If you have ever dreamed of stepping into a snow-covered fairytale, winter in Kanas will make that dream feel real. Located in northern Xinjiang’s Altay region, Kanas transforms from a lush summer retreat into a glistening white kingdom between late October and February. Whether it’s the smoky winter sun, blue-ice lakes, quiet villages, or forests heavy with snow, everything here feels like stepping into a storybook.
Let’s walk through what makes winter the best season in Kanas, and how you can plan the perfect trip.
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🍁 Late Autumn or Deep Winter — Which to Choose?
✔ October 20 – November 5：Late Autumn to Early Winter
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Temperature: -5°C to 5°C (-15°C at night)
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Golden forests + first snow = surreal scenery
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Fewer visitors, more peaceful
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Best visibility of the entire year
✔ December – February：Deep Winter
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Temperature drops to -30°C and beyond
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Snow depth reaches 1 meter
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Famous blue ice appears at Kanas Lake
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Winter activities like snowmobile rides become available
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Hotels are half the peak-season price
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Requires professional winter gear
If you want magical snow landscapes and incredible photos, deep winter is unbeatable.
⭐ Top 5 Must-See Places in Kanas
1. Three Bays: Fairy Bay, Moon Bay & Wolong Bay
These iconic curves of the Kanas River are surreal in winter.
Morning fog hangs over the forest, the ice reflects the sky like a mirror, and the winding S-shaped river becomes a natural piece of art.
In winter, you can even ride a snowmobile here (around 200 RMB/person).
2. Guanyu Terrace (Fish-Watching Pavilion)
A climb of 1,068 steps, or ride a horse (150–400 RMB/person).
From the top, you can see three-quarters of Kanas Lake, plus the distant Friendship Peak glacier. On clear days, the panoramic view is unbelievable.
3. Hemu Village
Often called “God’s private land,” Hemu is one of the most beautiful snow villages in China.
Spend the night in a traditional Tuva wooden lodge (around 400 RMB/night).
Try village experiences like:
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Milking local cows
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Making birch-bark art (30 RMB)
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Walking on wooden bridges surrounded by snow-laden forests
4. Baihaba Village
Known as “the first village of Northwest China,” Baihaba feels quiet and untouched by time.
You must apply for a free border pass beforehand at Burqin Visitor Center.
Don’t miss:
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Riding a horse to the China–Kazakhstan No.5 border marker
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Climbing the viewpoint overlooking the snow-capped village
5. Kanas Lake
In late autumn, the lake is peacock blue.
In winter, the lake freezes into layers of blue ice, and snow mushrooms dot the surface—like a frozen world from another planet.
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🚗 Transportation (from Urumqi)
There’s no need to overthink transportation—here’s the easiest route:
1. Train from Urumqi → Beitun
Buy a night train departing around 11 p.m.
You’ll arrive at Beitun Station around 7 a.m.
2. Beitun → Jiadengyu / Hemu (Carpool)
Outside the station, drivers wait for passengers.
Approx 150 RMB per person.
Choose your first stop:
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Jiadengyu → for entering the Kanas scenic area
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Hemu → if staying in the snow village first
🏨 Where to Stay
✔ Jiadengyu
A forest scenic area just outside Kanas. Great choice for:
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Lower prices
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Private bathrooms
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Easy access to shuttle buses
✔ Inside Kanas Scenic Area
More expensive but perfect if you want to wake up inside the snow forest.
🎫 How to Enter the Kanas Scenic Area
Purchase your tickets in advance through the official “Yuan Xing Wang (原行网)” WeChat mini-program.
Two ticket types:
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One-entry ticket → for staying inside the scenic area
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Two-entry ticket → recommended if staying in Jiadengyu
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Allows unlimited entry the next day
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Avoids missing the ideal time slot
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Buy early—popular time slots always sell out.
🗺 Suggested Route Inside Kanas
After boarding the shuttle bus from the Visitor Center:
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Wolong Bay
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Moon Bay
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Fairy Bay
→ All available for walking or photo stops.
There are beautiful boardwalks for hikers, especially a hidden path beside Fairy Bay—perfect for photos.
Why I skipped Guanyu Terrace
It requires reservation + time. If your schedule is tight, prioritize the Three Bays and the lake.
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🐎 Baihaba Village – Half-Day Trip
Book the ticket + shuttle bus combo (around 75 RMB).
At the Kanas Transfer Center, apply for your border pass at the police station.
Travel time: 1 hour
You can also find a local driver (around 50 RMB per stop) to take you to:
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Sky Grassland
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Snowy viewpoints
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Instagram-famous wooden fences
Baihaba is beautiful, but not as stunning as Kanas—don’t spend too long here.
🚗 Return Journey
Each scenic area has a shuttle system:
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Baihaba → Kanas Transfer Center
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Kanas → Jiadengyu Visitor Center
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Jiadengyu → hotel or village restaurants
For returning to Beitun, keep your driver’s number and arrange it one day before.
Departure is usually 3–4 a.m. to catch morning trains.
❌ Five Things to Avoid (Very Important)
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Daily visitor limit: 30,000 people
Book tickets 3 days early. -
Guanyu Terrace climb is steep
Those with heart issues should ride a horse. -
Drones require advance registration
(200 RMB/time, some areas are no-fly zones) -
Baihaba requires a border permit
Don’t go without it. -
Winter = many hotels closed
Always confirm in advance.
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🧥 What to Wear in Winter (Simple & Effective)
Must-have
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Waterproof down jacket
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Fleece jacket
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Thermal underwear
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Waterproof snow boots
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Ice cleats (rent for 50 RMB/day)
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Thick gloves, scarf, hat
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Sunglasses (snow blindness is real!)
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Extra camera batteries
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Thermos bottle
Temperature can reach -30°C — don’t underestimate the cold.
📸 Best Photo Spots & Tips
🌫 Fairy Bay Morning Fog
Arrive before sunrise—the fog + snow forest = pure magic.
❄ Moon Bay
Looks like a silver ribbon from above.
❄ Kanas Lake Blue Ice
Sunlight creates deep blue cracks—perfect for close-up shots.
🏘 Hemu Village
Snow-covered wooden cabins + horse sleighs = holiday postcard.
📷 Tips
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Wear bright colors (red/yellow/green)
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Best lighting: before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.
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Bring a tripod for blue ice, fog, or night shots
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🗓 3-Day Itinerary (Relaxed Pace)
Day 1
Urumqi → Beitun → Jiadengyu → Kanas Village
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Afternoon: Three Bays (Wolong, Moon, Fairy)
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Sunset: Guanyu Terrace (optional)
Day 2
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Early morning: Fairy Bay fog
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Visit Kanas Lake
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Transfer to Baihaba and explore viewpoints
Day 3
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Baihaba sunrise
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Go to Hemu Village
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Wander through snow forests and wooden cabins
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Return to Jiadengyu or Beitun
❤️ Final Thoughts
Once it snows, Kanas becomes everything winter fairytales promise—quiet, vast, pure, and unbelievably beautiful. Walking through frozen lakes and snowy forests feels like stepping into another world.
If there is one winter trip you take in China, let it be Kanas.
You will leave with full memory cards, warm hands wrapped around hot tea, and a heart that doesn’t want to say goodbye.
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