Zoë Sheng

Chinese-Canadian - 16-Dec-22 -

Unofficially an extension to Russia's Golden Mountains of Altai (which should also be extended to the nearby Mongolia) it features the southern area of this landscape. Unlike the northern, LARGE area, this section is quite small and mainly exists as a tourist spot. I'll give it thumbs up because it's great nature and the Russian part alone is worth a visit so the extension doesn't hurt.

One can only get here by plane from Urumqi. Taking a car is possible, forget about public transport, and you can see some things on the way but it's a very, very long drive. You are better off renting or hiring a private car to see things you want further south of the airport if you really think that's necessary. Once you arrive (and foreign guests are picked off for special questioning) you get to board a bus that goes to the natural park, or they try to offer you a private ride but it was quite expensive so the bus makes more sense. You get a return ticket for getting back to the airport at the same time. The bus ride is a good 2 hours.

Once you arrive you will need to walk a bit more to the ticket center and a sightseeing bus that takes you further in. You can stop at some places on the way and get the next bus to continue on if you want, do that on the way back, or just take pics from the bus ;) At the end of the route you get to the highlight of the trip: Kanas Lake. My friends living in Urumqi always talked how marvelous it is but having seen many things around the world this isn't making any top 10. The entire area reminds me of an average Alps site. It's pretty so don't get me wrong, and if you haven't seen the Alps properly then I guess you might think going to Kanas is excellent, and for Chinese tourists I think seeing such green unspoiled areas is usually a marvel - no skyscrapers, cities, just trees? What gives!? Heaven!

From Kanas lake you can take a boat ride further up north where it will turn around and return you to the starting point. What I found more excited is a path off the eastern side that takes you to quite spots, no tourists in sight, and eventually you will end up at a border guard station, some steep paths to even better views, some rock art and then you can go back. If you have the strength then I suggest this path. Take some time at the main area to get a good view from the lake but if you are anything like me then the crowds and silly tourist boat will not enrich your experience of nature much. On the way you'll often spot a border patrol helicopter as well, not that they are looking for you but they seem to feel the need patrolling the area is necessary...

As I said, highlights of the trip include the alpine meadows that are crowd-free and you can just waltz into them as long as you don't get lost - I doubt anyone will stop you unless you try to venture north towards the Russian border which is still dozens of miles away so don't worry about it as much as Changbaishan's "You go hundred meters that way you will be in North Korea and the border police will grab you" (which isn't true but, well, don't make anyone suspicious for any reason). When you reach the tall grass meadows you'll just take pics, picnic and rest before heading back - trust me.

If you are visiting Xinjiang then a visit to Kanas Lake is very much recommended. It's not "cheap" but neither is Xinjiang transportation in general.