, consider visiting Sayram Lake (often foggy in autumn, like floating fairy mist).

🍜 Recommended Local Delicacies

Autumn in Kanas also offers a unique taste experience:

· Burqin Grilled Dogfish: A cold-water fish unique to Kanas, crispy skin and tender meat, a local signature dish.
· Hand-pulled Lamb: Fresh lamb stew paired with piyazi (onion) to cut the grease, accompanied by a cup of brick tea, excellent flavor.
· Kazakh Milk Tea: Salty and rich, paired with baursak (fried dough), a classic local breakfast or afternoon tea.
· Hemu Hot Pot: Lamb broth with local wild mushrooms, warming and comforting, perfect for cold autumn days.

💎 Practical Tips

· Avoid crowds: Kanas autumn peak sees many tourists; take the first shuttle at 8 AM to avoid crowds.
· Border permit: If planning to visit Baihaba Village, apply for a border permit in advance. It can be obtained for free at your local police station or on-site at Burqin Government Service Center (ID card required).
· Photography tips:
· Best shooting times: Early morning and evening are golden hours for photographing Kanas autumn scenery, with soft light that better shows autumn layers.
· Equipment suggestions: Bring a DSLR/mirrorless camera with wide-angle lens (for panoramas), telephoto lens (for details); polarizing filter (for lake reflections), tripod (for mist and night shots).
· Accommodation suggestions:
· Scenic area lodging: Prefer wooden cabins in Hemu or Kanas for window views, but prices are high; book 1-2 months in advance.
· Burqin lodging: Cost-effective choice with many hotels and guesthouses, concentrated food options, and convenient transportation.
· Budget reference (per person/day):
· Economy: 500-700 RMB (budget hotel + snacks + public transport + some tickets)
· Comfortable: 800-1500 RMB (quality guesthouse/hotel + meals + private car/self-drive + tickets and experiences)
· Notes:
· Kanas has little light pollution; the night sky is brilliant. Try star photography (bring a tripod).
· Some areas in the scenic zone have weak signals, especially Hemu and Baihaba villages; carry some cash (some areas have no signal).
· Respect local Tuva customs: don’t step on door thresholds casually, don’t refuse host toasts (a lip touch shows respect).

Autumn in Kanas is a brief yet brilliant natural miracle, a palette spilled by the gods. Whether it’s the misty lake, the golden birch forests, or the smoke curling from Tuva villages, you will encounter an unforgettable autumn secret realm journey. This guide hopes to help you better explore this land and gain unforgettable golden autumn memories.

Wishing you a pleasant trip!