Kanas Scenic Area

Kanas is one of the most famous and beautiful places in Xinjiang and China. Located in Altay, Xinjiang, Kanas covers an area of 10,030 square kilometers. Kanas Scenic Area consists of eight natural scenic areas and three villages, including Kanas National Nature Reserve, Kanas National Geopark, Baihaba National Forest Park, Jiadengyu National Forest Park, Kanas River Valley, Hemu River Valley, Hemu Grassland, Na Ren Grassland and Hemu Village, Baihaba Village and Kanas Village. In Kanas, you can see glaciers, snowfields, mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, grasslands and other natural landscapes.

Kanas is Mongolian, meaning "beautiful, rich, mysterious" or "lake in the canyon". It is also said that Kanas means "water of kings", which was hit by Genghis Khan on his way to war, hence the name. It is located in the northern part of Burqin County, Altay region, Xinjiang, 150 kilometers away from the Burqin County. It is an alpine lake located in the dense forest of Altay mountains. Unlike most rivers in China, which belong to the Pacific Ocean, Kanas belongs to the Arctic Ocean. There are dense primeval forests around the lake, and the sunny slopes are covered with dense grass. Lake water comes from glacier melt water and local precipitation in Kuitun, Youyifeng and other mountains, and flows into Kanas Lake from the surface or underground. The lake is 1374 meters above sea level and covers an area of 44.78 square kilometers. The deepest part of the lake is about 196 meters. It is the only Siberian flora protection distribution area in China. Now the Kanas Lake Natural Landscape Protection Zone has been established with Kanas Lake as the center. From top to bottom, the protected areas are glacier constant snow belt, mountain frozen snow belt, alpine meadow belt and mountain grassland belt, which are vertically distributed.

 

Kanas National Geopark

Kanas Lake

Kanas Lake is one of the largest inland freshwater lakes in China. Kanas Lake is located in the Kanas National Nature Reserve, near the borders of Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. The Kanas Lake is the heart of the Altay region and is famous for its crystal-clear water and stunning scenery. The Kanas Lake is surrounded by dense forests and snow-capped mountains, offering a tranquil and pristine environment.

In autumn, the trees around the lake turn vibrant colors, making it one of the best times to visit for photography and nature lovers. Summer, autumn and winter are all beautiful in Kanas, but Kanas in winter is really cold and frozen.
 

Legend of Kanas Lake

There is a legend of Kanas Lake about the water monster in the Kanas Lake. The legend of Kanas Water Monster makes Kanas mysterious and attracts many tourists. It is said that the Kanas Water Monster is a large creature living in the Kanas Lake, which will catch the horses drinking by the lake. And some researchers think that the Kanas Water Monster is the shadow of a kind of giant fish(huchotaimen) who is hunting.
 

Fish-Viewing Platform(Guanyu Platform): Best Place to Have a Panoramic View of the Kanas Lake

The Fish Viewing Platform is the best place to observe the Kanas Water Monster, which is also the best place to have a panoramic view of the Kanas Lake. There are two platforms and one pavilion, which can accommodate about a hundred persons at a time. The design of the shape of the Fish-Viewing Platform is inspired from the tail of the Kanas Water Monster and the wings of the eagle.
 

Shenxian Bay

Shenxian Bay is a shoal with forests, grasslands and crystal water. In summer, the trees and grasslands are lush, making the Shenxian Bay a wonderland with the mists. In autumn, the tree leaves are colorful, making the Shenxian Bay more attractive and impressive. Shenxian Bay is also charming in winter will snow-covered. The frog in the morning of the Shenxian Bay in winter is most beautifulwith the roads, grasslands, forests and mountains covered by the snow.

The Moon Bay

The Moon Bay is named of its shape like crescent moon. The Moon Bay is most picturesque in autumn, when the forests around the Moon Bay turn vibrant colors and the color of the Moon Bay is wonderful.

Baihaba National Forest Park

At Baihaba Forest Park, you can enjoy the scenery all year around in one day, including snow mountains, glaciers, forests, grasslands and meadows with flowers, which is charming and mysterious. The scenery of Baihaba Forest Park is similar to that of Switzerland. Baihaba Forest Park is most beautiful in autumn with trees of yellow, orange and red, creating a vibrant and breathtaking landscape. The colorful leaves, surrounding snow mountains and clear blue sky makes Baihaba Forest Park impressive to the visitors.

Baihaba Forest Park is home to Baihaba Village, a picturesque small settlement that offers a glimpse into the traditional life of local Kazakh herders. At Baihaba Village, you can know about Kazakh culture, see the wooden houses and enjoy the wonderful scenery. The stone tablet is the best location to have a panoramic view of the Baihaba Village with the forests, houses and animals. Batebayi Viewing Platform is also a nice location to have a panoramic view of the Baihaba Village. You can walk alongside the trails around the village to enjoy the picturesque view of the Baihaba Village.

Hemu Village

Hemu Village is located in Burqin County, northern Xinjiang, near the border of Mongolia and Russia. Hemu Township is the northernmost township in western China. Hemu Village is one of the most famous Tuwa villages where Tuwa people keep the most complete national tradition. It is also the farthest and largest of the three remaining Tuwa villages(Hemu Village, Kanas Village and Baihaba Village), with a total area of 3,040 square kilometers. The people living in Hemu Village are mainly Mongolian Tuwa and Kazak. It is about 70 kilometers away from Kanas Lake, surrounded by mountains, and is a beautiful mountain village in northern Xinjiang.