Early Winter in Kanas｜An In-Depth Journey to the "Pure Land on Earth" in the Snowy Wonderland

When the cold currents of the Altai Mountains sweep across northern Xinjiang, Kanas transforms from the colorful autumn into a snow-covered secret realm. The frozen lake, like a sapphire embedded in the forest sea, the morning mist swirling around Fairy Bay, the snow line winding through Moon Bay, the jade trees and frosted branches of Wolong Bay, and the smoke curling from the Tuva village chimneys—all without the crowds of peak season, only pure grandeur and tranquility. It is the ultimate destination for chasing the perfect snow scenery and capturing the northern Xinjiang landscape in early winter. Best period: Late November to mid-December, temperatures from -35°C to -15°C, stable snowfall, snow depth reaching 50-80cm, with the best conditions for rime, ice lakes, and morning mist views. Very few visitors, allowing exclusive enjoyment of the secret scenery. Essential items: - Warm clothing: windproof down jacket, fleece-lined outdoor pants, wool inner layer, quick-dry thermal underwear (three-layer dressing method), snow boots (waterproof with fleece lining + non-slip soles), Lei Feng hat, thick gloves (bring two pairs), fleece scarf, windproof mask (key for face frost protection); - Other items: heat packs (stick inside clothing layers and on the back of your phone), large capacity thermos, camera frost protection cover + spare batteries (cold drains power quickly), power bank, anti-slip ice cleats (essential for icy paths). Core activities: Unlock exclusive early winter Kanas experiences 1. Scenic viewing at the three major bays: Capture the core snowy landscapes - Fairy Bay: The "misty wonderland" of early winter. From 7 to 9 a.m., valley moisture condenses into morning mist, winding between snowy forests and ice surfaces. Sunlight pierces the mist forming light pillars, with smoke from wooden houses adding charm, like an ink painting. It’s a golden spot for photography (recommend arriving early and patiently waiting for light changes). - Moon Bay: Named for its crescent shape, the winter river bend is outlined by white snow, with birch and pine forests on both sides covered in rime. The ice reflects snowy mountains and forest seas. From the viewing platform, the blue and white layers are distinct, perfect for panoramic and telephoto shots. - Wolong Bay: The river bend resembles a crouching dragon. In winter, the ice is crystal clear, frost thickly coats the dead trees on the shore, contrasting beautifully with distant snowy mountains. Occasionally, unfrozen streams flow on the ice, with mist swirling, creating a quiet and healing atmosphere, ideal for slow walks and photography. 2. Kanas Lake: Ultimate tranquility after freezing - In winter, parts of Kanas Lake freeze over, forming a thick ice layer that glows pale blue under sunlight, like a "blue ice secret realm"; - The wooden boardwalk by the lake is covered with snow. Walking on it allows close-up appreciation of the vast ice lake and distant views of Friendship Peak’s snowy mountains. Occasionally, birds fly by, adding life to the serene snowy scene; - Note: Only stay within designated safe areas in the scenic zone. Do not step onto unfenced ice to avoid danger. 3. Folk experiences: Feel the snowy life of the Tuva people - Visit Kanas Village homes: Enter Tuva wooden log houses, sit around the hearth, drink hot milk tea, taste milk skin and hand-pulled meat, listen to stories of Tuva hunting and nomadic life. At night, experience traditional wooden house lodging with warm and comfortable fire wall heating. - Horse-drawn sled: A unique transport in the scenic area, about 100 RMB/person/hour. Ride the sled through snowy forest paths, guided by herders on horseback, enjoy the snow scenery along the way, great for photos and experiencing primitive travel fun. - Snowmobile: Available in designated areas (about 200 RMB/person/30 minutes). Race across the vast snowfields at high speed, perfect for thrill-seekers, with distant views of snowy mountains and forests. 4. Deep experiences: Slowly enjoy the peaceful snowy moments - Morning mist and light chasing: Early morning is the most beautiful time in Kanas. Besides Fairy Bay, valleys around Kanas Village also rise with morning mist. Stroll along village paths to capture stunning moments of misty wooden houses, smoke, and snowy forests. - Star photography: Winter has very little light pollution, making the night sky exceptionally bright. The Milky Way is clearly visible. Shoot stars with snowy mountains and wooden houses at Kanas Lake or open spaces outside the village using long exposure to capture breathtaking night scenes (remember to keep warm and protect your camera from frost). - Forest sea hiking: Choose the Fairy Bay to Moon Bay hiking route (about 3 km, gentle snowy path). Step on the snow to hear the "crunch" sound, breathe fresh cold air, enjoy rime and snowy forests along the way, and immerse yourself in nature’s healing. Photo tips: Best spots and light-shadow techniques - Best locations: Fairy Bay morning mist (within 1 hour after sunrise), Moon Bay viewing platform (panorama + curves), Wolong Bay ice surface (close-up + dead trees), Kanas Lake boardwalk (blue ice + snowy mountains), Kanas Village wooden houses (smoke + snow-capped roofs). - Light and shadow tips: - Shooting time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (soft light, moderate rime reflection), 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (warm light on snow, good for panoramas and silhouettes); - Portrait styling: Wear bright colors like red or yellow to contrast strongly with the white snow. Use props like horse sleds, snow poles, scarves to add dynamic elements to photos; - Notes: Let your camera adapt to temperature changes when moving from indoors to outdoors (to avoid fogging). Keep spare batteries warm close to your body. Shoot in RAW format for easier post-processing. Accommodation and dining: Warm comfort in the snowy land - Accommodation recommendations: - Kanas Village: Choose Tuva wooden house homestays (such as "Kanas Mountain Villa" and "Kanas Old Village Homestay"). Rooms have fire walls or floor heating for good warmth. Some homestays have courtyards with snow views right outside the window. Prices around 800-1500 RMB/night; - Jiadengyu: About 30 minutes by car from the scenic area entrance, with more hotel options. Prices around 500-800 RMB/night, suitable for budget travelers or those seeking better facilities. - Dining recommendations: - Must-try dishes: Hand-pulled meat (tender and not greasy, dipped in chive flower sauce), sliced lamb, big plate chicken (with belt noodles), milk skin, fried rice, salty milk tea (warming and anti-cold); - Recommended restaurants: "Tuva Family Visit Restaurant" and "Kanas Old Village Restaurant" in Kanas Village, with fresh ingredients, generous portions, costing about 60-80 RMB per person, offering authentic northern Xinjiang flavors.