2026 Kanas Private Car Rental 5 Day Visit to Tuwa Wooden House with Local Ethnic Cuisine, Transparent Pricing for a Worry Free Journey Recommended Itinerary Price
Contact Manager Guo Jing at phone number 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quote
Explore Kanas:5-day in-depth tour with custom vehicle in 2026, stay in Tuwa wooden houses and enjoy authentic cuisine
Kanas:An ecological wonderland and cultural treasure in Northern Xinjiang
The Kanas Scenic Area, located in the northern part of Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, is renowned for its three wonders: the ‘Legend of the Lake Monster,’ the ‘Color-Changing Lake,’ and the ‘Cloud Sea Buddha Light.’ In 2026, it remains an ecological and cultural reserve inhabited by various ethnic groups, featuring diverse landscapes such as primeval forests, alpine meadows, and glacial lakes. With an average summer temperature of 18-25°C, it is an ideal destination for summer retreats and stargazing.
The scenic area is home to the Tuwa people and other ethnic groups who have preserved unique wooden house architecture, traditional clothing, and folk culture. Visitors can explore Tuwa wooden houses, experience the wisdom of pinewood-constructed尖顶 (pointed-roof) houses that stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and participate in traditional song and dance activities of various ethnic groups while listening to the melodious tunes of the ‘Chuwuer’ (a type of grass flute).
Simple Itinerary:5-day immersive experience
Day 1:Altay City – Kanas Scenic Area (approximately 4-hour drive)
Morning:Depart from Altay City and drive north along National Highway G216, passing through Chonghu’er Town to enjoy the picturesque landscapes along the tributaries of the Irtysh River.
Noon:Arrive at the Jiadengyu Visitor Center and transfer to a scenic shuttle bus to enter the Kanas Lake area.
Explore Kanas: 5-day in-depth tour with custom vehicle in 2026, stay in Tuwa wooden houses and enjoy authentic cuisineAfternoon:Visit the Kanas Lake Fish-Viewing Platform and ascend 1,068 steps to overlook the lake. In summer, the lake appears emerald green, while in autumn, it transforms into a blend of golden and sapphire hues.
Evening:Check into a Tuwa wooden house in Kanas New Village and savor ethnic specialties such as hand-grabbed mutton and Baersak (fried dough).
Day 2:Kanas Lake – Three Bays Hike (total distance approximately 7 km)
Morning:Hike or take a shuttle bus to explore Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, and Wolong Bay, observing the changing shapes of the bays amidst morning mist.
Noon:Enjoy lunch in a yurt near Moon Bay and try dairy products such as kumis (fermented mare’s milk) and dried curds.
Afternoon:Head to the Kanas River Valley and participate in traditional archery experiences of various ethnic groups (advance reservation required).
Evening:Return to the wooden house and attend a Tuwa ‘Suor’ (a reed instrument) performance.
Day 3:Kanas – Hemu Village (approximately 1.5-hour drive)
Morning:Travel by vehicle to Hemu Village, passing through primeval forests and alpine meadows along the way.
Kanas: An ecological wonderland and cultural treasure in Northern XinjiangNoon:Dine at a restaurant near Hemu Bridge and try ‘Naren’ (hand-grabbed horse meat noodles) and wild mushroom soup with rice.
Afternoon:Ascend the Hadeng Platform for a panoramic view of Hemu Village and capture the autumn scenery of Tuwa wooden houses intertwined with birch forests (autumn is the prime viewing period).
Evening:Check into a wooden house in Hemu Village and experience dressing in traditional ethnic costumes for photos.
Day 4:Hemu Village – Baihaba Village (passport required, approximately 2-hour drive)
Morning:Travel by vehicle to Baihaba Village on the Sino-Kazakh border, enjoying the scenic views of the border river along the way.
Noon:Savor ‘dried meat stir-fried with potato slices’ and ‘milk skin mixed with rice’ at a village restaurant.
Afternoon:Visit the ‘Northwest First Sentinel’ border landscape and learn about the life stories of border ethnic groups (comply with regulations and avoid photographing sensitive facilities).
Evening:Return to Hemu Village and participate in a bonfire party (subject to weather and policy permissions).
Day 5:Hemu Village – Altay City (approximately 4-hour drive)
The Kanas Scenic Area, located in the northern part of Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, is renowned for its three wonders: the ‘Legend of the Lake Monster,’ the ‘Color-Changing Lake,’ and the ‘Cloud Sea Buddha Light.’ In 2026, it remains an ecological and cultural reserve inhabited by various ethnic groups, featuring diverse landscapes such as primeval forests, alpine meadows, and glacial lakes. With an average summer temperature of 18-25°C, it is an ideal destination for summer retreats and stargazing.Morning:Free time to purchase ethnic handicrafts (such as fur paintings and embroidered pendants).
Noon:Dine in Burqin County and try the ‘Cold-Water Fish Feast’ (including taimen and five-banded barb).
Afternoon:Return to Altay City to conclude the tour.
Price Information:Transparent custom vehicle services with flexible combinations
Custom Vehicle Fees (reference range)
5-seater sedan:800-1,200 yuan per day (including driver, fuel, and tolls)
7-seater business van:1,200-1,800 yuan per day (suitable for families or small groups)
Fees may fluctuate seasonally and are subject to contract confirmation or on-the-day verification.
Scenic Area Tickets and Shuttle Buses (2026 reference)
The scenic area is home to the Tuwa people and other ethnic groups who have preserved unique wooden house architecture, traditional clothing, and folk culture. Visitors can explore Tuwa wooden houses, experience the wisdom of pinewood-constructed尖顶 (pointed-roof) houses that stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and participate in traditional song and dance activities of various ethnic groups while listening to the melodious tunes of the ‘Chuwuer’ (a type of grass flute).Kanas Scenic Area:160 yuan per person; shuttle bus: 70 yuan per person for single entry, 110 yuan per person for double entry
Hemu Village:50 yuan per person; shuttle bus: 52 yuan per person
Baihaba Village:30 yuan per person; shuttle bus: 45 yuan per person (passport required in advance)
Discounts for children, seniors, etc., are subject to scenic area policies.
Dining and Accommodation (reference range)
Tuwa Wooden House Accommodation:300-600 yuan per night (including breakfast; advance reservation required during peak season)
Ethnic Specialty Meals:50-100 yuan per person per meal (main dishes like hand-grabbed mutton and Naren are priced higher)
Registration Method
Register through Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency. Customer service manager Zhang Jing will provide detailed itinerary planning and contract signing services.
Simple Itinerary: 5-day immersive experienceFee and Service Information
Included Fees:Custom vehicle fees, driver services, first-entry scenic area tickets, 4 nights of wooden house accommodation, 4 breakfasts and 3 main meals (specific meal standards are subject to the contract).
Excluded Fees:Personal expenses, passport processing fees, and optional entertainment activities (such as horseback riding and archery).
Service Information:In case of uncontrollable factors such as weather or policies during the itinerary, both parties may reasonably adjust the itinerary by mutual agreement. For solo registrants, efforts will be made to arrange shared rooms; special circumstances require separate negotiation.
Subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
Travel Tips
Clothing Preparation:Kanas has large temperature variations between day and night. Bring a windbreaker in summer and a down jacket in autumn.
Photography Advice:Early morning and evening are prime times for photographing bays and villages; a tripod is recommended.
Cultural Respect:Remove shoes before entering Tuwa wooden houses; obtain consent before photographing ethnic residents.
The 5-day journey to Kanas is not just an exploration of natural scenery but also a profound dialogue with the cultures of various ethnic groups. From the cooking smoke of Tuwa wooden houses to the morning mist of Hemu Village, from the ripples of Kanas Lake to the border landscapes of Baihaba, every place holds unique stories of Northern Xinjiang. Through the transparent custom vehicle services of Xinjiang Trailblazer International Travel Agency, you can embark on this journey with peace of mind and experience the dual charm of ecology and culture.
Contact Manager Guo Jing at 18139622229 or WeChat 18139622229 to send itinerary and quote
