Kanas Lake

Background

Kanas Lake lies deep in the Altay Mountains in the north of Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, near the area where China meets Russia, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. The lake covers 45.73 square kilometres, with an average depth of 120 metres and a maximum depth of 188.5 metres, and is shaped like a crescent moon. Along the shore are sights such as Wolong Bay, Moon Bay, Fairy Bay and the Fish-Viewing Pavilion, and the water shifts between grey-blue, emerald and deep blue with the seasons and light. Kanas Lake was formed by glacier movement about 200,000 years ago in the Quaternary period: ancient glaciers blocked the valley and water collected behind them, creating a moraine-dammed lake. Its water flows through the Kanas and Burqin rivers into the Irtysh, part of China's only river system draining to the Arctic Ocean. Many Tuvans and Kazakhs live in the Kanas valley; most keep their traditional farming and nomadic ways of life, while many others work in tourism.

Local customs

• Take the shuttle bus along the lake to visit the three bays
• climb to the Fish-Viewing Pavilion for a view over the crescent-shaped lake
• take a boat ride to see the water change colour
• visit the Tuvan villages of Hemu and Baihaba to see log houses, fences and cooking smoke.

Travel tips

• A visit takes one to two days
• ticket and shuttle prices are as officially announced by the scenic area. Temperatures in the mountains swing widely, so please bring warm clothing
• autumn is the peak season, so arrange accommodation in advance.
• From Urumqi you can fly to Kanas Airport or Altay and continue by road, or take a bus from Burqin via Jiadengyu into the scenic area. Autumn, with its forests in full colour and clear water, is the most popular season
• in summer the meadows are green
• in winter heavy snow closes the mountains, and opening arrangements are as officially announced.