Kanas Scenic Area is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. It is located in the middle section of the Altai Mountains in Xinjiang, on the border between China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Mongolia. The scenic area covers an area of 10,030 square kilometers. Kanas Lake Scenic Area is rich in biological resources. The forest coverage rate here reaches more than 95%, more than 540 species of higher plants are lush, and more than 100 species of animals live in harmony. It is a huge ecological barrier and an important animal and plant resource bank. Including sables, mink bears, snow leopards, ibex and other national first-class protected animals. Kanas Scenic Area is known as the "Pure Land on Earth". There are 55 large and small scenic spots in the area, which belong to 33 basic types. They mainly include eight natural landscape areas and three cultural landscape areas such as Hanas National Nature Reserve, Kanas National Geological Park, Baihaba National Forest Park, and Jiadengyu National Forest Park. The following is an introduction to the main attractions:
Kanas Lake: It is an alpine lake and an inland freshwater lake located in the deep mountains and forests of Altai. It is also the deepest moraine barrier lake in China. The lake water comes from glacier meltwater and local precipitation. The lake surface is 1,374 meters above sea level, covers an area of 45.73 square kilometers, is 188.5 meters deep, and has a water storage capacity of 5.38 billion cubic meters. The color of Kanas Lake changes with the seasons. In spring and summer, it changes from blue-gray to turquoise blue, milky white, dark green, etc. In autumn, it shows emerald color and important animal and plant resources. Kanas Lake has wonders such as a thousand-meter long embankment of dead trees, a giant "water monster" in the lake, and the Buddha's light in the sea of clouds.
Wolong Bay: Located on the way from Burqin County to Kanas, 140 kilometers away from the county seat and 10 kilometers away from Kanas, it is the drainage outlet of Kanas Lake. There is a sandbar with lush vegetation in the lake, which resembles a giant dragon lying quietly in the water, hence its name.
Moon Bay: Located about 1 km north of Wolong Bay along the Kanas River, it is an extension of the meander of Wolong Bay. The Kanas River bed here forms a half-crescent bay composed of an inverse "S"-shaped meander, hence the name "Moon Bay". There are two small beaches in the river bend that resemble footprints, which are called "fairy footprints" by the locals.
Shenxian Bay: It is a shoal formed by Kanas Lake in a gentle mountain stream. It is 1,327 meters above sea level and is the widest section of Kanas River. There are often clouds and mist here, and when the sun shines down, the lake surface sparkles like pearls, so it is also called "Pearl Beach".
