Kanas

Kanas Scenic Area is located in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, in the middle of the Altay Mountains. It is a national nature reserve integrating natural scenery, cultural landscape and folk culture, and also a national AAAAA tourist attraction.

Kanas is famous for its pristine natural scenery and unique landforms, with the main landscapes including:

Kanas Lake
Kanas Lake is the core of the scenic area, with its water sourced from the Friendship Peak Glacier. The lake is clear and its color changes with the seasons and weather, earning it the nickname "Color Changing Lake". The lake has an elevation of 1374 meters and an area of approximately 45 square kilometers, with the deepest point reaching 188.5 meters.
There is a legend in the lake that there is a "lake monster" (big red fish), which adds a touch of mystery to Kanas.
Moon Bay, Immortal Bay, Wolong Bay
These three river bays are iconic attractions of the Kanas River, with winding waters and picturesque scenery on both sides. Morning mist often lingers in the morning, like a fairyland, making it a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
Fish Watching Platform
Located at the summit of Camel Peak, it is the best place to overlook the panoramic view of Kanas Lake. Climbing to the Fish Terrace requires a 1068 step hike, but after reaching the summit, one can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake and mountains.
Friendship Peak
Youyi Peak is the main peak of Mount Taishan, 4374 meters above sea level. With snow all the year round, it is one of the lowest modern glaciers in China.

Kanas is not only a treasure trove of natural scenery, but also a gathering place for multi-ethnic cultures:
Tuwa Village
There are multiple Tuwa villages distributed within the Kanas Scenic Area, such as Hemu Village, Baihaba Village, and Kanas Village. The Tuwa people are a branch of the Mongolian ethnic group, living a nomadic lifestyle and preserving their unique language, clothing, and folk culture.
Hemu Village is known as the "Number One Village in China". In autumn, the birch forest around the village turns golden, like a fairy tale world.
Kazakh culture
The Kazakh people are another major ethnic group in the Kanas region, and their nomadic culture and traditional customs add rich cultural connotations to the scenic area.

Four Seasons Scenery
Spring (May June): Ice and snow melt, everything revives, and wildflowers bloom on the meadow.
Summer (July August): Green grass and clear lake water make it a popular summer resort.
Autumn (September October): The layered forests are dyed, with golden, orange red, and emerald green interwoven, known as the "most beautiful autumn scenery in China".
Winter (November April of the following year): With white snow and silver coating, it is a good season to experience the world of ice and snow.