Kanas Lake Overview

Basic Information

• Chinese Name: 喀纳斯湖
• Location: Situated in north of Burqin County of Altay Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China
• Area: About 45.73 square kilometers
• Impoundage: 5.38 billion cubic meters
• Language: the Kazak language, Mandarin, etc.

Geography

Kanas Lake is located in north of Burqin county of the Altay Prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The lake starts at Kalemaxu (卡勒玛虚) in north and reaches Hewute (何乌特) in south. It connects Tiewaike (铁外克)in east and arrives at A’erguisala (阿尔圭萨拉) in west. Located in north latitude 48 °46 '81' and longitude 87 ° 04 '10 ", Kanas Lake is 150 miles away from Burqin county. With an area of 45.75 square kilometers, the average water depth of the lake is 120 meters. The deepest area reaches 188.5 meters, with the water storage of 5.38 billion cubic meters. It is an alpine lake in the deep forest of Altay.

Hydrological Characteristics

With the storage capacity of the lake reaches 5.38 billion cubic meters, it ranks in third place in all the fresh water lakes in China. Kanas Lake is 1374 meters above sea level,and the deepest place is 1,181.5 meters. With the depth of 188.5 meters, it is China's deepest moraine lake.

The lake sees cliff rock standing on both sides, with clear fault traces. Kanas lake is the only river system of the Arctic Ocean in China, and the water is from the glacier melt water of mountains like Kuitun Mountain and Hüiten Peak as well as the local precipitation.

The annual rainfall there is about 1000 mm, with the 2,100-meter area bringing the maximum precipitation. The lake experiences long winters with abundant snowfall. In August, it welcomes frost already. Places above 1,400 meters see snow in late August; places above 3,000 meters start to see snow in early August, and the snowfall could last until late May of early June of next year. The snow depth is about 1 to 2 meters, and snowy days are beyond 73. The stable snow coverage period is about 200 days.

The air humidity of Kanas Lake is relatively high, with the relative humidity of 59% to 90% in general, and the humidity increases with the elevation. The humidity in the forest can reach more than 90%.

Water System of the Lake

Main Water Source

The lake water there mainly from the melt glacier water of mountains like Kuitun Peak and Hüiten Peak as well as the local precipitation.

Water Drainage

The lake is located in the birthplace of Kanas River so the water drainage is Kanas River.

The Legend of Kanas Lake

According to a legend, long long ago, Genghis Khanthe passed through the lake during his western expedition. Seeing such a gorgeous lake, he decided to stop and rest there. He drank the lake water and his deep thirst disappeared completely, and then he asked his soldiers the question - what kind of the water is. One wise general replied that is it Ganawusi (喀纳乌斯) (it means the water of Khan in Mongolian). Then all the soldiers answer together, "This is the water of Khan”. Genghis Khan said, "then let’s call it Ganawusi (喀纳乌斯)”. So is the legend of Tuvas, they are the offspring of Genghis Khan. After Genghis Khan passed away, his sank in the lake and Tuvas left there to guard the tomb of Genghis Khan for generations. And “the monster of teh lake”refers to “the lake Saint” that keep the soul of Genghis Khan inviolable.

Climate

Kanas Lake belongs to cold temperate zone, with a long cold period and short frost-free period. Because of its location in the hinterland of Eurasia, far distance from the ocean, high latitude, relatively large elevation difference and complex topography, the unique climate forms. To know more about Kanas Lake Climate.

The Best Time to Go

June and September are thought the best time to visit Kanas Lake. However, as a lake with amazing scenery, you could enjoy different views in different time.

For those who like photography, middle April and early October are the most beautiful time. The most splendid scenery appears in May and September. May sees the life of spring, with land dotted with numerous flowers and endless green views.

June enjoys a number of flowers and picturesque scenery. It the best place for adventurers and photographers. Late June welcome the most valuable tourism time in northern Xinjiang.

The time from late June to early July watches green and luxuriant sight. Kanas Lake is blessed with lush greenery and all sorts of unknown mountainous flowers bloom. It just seems wonderland.

July and August catches the most gorgeous sight of Kanas Lake. Because of the overflowing of white lake upstream, the lake presents fascinating creamy blue in the sunny day. In July, the average temperature is 15.9 ℃, with the maximum average temperature of 18.8 ℃ and the minimum average temperature of 2.8 ℃. The temperature is pleasant for visiting there.

Kanas Lake presents autumn scenery of blue sky, blue and green lake water, birches, and yellow pine with bright yellow in middle and late September. This period is decorated with a variety of multi-layer nature color, which makes it a oil printing-like view.

In winters, Kanas Lake is the heaven of snow. For those who love snow sports, it is the best time to visit Kanas Lake in winters.

Things to Do

Kanas Lake Scenic is blessed with diverse tourist resources that you could appreciate like snow-covered mountains, lakes, glacier, forests, grasslands, local villages with unique characteristics. Then, Kanas Lake is named as “the heaven of photography” so it is a wonderful place for photography. Then, Kanas Lake has three wonders that you could admire, they are the thousand-meter embankment of dead wood, the mammoth “water monster”and the sea of clouds and the Buddha's light in rainy days.

History& Culture

In 1775 (Qing Dynasty), Junggar Tribe was squashed, which makes it be managed by Uliastai (乌里雅苏台). In 1762, the Qing Court enrolled Wulianghai people (乌梁海人) as Qiqi (七旗), and divided them into left and right wing. The area belonged to Zuoqizhasake (左旗扎萨克) of left wing. In 1903, the area belonged to the administration of Amban Khobdo. In the first reign year of the Republic of China (1912), Altay is under the jurisdiction of the central government. In 1919，Altay was managed by Xinjiang Pravince, and then Burqin county was established. And Kanas belonged to Burqin county.

After the founding of new China, in 1980, People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region approved to set up the Kanas Nature Reserve. In 1986, the State Council approved it to be the National Nature Reserve, and it belongs to the management of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Forestry Bureau.

In 2003, Altay Prefecture was formed beyond the Kanas Administration Organization to unify the management of the regional resources development, utilization and protection.
In July 2006, Altay Prefectural Party Committee and Altay Administration decided to set up the Kanas Scenic Spot Committee and Kanas Scenic Area Management Committee of CPC to decide the administrative areas of the 10,030-square-kilometer Kanas Scenic Spot. Also, Hemhanas Mongolian Nationality Township and Tiereketi Township of Habahe County were decided to be administered by the committee.

Tourism

Kanas means "the beautiful, fertile and mysterious" in Mongolian. Using it as the name of this land, it is the most suitable one. Known as “the oriental Switzerland” and “the heaven for photographers”, it is famous for the splendid views of Kanas Lake, nearby snow-covered mountains, grassland and birch forest. Kanas is a comprehensive scenic spot that gathers glacier, lake, forest, grassland, pasture, river, ethic culture and rare animals and plants together.

Kanas Scenic Area is located in the deep forest of Altay Prefecture. It is 800 miles away from Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang. It covers well-known scenic sites like Karas Lake Scenic Spot, Hemu Village and Baihaba Village. Karas Lake isknown for its mysterious lake monster, varied lake water and charming natural scenery. Like the fairyland on the earth, Hemu Village and Baihaba Village are the villages that local Tuvas gather, with the charm and elegance of Swiss towns. Kanas is one of the nine hiking routes in China. It is a stunning and charming route in the hearts of outdoor enthusiasts. has become a domestic lines in a paradise.

Transportation

People could take train, plane, long-distance bus or choose self-driving way to reach Kanas Scenic Spot. The accommodation and shopping in Burqin county where kanas Lake locates are much more convenient, so most tourists would choose to first arrive in Burqin city, and then take long-distance bus to Kanas Scenic Spot. To know more about Kanas Lake Transportation.

Festivals 

Each place has its own special and unique festival in China in addition to the traditional Chinese festival. In Kanas Lake, Tuvans are the original inhabitants there so that Tuvan festivals and activities show the local specialty. To know more about Kanas Lake Festivals.

Dining

Kanas Scenic Spot, just like other tourist spots, gathers various snacks. You could eat a variety of snacks of places in Xinjiang as well as snacks and dishes with local characteristics. To know more about Kanas Lake Dining.