[EN]Winter Tour FAQ in Kanas and Liangzi’s Tips (Authentic and Original)

新疆亮子

Winter Tour FAQ in Kanas and Liangzi’s Tips (Authentic and Original)

Kanas – A Paradise Destination for Winter Tourism



In December 2006, when Kanas had its first non-closed winter, Alamhan initialed a tour route in Kanas.

In January 2007, Alamhan published the first-edition Winter Travel Tips in Kanas, and Liangzi made a promotion tour in five cities in China.

In winter of 2008, Kanas welcomed the first vehicle from outside, ending the era of solely depending on horse-driven-cart for communication with outside world; the first winter photography festival was held.

In winter of 2009, the road to Kanas was cleared of ice and snow; the 2nd winter photography festival was held, with the honourable guest Mr. Bakely, governor of Xinjiang, to open the festival officially.

The year 2010 was the fifth year to start the winter tourism in Kanas; welcome tourists from everywhere to tour, taking picture and skiing in Kanas!

The year 2011 was the sixth year for the winter tourism in Kanas; Mr. Zhang Chunxian, the party leader, visited Kanas as the honourable guest; the joint ticket, worth 150 yuan, is beyond its value to access three tourism spots( Kanas,Hemu,Bai haba).

The year 2012 is the seventh year for the winter tourism in Kanas; the 2nd recreational sports meeting was held in Chonghur Town, half way between Burjin (Bull King) County and Kanas Scenic Area; the sports meeting has been renamed as the Chonghur Town Ice & Snow Recreational Festival.

The year 2013 is the eighth year for the winter tourism in Kanas; a good news from Kanas Scenic Area Management Committee, that is, all visitors will enjoy free admission during Kanas winter tourism period from 15 November 2013 till 31 March 2014.  

FAQ

1. When is the best time for a winter tour in Kanas?

The best time can be from late December till February, when snow layer accumulates to a satisfying thickness from 30 cm up to 1 m. The late night temperature also drops to 40 degree below zero.

(Usually the lowest temperature in Kanas occurs around the New Year Day.)

2. What transport means would be used in the winter tour in Kanas?

1) Flight + 4WD SUV or 4WD Pickup

After arriving at Urumqi airport, tourists can take flight to Altay airport and then go to Kanas by road.

2) Train + 4WD SUV or 4WD Pickup

After arriving at Urumqi railway station, tourists can take train to Beitun station, the most northern station in Xinjiang, and then go to Kanas by road.

3) Coach + 4WD SUV or 4WD Pickup

After arriving in Urumqi, tourists can take a coach to Buljin long distance passenger station and then go to Kanas by road.

4) 4WD SUV or 4WD Pickup

After arriving at Urumqi, take 4WD SUV or 4WD Pickup to Kanas, and enjoy the Gurbantunggut Desert in Dzungarian Basin in northern Xinjiang, the Ghost Town on state expressway G217 and the Five-Colour Bay on G216.

When tourists arrive in Burjin of Altay region, they can take a vehicle and proceed to visit the Kanas Village, Hermu Village and other scenic spots on the route.

The Kanas Scenic Area Management Committee has started to clear snow off the road every winter from 2008, so as to ensure the entire road from Burjin Town to Kanas can be accessible to powerful SUVs.
  
Tourists in vehicles other than SUV can change to horse-driven cart at the Alamhan Winter Tour Camp in Alamxitay Village, Chonghur Town, Burjin County, and proceed to go to Kanas Village.

Tourists in SUV do not have to wear extra-heavy clothing, for the vehicle is conveniently air conditioned. In case of choosing the horse-driven cart to Kanas, tourists MUST wear proper clothing that can resist the harsh coldness of -40 degree.

3. What kind of clothes shall a tourist prepare before a winter tour in Kanas?

Other essential items suggested by Liangzi;

1) Two pairs of woolen socks; or a dozen if more likely to get sweaty in foot
2) Thick cold-proof underwear
3) Thick woolen underpants
4) Thick woolen sweater
5) Thick gloves; OR snowfield gloves are recommended
6) Strong mountain boots; be sure the boots shall fit your feet in heavy woolen socks, AND shall accommodate a space where your feet can activate properly
7) Snow cover
8) Extra thick snow pants
9) Outdoor jacket with extra fleece lining
10) Thick woolen scarf
11) Thick woolen ski cap
12) High quality sunglass with a large covering surface
13 Balaclava helmet (ski mask), OR brand would be the top choice; it only exposes eyes and mouth and protects you in harsh cold winter in Kanas.

Other things to prepare include electronic devices, such as camera, photo gatherer, mobile phone, altimeter watch, pad or laptop, wiring board, etc. A thermal cup, with hot tea or coffee, will warm you up in the Kanas trip.  

4. How about the accommodation?

Tourists will check into a five-star hotel when in Urumqi or a four-star one in Burjin (Bull King). All hotel rooms in Xinjiang are well heated. While in the Kanas mountain area, tourists will stay in a residential cottage, which is heated by traditional means, using coal or wood from the nearby Siberian larch forest. The conditions will be quite different and might go beyond your imagination.

5. What would we eat when traveling in Kanas in winter?

High energy food would be the main dish during trip, incl. jam, butter, buttered tea, lamb, beef and horse meat, etc.to keep you energized in cold weather. Visitors, who cannot take this as the main food, shall think twice before deciding to join us.  

6. How is the winter temperature in Kanas?

Since 2006 when the winter tourism was started in Kanas, the winter temperature can go down to -30 (day) or -40 (night). The extreme temperature happens in late December, late January and February.

7. What are the recreational activities recommended in the winter tour in Kanas?

Liangzi has the list of suggestions below for your winter tour in Kanas.

1) Photography;
2) Horse riding in snow field;
3) Snowball fight and snowman building;
4) Astronomical observation if you take telescope;
5) Skiing on Kanas lake;
6) Enjoying the local folk activities (only on the New Year and Chinese New Year holidays);
7) Playing the traditional snow ski board made of leather close to Alamhan Cottage;
8) Either taking or riding a horse-driven cart; be sure to use your body weight to counterbalance the centrifugal pull when turning;
9) Driving a bull (peg-top) on the frozen Kanas lake surface; you can also organise a “bull fighting” when there are more than one bull;
10) Snow skiing, on the famous winding road close to Qibawoy Village; vehicles will drive rather slowly so skiers can feel free and ski all the way down without interruption.

8. What ethnic nationalities are living in Kanas? What’s their religion? What local customs shall I take care during a winter tour?

The full name for Kanas is Hemu Kanas Mongolian Autonomous Township. The government is located in the Hemu Village, administering the Hemu Village, Kanas Village, Qibawoy Village, etc. Local residents are chiefly of the Mongolian Towa Tribe, who worship Lamaism or Tibetan Buddhism. The Towa people also celebrate the Chinese New Year. In the festival, people will hold activities such as stone pile sacrifice and competitions like hunting skiing, horse racing, wood sawing, stone moving and arrow shooting, etc. It will be a lively and unforgettable scene you dare not to miss.

9. What tips for the self-driving in Kanas in winter?

Self-driving is booming in recent years. Liangzi proposes some tips for the self-driving tourists in the 2013 version.

1)Take a poly bag of sand and two shovels; lay some sand on the icy ground before crossing;

2)Higher temperature might bring unsafe factors, such as snow slide; therefore, the local people prefer to driving into mountains during evening hours when temperature drops lower;

3)Tyre chains are recommended for driving in mountains, esp. the two hinder wheels shall be equipped;

4)Fill tank full; fuel consumption goes 2 or 3 times more for vehicles on snowy ground with heating on; vehicles with relatively small oil tank shall not start such a journey;

5) Be sure to contact the villages, army outstations on the route or Liangzi (13579848275) before you go; in case of extreme bad weather such as a heavy snow fall, at least you shall know which is the nearest place to get help;

6) Refrain from pressing horn as it might cause a snow sliding in mountain;

7) Take enough food and warm water, even though they might be consumed on the journey; but they help a lot in case of emergency;

8) Every person in the vehicle shall have a shovel and help in case of emergency; do NOT rush over a snow hurdle as that would cause damages to clutch; get down and remove the snow hurdle with a shovel, instead of gearing up only;

9) Take a board or two, or a heavy quilt; you will find it useful when putting it under the wheels;

10) When stopping over at a village or town, be sure to refill the thermal bottle or cup with hot water or hot tea;

11) Take plenty of high-energy food;

12) Don’t forget to take a stick. It is useful when you want to locate the position of roadside drain; it often occurs when two vehicles have to reverse to give way on a mountain road; since you cannot see clearly the drain buried under heavy snow, a stick can be used to detect. The stick can also help someone out if he/she falls into a ditch;

13) Please refer to Section III for personal clothing requirements

Please be kindly noted that take every caution in your every step forward. Have a safe and pleasant journey to Kanas in winter!

====The End

Liangzi, November 5, 2013

For more details please visit www.alamhan.com www.kanaswinter.com

Contact Liangzi via +86- 13579848275 or email 13579848275@139.com