Xinjiang Kanas National Geopark, Xinjiang Uygur, China

5Tommi Tukka 5:00 PM Sep 30, 2017

Stay away from the crowd
Tonnes of tourists flock in during summer and autumn for its unique scenic appeals. Most of these tourists come in groups, visiting a few spots in the park and leave over night. There are many beautiful lakes, streams, paddocks and forests that are not far away and accessible via horse tracks. For example, the black lake (Lake Heihu), the couple lake (Lake Shuanghu), the great paddock named Naren, etc. You can get to these places on a half-day trip or a day trip by hiring either 4WD's or horses, as well as the guide/driver/ranger that comes with the ride. You can also horseback your way to the nearby village of Hemu on a 2-day trip, stopping over in some nomad's house/tent near the black lake for the night. This tent will need to be pre-arranged through your ranger. Theoretically you can even ride to the white lake (Lake Ak-haba or Lake Baihu) if you can find some resourceful local contact that has solid connection with the Forest Preservation Station. It will be a week-long return trip into the heart of the park, starting and finishing at the Northern end of Lake Kanas. You will ride and camp all the way through thick forests as well as vast follow filled paddocks to the shore of the white lake. Sights of wildlife animals such as deer and squirrels are common, and you will probably come across fresh "bear waste" along the way, which will make your horses unsettled. The one thing I believe everyone should do while most people don't is climb the Guanyuting stairs, from THE EAST SIDE of steep hill. Most tourists catch a bus to the car park half way up the west slope and walk up to the lookout pagoda at the summit along that ridge. An alternative and highly recommendable route is hike up the some 3000 stares on the East face of the hill/mountain, starting right at the foothill. You can either walk there which may take an hour or two depending how fast you walk, or hitchhike a motorbike ride from the village. The views up the stares are simply stunning. As you zig-zag your way up, your vision goes further and further away. It would be a great hike and a decent workout on a sunny day. A relaxed stroll on the boardwalk to the pre-historic paintings on some rock near the Eastern shore of Lake Kanas is also worth taking. There are way less tourists on this walk compared to the one along the river South of the lake.

5Zafar Yaab 5:00 PM Oct 5, 2017

How to reach Kanas from Urumqi?
Usually we find many things about the site which is good but still very less info àbout how to reach there. Thats why i prefer to answer this demanding question. As i travelled by train so no idea about other options. 1. Take a night train from Urumqi to Beitun city. There is no train for Burqin (till date) and this trains final stop is Altay but leave it at Beitun. Journey takes 8 hrs, if possible then buy sleeper ticket and ve rest on the way. 2. At the exit gate of Beitun station there are lot of agents, guides offering Kanas tours and no idea what. Just take the simple bus to Kanas without any extra tour. Almost 80 RMB and 5 hrs. They dont stop for breakfast and there is no proper restaurent where they stop for break. So take something for this journey from Urumqi. Specially water and tissue papers. Atleast 3 Police check points on the way. 3. This coach drops you at the entrance of Kanas geo park. Park ticket costs 180 RMB including entrance fee and no-limit bus ride on the main road only. If staying more than 1 day thn 285 RMB total for unlimited stay. Anyway this is recommended as the park atleast needs 2 days to discover reasonably. 4. Find a hotel inside the park as there are many or stay in a village house. There are 3-4 villages and every house has rooms for guets, i think they are not allowed to keep foriegners but they dont tell you till the evening. They are bit cheap but not as comfortable as hotels. The village near the tourist area is bit high but if you can go new village across the river its cheaper and more natural. Have a look before check in. Food is available with limited menu. 5. Tourist area has many restaurents, cafes and info center. Bus to Guang YuTai tower or view point required another ticket. Horse ride and hike options are available too. Bahiba village is prohibited for foriegners. Bays are visitable free of charge on bus. Walk is alao possible as there is wooden path along the road but takes 1 full day. There is a wooden path along the lake as well so walk and enjoye. Boats and rafting options are there too. No idea about fishing.