How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 11 Kanas)

Kanas Lake, Xinjiang. Visited 5 July 2024

After spending a day in Buerjin, I am now ready for Kanas Lake.

As with most scenic spots, the Kanas Scenic Area is gated so visitors could be charged a fee for the privilege of seeing it. Hop-on and hop-off buses run regularly in designated circuits. Excited crowds already gathered. 

The first assault was to climb 1000 steps to Guan Yu Tai, to catch the view of Kanas Lake from the top. But the rain came and the administration shut down the climb. So, I went to look at Kanas Lake close up and joined the crowd to walk on the grass dotted with little flowers of yellow, white, pink, and rare blue.

The rain suddenly stopped. I ascended with the crowd. I hardly broke a sweat and my heartbeats barely racing. The wooden steps were broad and gentle, made to pamper the knees of all construction.  The slopes were gentle and carpeted with short lettuce-green grass, decorated with petite flowers. Deep below, Kanas Lake in emerald green meandered around the valleys and disappeared as a slithery thin river into the distance. Where the mountains on both sides were separated by a wide corridor, lush green grass blanketed the valley, like a giant open golf course. Drones were flown to gain extra height most do not have, for boastful shots. Sitting on the grassy gentle slopes looking down is a liberating experience. All the pent-up emotions now find an outburst. It was crowded, but there was enough space for all.

After descending from the lofty heights, I went to Shen Xian Bay, Yue Liang Bay, and Wo Long Bay. These are the places where fairies live. The mountains and the fir trees stood guarding so it is least disturbed. The green grass dotted with decorative flowers provided the most inviting front yard. It was paradisaic.  

If I were a cow, I want to be born in Xinjiang. It is such a beautiful place, and so fresh and crunchy. But preferably I wouldn’t be a cow, because beef is their favorite protein here.

To go to the next Stop, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 12 Hemu)

To start from Stop 1, click the link below:

How to experience the unique cultures of Xinjiang, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in 70 days (Stop 1 Urumqi)

The route map:

The route for this Trip:

China Urumqi > Turpan > Kuerle > Kuqa > Kashgar > Kuqa > Nalati (via Duku Scenic Drive) > Kuerdening > Yining > Sailimu Lake > Yining > Urumqi > Buerjin > Kanas Lake > Hemu > China Urumqi > Krygyzstan Bishkek > Bokonbayevo (Issyk kul Lake) > Karakol > Krygyzstan Bishkek > Ubezkistan Tashkent > Tajikistan > Khujand > Panjakent (and Haft Kul/The Seven Lakes) > Iskanderkul > Dushanbe > China Urumqi > Hami > Dunhuang > Jiayuguan > Zhangye > Lanzhou > Xian