Lake Kanas

» Burqin, Xin Jiang

Lake Kanas Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Lake Kanas, which means "beautiful, rich and mysterious" in Mongolian, can be found 150 kilometers north of Burqin in Xinjiang. Nestled in the deep forests and Altai Mountains, the lake is 1,374 meters above sea level and covers an area of 45 square kilometers (10 times bigger than Heavenly Lake on Bogda Mountain) with the deepest point of 188 meters. It is China's deepest freshwater lake. About 117 different kinds of birds live along it. There is a large population of Tuvans in the area.

The rich species

Embraced by snow-capped mountains, the Lake Kanas area is covered with dense forests and is the only region where animals and plants of South Siberia species can be found in China. A total number of 798 kinds of trees have been found in the area, including some rare species such as larch, red pine, spruce, fir, and birch. The lake also has 39 species of beasts, 117 species of birds, 4 species of amphibious animals, 7 species of fish, and more than 300 species of insects.

Marvelous sights

The Lake Kanas has several great sights, which add charm and mystery to this lake, and attract swarms of tourists from home and abroad.

Monster in the lake

Legend has it that huge lake monsters live in the deep water of the lake and often has dragged horses and camels drinking along the lake into the water before swallowing them. It is said that the monster is actually a kind of rare fish named Hucho taimen in Chinese, also called huge red fish, with the longest one measuring up to over 10 meters.

Buddha halo shining over sea of clouds

After heavy rains in the early morning, one can appreciate the sunrise while standing in the Pavilion for Viewing Fish on the top of a peak. During sunrises, clouds and mist curl high up over the Lake Kanas. Sometimes, one can encounter the great spectacle of Buddha Halo, like that of Mt. Emeishan, with reflections of the pavilion and human figures in the halo.

Great spectacle of color-changing lake

The Lake Kanas is famous for its changing colors. The color of the water changes several times in a day, from dark green to sky blue, then to gray and white. The long bean-shaped lake reflects the surrounding snowcapped mountains. In autumn, it presents a picturesque landscape of forests in a riot of colors with gold, red, blue and green, which excites your sights and senses.

Thousand-meter long bank with withered trees

On the lakeside are lots of withered trees whose branches are interlocked. Carried by strong wind or waves into the lake, these dead trees strangely flow against the current to the lake's north end and pile up in the upper reaches. With the elapse of time, a thousand-meter-long dike of dead trees came into being, forming a rare spectacle.

The Tuvans (Tuwa people), a Mongolian tribe

A Mongolian tribe called Tuvans lives on the south bank of the Lake Kanas. Believing in Lamaism, it is a valiant ethic minority with a long history. Tuwa people speak Turkish, resembling the language of Kazakh, and live on hunting and graze. They also have a special folk custom. The practices of the Tuvans and Altai Mountains rock-paintings have been attracting explorers and travelers to this area for decades.

The Nadam Fair

Between July and August, the area around Lake Kanas is filled with locals who come for the Nadam Fair. They buy and sell handicrafts and take part in local festival activities including a rather bizarre sport known as Sheep Tussling.

Attractions around » Burqin, Xin Jiang

Natural Scene

• Lake Kanas
• Monster City
• Multi-colored Bay
• Burqin River

Lake Kanas Highlights

Lake & Spring in Great China

• West Lake
• Lake Kanas
• Lake Namtso
• Lake Qinghaihu
• Lake Yamdrok
• Huaqing Pool
• Crescent Spring
• Lake Qiandaohu
• Lake Xuanwuhu
• Lake Taihu
• Slender West Lake
• Lake Hongfenghu
• Lake Dianchi
• Lake Luguhu
• Heavenly Lake
• Butterfly Spring
• Lake Erhai
• Longsheng Hot Spring National Park
• Lake Bitahai
• Lake Shuduhu
• Lake Napahai
• Red Carp Pond
• Hupao Spring
• Black Dragon Pool
• Lake Karakuli
• Tianhe Pool
• Lake Dongtinghu
• Baotu Spring
• Lake Daminghu
• Yuquan Park
• Lake Bosten
• East Lake Scenic Area

Lake Kanas FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. What about climate in Xinjiang?
2. What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

  Food

1. Can you introduce something about Xinjiang Cuisine?
2. Can I eat much fruit in Xinjiang?

  Shopping

1. Can I pay by credit card in the attractions of Xinjiang?

  Other Hints

1. What is Xinjiang Time?
2. What taboos need we pay attention to in Xinjiang?
3. What do we prepare for the long tours?

• What about climate in Xinjiang?

  Situated deep in the interior of Asia and not penetrated by the air currents from the oceans, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has conspicuous continental climate, with highly changeable temperature, great difference in temperature between day and night, abundant sunshine, intense evaporation and little precipitation.

  The mean annual temperature of Xinjiang is 11.7 C - the hottest month, July, averaging about 25 C and the coldest month, January, -20 C in the north and -10 C in the south - and a mean annual precipitation of 150 mm.

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• What is the best season to visit the Silk Road?

  The months of May and October are the best time to travel Xinjiang. The summer can be searingly hot. The winter is freezing. The scenery is most beautiful during May. The accumulated winter snow on the tableland is melting. The grass is turning green. Visitors can enjoy this enchanting scenery without suffering extreme temperatures.

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• Can you introduce something about Xinjiang Cuisine?

  Xinjiang Cuisine can be called as one main style of cooking absolutely. Muslim food is the main stream of Xinjiang Cuisine, beef and mutton is the main meat of Xinjiang people. Xinjiang dishes with salt and spicy flavor are bold in style.

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• Can I eat much fruits in Xinjiang?

  Xinjiang has the reputation of "Home of Melons and Fruits," such as grapes of Turpan, melons of Hami, apples of Aksu, bergamot pear of Korla etc., which are available in different seasons at different places. But please notice that you will get diarrhea if you drink hot tea after eating some fruits.

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• Can I pay by credit card in the attractions of Xinjiang?

  No. Most attractions are far away from the cities. For the sake of the convenience, it might be good to bring some cash money along the trip.

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• What is Xinjiang Time?

  The Beijing standard time, which is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (London) and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (New York), is the standard time used in China. The visitor must know though that in Xinjiang, locals often use the Xinjiang time, which is two hours behind the standard Beijing time. For example, 11:00 AM Beijing time equals 9:00 AM Xinjiang time.

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• What taboos need we pay attention to in Xinjiang?

  Xinjiang is a multiethnic region, of which the population of Uyghur is approximately one half of the whole. It is a taboo to eat pork and the flesh of animals which died of natural causes. In order not to trouble yourselves, you'd better not eat anything made of pork and talk about pig in any Muslim Restaurant.

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• What do we prepare for the long tours?

  All Xinjiang tours will last for several days, the attractions scatter here and there. So you will spend your much time in our air-conditioned coach. Besides, the landscape along the way is simplex. Please be prepared for your long Xinjiang tour. It is necessary for you to take a pair of comfortable shoes with you for you will walk a lot.

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