As the most popular Lake in Xinjiang, Kanas Lake in Altay  attracts flocks of hikers or horse riders . Here is one of the most popular hiking itineraries, which is about a 65kilometre hike from Jiadengyu to Kanas Lake via Hemu Kampong. You are able to enjoy the charming Kanas Lake as well as experience the local environment and customs of the ethnic people.

Tha ancient Buerjin town near Urumqi

Upon arrival in Urumqi, to save time and cost of a hotel room , you can go directly to the Nianzigou Passenger Station(No. 51, Heilongjiang Road, Urumqi, Xinjiang; Tel: 86-991-5879234)  and take the regular sleeper coach to Buerjin. The coach leaves at 20:00 and arrives at about 6:30  the next morning. It cost about ￥150 for the lower sleeper and ￥140 for the upper sleeper. To avoid the congested coach, stay overnight at the White Birch International Hostel (Add: No. 186 Nan Hu Road, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China; Tel: 86-991-4881428) in Urumqi and charter a car to Buerjin the following day. You may also take the daytime coach where the journey is a more pleasant experience as it passes through picturesque scenery.

Get up early on the second day and  charter a car to Jiadengyu or share a car with other travelers if you wish. After about a two and a half hour journey, you'll reachthe starting point of the hike. If you feel tired, you may walk around and camp for the night to relax from the long coach ride. If you'd like to stay overnight at the popular frame house, you'll need to get to Hemu today. The frame houses are in  great demand during the tourist high season.

Hiking in Jiadengyu, Urumqi

On the third day, Hemu Kampong can be completed in a couple of days You may either ride by  horseback or hike. Jiadengyu, a basin at the mountain, is about one and a half kilometres wide and 35 kilometres  from Kanas Lake. It is a three kilometre hike north and a trek through a pine forest covered 1300 metre-high mountain. The Bulalehan Bridge lies beyond this hill. Although originally made of pine , it is still a firm and steady structure. Turn right after crossing the bridge and hike down the north bank of the Kanas River to the east. After hiking for about 13kilometres, you will reach a delta. The Kanas and Hemu River meet here and flow southward as the Buerjin River. Turn north and hike up along the Hemu River for about  two kilometres. You will find a smooth meadow in the wood near to the river and the horse path. Set up the camp here as it is safe and suitable camping place.

On the fourth day, hike four to six  hours and you'll reach Hemu which is 15kilometres away. First, trek northward for five kilometres along the west bank of the Hemu River. When passing a birch forest and then crossing the Hemu Bridge, you now really arrive in Hemu. Hemu is a three kilometrelong and one kilometrewide small basin countryside. You may stay overnight here. Experience the local life of the nomadic Tuwa people and Kazakhs. It's better to camp in the forest beside the bride, where occupies a better position to take pictures and view the sunset.

Kanas scenic resort appreciation, Xinjiang

On the fifth day, hike from Hemu to the Black Lake. This will take you eight to ten hours and is about 20 kilometres. Hike northwest to reach the Valley, then wriggle your way for about 15 kilometres and finally ascend to the 2350metre high Daban. Daban is the highest point of this hike. It will take about 10 minutes to get down to the Little Black Lake at the foot of Daban. The Black Lake is just located in the valley down the Little Black Lake. Set up  camp aside the Little Black Lake andmake sure to keep warm when sleeping as it is cooler at  night than during the day.

On the sixth day, hike westward from the Black Lake for about eight  kilometres, climb over a 2200 metre high ridge, hike  another five kilometres and  and you will reach  Kanas Village. The villagers here mainly sustain  themselves on stockbreeding and they live in frame houses. You may stop for a rest or take pictures. Leave the village and trek along the river valley. After you pass through a dense pine forest, a magnificent view of the Kanas Lake greets you. Today's hike takes about four to five hours and is 15 kilometres. You'll have  more choice for  accommodation tonight, like the camp, frame house and yurt.

On the seventh day, hike freely in the Kanas scenic resort, where this pleasant hiking tour ends.