Kanas Lake & Xinjiang Kanas National Geopark - the Private Garden of God

The unpredictable water color of Kanas Lake is one of its allures, hence the title “ Color Changing Lake”. The lake water color changes with the seasons, the weather and light. On sunny days, it presents dark blue mixed with a little emerald like a quiet elegant jade belt spanning in the valley. Together with the azure blue sky and ethereal white floating clouds, Kanas Lake right now is very beautiful and serene, often impressing the travelers. The water is so calm and surreal, it even makes visitors believe the existence of the “Giant Fish” underwater. On cloudy and rainy days, Kanas Lake is gray green. During the summer, the milk white melting glacier water along with the rain slowly flows into Kanas Lake, so the lake turns to turquoise, as pure as the gem. When viewing from a higher-elevated platform, it’s deep green but looking closer from the shoreside, it’s crystal pure cadetblue. Besides, the pigmentation of the lake water varies from the reflection of surrounding mountains and different light environments in one day.

Around Kanas Lake are verdant mixed broadleaf-conifer forests joined with extensive green mountain grasslands, a similar vegetation landscape of the Alps. So, some people call Kanas Lake “the Switzerland of the Oriental” and “God’s Garden”. In summer, miles of blackish green primitive forests cover the undulating mountains; riverain lands are carpeted with prasinous grasslands with lovely wide flowers. When autumn comes, the forests become extremely colorful where hunter green trees are interbedded with cyber yellow leaves. The blue lake and layered multi-colored forests and hills shrouded in mist, majestic snowy peaks towering afar, all harmoniously make a real fairyland on the ear and a fabulous photography hotspot of high aesthetics.

Take a Cruise on Kanas Lake

It’s quite a leisure to take a cruise on the Kanas Lake to closely view the clear water and shoreside forests and mountains. There are big cruises with more seats and small yachts. The ticket is 120 RMB per person for the cruise. The cruise departs from Shuanghu Wharf at the end of Taiga Forest Corridor, and rides a loop of Kanas Lake, going upstream passing through the three bays and back to the dock. The entire cruise ride takes about 45 minutes. A life jacket is offered. When the cruise stops for a while in the center, you can go out to take photos and enjoy the scenery on the banks.

Located about 11 kilometers south of Kanas Lake, Wolong Bay is one of the three symbolic bays and shooting sites in the geopark. Tourists recognize it as the tyrannosaurus-like shoal in the green water, but the locals call it Kazan Lake or Guodi Lake, named after its outline of the bottom of a pan.

Scoured out by Kanas Lake for long years, Bolong Bay forms a Ω-shape cove. Torrential river waters slow down gradually on the open bend, turning into a peaceful, crystal blue visible bay with a glittering surface. From the upper viewing platform, you can easily capture a panoramic view of the lifelike dragon crouching in the placid river and lush forests and hills on the bank. Likewise, the colors of the dragon, river water, trees and mountains around change seasonally. During the hot summer, the green forests offer pleasant coolness and shelters for visitors.

Moon Bay (月亮湾) - Most Famous Scenic Spot

Kanas River continues to flow northward through a valley and forms a half-moon bay - Moon Bay in the downriver, which is about 1.5 km hiking distance from Wolong Bay. The pretty S-type riverbend, blue tranquil water and luxuriant along the waterfronts make Moon Bay stand out as the most famous site and best photography spot in Kanas Lake Scenic Area. The scenery here is often identified as the postcard and best showcase of Kanas Lake. In summer, Moon Bay displays Persian green water and dark green forests, providing visual and mind purification and fresh air. However, its most charming time falls in autumn, when the water is aqua blue, forests and mountains are multicoloured of layers, mists drift above the water and among the trees.

Shenxian Bay, about 4.5 km hike from Wolong Bay and 3 km from Moon Bay, is most known for its transcendent beautiful morning mist. Visible waters of Kanas Lake spread out on the open and flat pocosin, and cut the forests and grasslands into different islands. The most gorgeous scenery of Shanxian Bay is the oil painting-like scenery when turquoise blue waters, colorful forests are enveloped in dim haze during autumn mornings. The dreamlike beauty explains why it is named Fairy Bay, because it’s indeed a heavenly landscape that can’t be seen anywhere else on the earth. Still, the lake sparks with light in the sun, just like numerous fallen pearls, therefore, people sometimes call it “Pearl Beach”. Travelers, especially shutterbugs, need to arrive earlier to catch the splendid morning frog.

Guanyu Pavilion is one of the must-visit sites in the park, because it’s the best place to enjoy a panoramic view of Kanas Lake. It is built on the hilltop of Harakate (“Camel Peak” in Mongolian, elevation: 2,030 meters) with a vertical height of over 600 meters. The pavilion is said to be constructed for viewing the mysterious water monsters. The present structure is a great work by a famous Chinese landscape architect - Wu Zhaozhao. He designed the pavilion with two storeys of hexagonal platforms and a hemi-spherical rooftop with four flying fish tails and eagle wings. Eminent Chinese writer Yu Qiuyu wrote a plaque - Guan Yu Tai to share his excitement about the new landmark.

After taking a shuttle bus from the transfer center and getting off, tourists have to hike 1,068 wooden stairs up to the Guanyu Pavilion. The hike takes at least one hour or 3 hours if you stop to take photos and rest on the way. Once you see the full view of Kanas Lake from Guanyu Pavilion, you can’t help admiring and shooting the spectacular scenery, which is definitely worth the climb. From the viewing platforms, you can get a wider field of vision, see the blue body of Kanas Lake stretching in the deep valley, thick woods all over the mountainsides and distant snow-topped mountains. If you’re lucky, you possibly see a magnificent sea of clouds during June and July, when the soft grand clouds flutter in the air.

Taiga originally refers to coniferous forest zones near the polar regions in Russia. Now the word means wide boreal forests of the cold temperate zone. In China, Taigai forests only exist in the northern Daxing’anling Mountains and northernmost zone of Altai Mountains in northern Xinjiang. The Taigai forest in Kanas is the only extension of the west Siberian Taiga forest and a high-value gene bank of plants in the world. The main trees in Taiga forests are frigostabile coniferous trees, which grow tall and straight in large stretches. The most commonly seen trees are spruces, firs and larches.

Travelers can walk through the Taigai Forest Corridor on the well-paved 4.5-km-long wooden path. You can view the glistening Kanas Lake water beside, freely grow giant old trees, breathe fresh air, meet some lovely squirrels and fully savor the secluded nature without crowded tourists. In the later section, there is a Turuk Rock Painting with some ancient rock paintings and a Fossial Glacier.

Inside the park lives the three last remaining Tuva villages - Hemu Village, Baihaba Village and Kanas Village. They are all isolated ancient villages keeping their authentic, traditional way of living and old language and culture. Their timer houses and unique ethnic customs are the most charming cultural landscape of Kanas. Hemu Village, the farthest and largest among them, is the most notable and appealing one. It is best known as “God’s Private Palace”. The serene scenery of misty wooden cabins, beautiful grassland, boundless primitive forests bring people into a real fairyland. It’s the hottest place for photography and accommodation to experience the Tuva lifestyle and precious village serenity.

Travelers can experience horse riding when transferring from Jiadengy to Hemu and getting around Hemu Village. You will explore the wild nature in this traditional way and be accompanied by a local experienced groom. Besides, during the summer month (June~August), you can try river rafting along the Hemu River nearby. Lifejack and other equipment will be provided.

Other Wonderful Attractions to Visit

Apart from the Kanas Lake, the scenic area hides many small less-known spots, which are beautiful as well, such as the Swan Lake (天鹅湖), where many white elegant swans fly back to rehabilitate between May and October, Naren Grassland (那仁草原) - a beautiful nature pasture about 14 km west of Kanas Lake, Double Lakes (喀纳斯双湖) - two sister lakes in the upper stream of Kanas Lake, Black Lake, White Lake, Qian Lake, etc.

Taking a hiking trip through fairyland Kanas is a great experience. You can appreciate the crystal clean water from different angles, walk through dense forests and see nice wild plants and animals, fully savor the nature joy of simple pleasure. Apart from hiking up to the Guanyi Pavilion, the most recommended hiking trips are leisurely hikes along the three famous bays (popular & classic) and along the Taiga Forest Corridor (easier hike & fewer tourists). Professional hikers can take a longer hiking trip around Kanas with a professional guide.

Kanas is beautiful all year round and it presents different beauty in different seasons. Generally, Kanas has a cold temperate climate, characterized by cold, long winter, cool summer, short autumn and spring, big temperature difference between day and night and high air humidity and quality. The annual average temperature of Kanas is about -0.2℃. The coldest month - January suffers severe coldness, and its average temperature drops to -16℃. Kanas starts to get comfortable warm by the end of April and early May. Winter lasts from October to next April.

Kanas in Spring (March ~ May): March and April are still chilly. As the temperature rises gradually, ice and snow begin to melt, everything comes back to life and turns fresh green and lively. Kanas Lake water is light green. From May, comfortable temperatures and good weather brings Kanas a beautiful world, and peak tourist season starts.

Kanas in Spring (March ~ May): Huge amount of forest and lake waters make Kanas quite pleasant cool. After rain, the Kanas Lake has multi-colored waters; trees become luxuriant and greener; wild flowers bloom in bright colors; the grasslands are lovely green, mountains afar are topped with white snow. It’s a fascinating Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Kanas in Autumn (September ~ November): Autumn is the most beautiful and charming season of Kanas. Hillside forests change with different colors and mist often occurs above the turquoise lake water, making Kanas an oil painting and a fabulous fairyland beyond description. The temperature will fall sharply in October. Kanas often receive snow from early October.

Kanas in Winter (December to February): It’s the off season, because most places are covered with heavy white snow and the freezing cold temperature (nearly -30°C) scares away most travelers. But Kanas in winter is an awesome ice and snow wonderland, a hibernating beauty and a pure and peaceful world. The lake water is visible dark blue with some ice and lovely snow mushrooms; forests, mountains and grassland are fully covered with white snow. The Tuva villages with snow-capped houses and dreamlike forests create an enchanting ink painting scenery.

You can visit Kanas at any time. Months from May to September, early October is the best time. Winter is also a good time to enjoy skiing, less-crowded, more serene and wonderful snow scenes and interesting winter activities.

Note: Kanas is in peak season, especially during the summer holiday (July and August) and golden autumn (September) and National Holiday Week (October 1 - 7). Prepare for higher costs and large crowds during these periods.

Staying overnight in a primitive wooden cabin in the Tuva village is one of the most attractive things to do in Kanas. You will feel like you’re part of the fairyland. Morning sunshine will wake you up along with the gorgeous scenery out of the window. You can walk around, see leisurely grazing horses, view the quite rural scenery and surrounding forests. There is a wide variety of wooden houses, mostly hostels, homestays and small villas in a different price range. A normal room rate is nearly 300 RMB per night, and some finest hostels charge over 1,000 and much higher during peak tourist season.

Tips: The Tuva wooden houses are remoulded for tourists' use. But, there's still a difference between it and a regular hotels. Please be prepared for this kind of accommodation.

Accommodation in Jiadengyu

Jiadengyu is the tourist center, entrance and parking lot of Kanas. Here it has developed accommodation, including many star-rated hotels and villas with good facilities and unique yurts with basic conditions. The hotels are built in bright-colored and like western castles. Popular hotels are Jia Deng Yu Castle Hotel, the Brich Forest Resort Hotel (providing modern guestroom, Tuva wooden house, motorhome), Friendship Peak Resort Hotel, The Four Seasons Amusement Hotel, etc.

Kanas Nature Reserve is vast. Its highlights are Kanas Lake, Kanas Rivers, Kanas Three Bays, Hemu Village, Beautiful Peak, etc. To explore Kanas to the fullest, you should stay at least 3 full days in the nature reserve, usually 1 day for Hemu Village and 2 days for Kanas Lake Scenic Area (Kanas Lake, Kanas Rivers, Kanas Three Bays...). Below are two recommended Kanas tour packages. They are all flexible private tours which can be tailored to meet your own needs.

☛ 4 Days Kanas Hemu Village Best Hiking Tour
☛ 4 Days Relaxing Kanas Holiday Tour

Kanas is only a small part of the vast Xinjiang. When planning a trip to Xinjiang, you shouldn’t miss the Golden-triangle destinations - Urumqi, Turpan and Kashgar. If you want to try something unusual, what about a desert adventure to Taklimakan Desert or a grassland tour to Yili? Xinjiang has much more to offer. Here are some recommended valuable Xinjiang tour packages (find more tours here).

☛ 7 Days Classic Road Trip to Heavenly Kanas Lake
☛ 9 Days Kanas Lake Fairyland Tour from Urumqi
☛ 11 Days Best Xinjiang Landscape Tour to Sayram Lake