In November, 2024, the unique natural scenery and snow resources of Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang, attracted many tourists eager to explore. During this winter season, the beauty of nature transforms Kanas into a fairy tale landscape, with snow-covered peaks, crystal-clear glaciers, and tranquil villages creating a picturesque setting.

Since October 16, 2024, the Kanas scenic spot officially entered its winter tourism season, adopting a one-ticket policy priced at 100 yuan per person for a three-day period, which includes access to Kanas scenic spot, Hemu Village, and Baihaba village. Tourists can book their tickets through online travel platforms and check in. Additionally, the Kanas scenic spot has introduced popular tour routes, including the classic Hemu and Kanas tour, to enhance the visitor experience. As part of the current one-way traffic policy on Ahe Highway, no admission fee is required for tourists driving directly into the scenic spot via X852 and S232 lines, bypassing Hemu Village, Hanas Village, and Baihaba Village.

“I traveled from Guangzhou to Altay and planned my itinerary online before the trip, which made everything go smoothly. The stunning snowy landscapes in the Kanas scenic spot made me feel that the trip was worthwhile,” said Guangdong tourist Li Yifang.

The unique charm of the Kanas scenic spot has attracted numerous tourists eager to capture the perfect moment. On social media platforms like Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok) and WeChat, the breathtaking views of Hemu and Kanas are frequently shared, igniting people’s endless fascination for this mysterious land. Zhong Roujia, a young travel enthusiast, was captivated by the snowy scenery of Kanas and decided to drive there with her friends to experience its purity and tranquility.

“The first time I visited Kanas Lake, I was struck by its stunning blue color and beauty, although it was a bit chilly. As we drove in along the scenic road, we encountered horses, cattle, and sheep grazing peacefully. The grilled mutton kebabs, beef, and big plate chicken were all delicious. I will definitely come back,” said Zhong Roujia, a tourist from Hangzhou.

“I come from Hong Kong, China, and I absolutely love the beautiful scenery of Kanas Lake. The tickets and airfare are quite affordable in recent days, making the trip very cost-effective. I even saw snow yesterday, and it was breathtaking,” shared Li Yanping, a visitor from Hong Kong, China.

This year, the Altay Prefecture has continued to consolidate and expand its efforts towards encouraging 300 million people to participate in ice and snow sports. This allows more local residents to engage in ice and snow activities nearby. During the winter operation period, from November 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, A-level scenic spots will implement a ticket-free policy. People of all ethnic groups living and working in Altay will be exempt from entrance fees if they present identity cards, social security cards, or other relevant documents during on-site inspections. Additionally, the Jikepulin International Ski Resort in Hemu Village will have a daily limit of 400 people for free skiing. Those without ski equipment can complete rental procedures at the resort, with specific prices and business hours to be announced by the ski resort. 

Since this year, relying on the unique advantages of ice and snow resources, Burqin County has vigorously developed winter tourism. And the Jikepulin International Ski Resort in Hemu Village has been selected as the third batch of national skiing resorts. Burqin County continues to promote the deep integration of culture and tourism, constantly enrich the format of “music + tourism”, “performance + tourism”, “exhibition + tourism”, “competition + tourism”, and continue to carry out special festivals and events such as the rime festival and harvest festival. At the same time, the county will focus on the new characteristics and trends of mass sports tourism consumption, and plan a number of top-quality ice and snow events. It took the lead in formulating the management measures for the accommodation industry in Burqin County in Altay, which optimized the order of tourism market, improved the quality of service and created a good tourism market environment for winter tourism. By the end of October, the number of tourist receivers in Burqin County was 2.7491 million, with a year-on-year increase of 30.21 percent; the comprehensive tourism income was 13.661 billion yuan (about 1.88 billion U.S dollars), with a year-on-year increase of 27.81 percent.

(The Media Convergence Center of Burqin County, Reporter Jiaerheng)