[2025 Burqin Stay] Travel Guide for Hemu Taoyuan Villa (Updated Jun)

📍Itinerary Introduction D1 (18/5) – Arrive at Kanas Airport in the evening. Take a shared car (7-seater) from the airport to Jiadengyu (¥100/person), which takes about an hour. * You can share a ride directly at the airport counter as soon as your flight lands. Check in at Jiadengyu Qiyun Inn. The inn has a great location, with a free bus not far in front to the ticket office of Kanas Scenic Area. For dinner, you can walk to Yurt No. 21 in the Jiadengyu Yurt Area for dinner. We ordered mutton and beef hotpot, which was delicious and the portion was big. The proprietress was very welcoming. D2 (19/5) - In the morning, I took the free bus to the scenic spot ticket office, which was just one stop away. (~5 minutes) Hand over the 🧳 to the "Little Lake Monster Counter" at the ticket office, and the hotel will transport the 🧳 to the hotel in the scenic area for free. Kanas 🎫: ¥230 (single ticket ¥160 + shuttle bus ¥70) - This is one entry 🎫, you only need to buy one entry 🎫 if you stay in the scenic area. Since we didn't have to carry luggage, we spent the whole day in Kanas Scenic Area, visited Kanas Lake and saw the Sheepback Stone. Climbed 1,068 steps to the Fish-Watching Platform. In fact, we had plenty of time to visit Sanwan, but because the weather was a bit bad and it rained a little, we went straight back to the hotel to rest. Live in Kanas Scenic Area. D3 (20/5) - In the morning, we visited the three bays of Kanas, all of which are very beautiful. We chartered a car to Hemu in the afternoon, ¥100/person. There were 4 of us and the journey took about an hour. Hemu: ¥102 (Ticket ¥50 + Shuttle Bus ¥52) In the afternoon, we watched eagles being fed in Hemu Old Village and strolled along Hemu Bridge. Live in Hemu Taoyuan Villa in the old village of Hemu. D4 (21/5) - 545am Climb up to the Harden Observation Deck to watch the morning mist and overlook the Hemu Village. Wander around and check in at the birch forest. Take a flight back to Urumqi in the evening. 【Must-see attractions】 1. Kanas - Must climb up to the fish viewing platform. Kanas Lake is so beautiful when viewed from a high place. - Personally, I like Kanas Wolong Bay the most. The "dinosaur" presented by the small sand pile is so cute. 2. Gramineae - Early in the morning (before 6am), climb up to the Cloud Tribe on the Harden Observation Deck. You can see Hemu villages shrouded in morning mist, scattered along the Hemu River. I was also fortunate enough to see the Golden Mountain in the sun. 【Accommodation recommendation】 Hemu Taoyuan Villa This hotel is very close to Hemu Bridge, making it convenient to go to Harden Observation Deck early in the morning. The hotel has good service, a beautiful cafe and free afternoon tea when you check in. 💡Note: Remember to bring a jacket, as it is very cold at the Hemu Harden Observation Deck in the early morning. There is a little snow on the plank road, so be careful to avoid slipping.

| Complete Guide to the Summer Fairyland in June-July. 📍【Best Time to Visit】 June-July is the golden season in Kanas, with lush green grass, wildflowers in full bloom, and emerald-blue lakes. The comfortable temperatures (15-25°C) make it perfect for escaping the summer heat! --- 🚗【Transportation Guide】 1️⃣ Main Transportation - ✈️ Flight: Fly to Urumqi, then transfer to Altay (1.5h), and take a chartered/shared car to Kanas (about 4h). - 🚂 Train: Urumqi → Beitun City, then take a bus to Kanas (overnight trains recommended for time and cost savings). 2️⃣ In-Scenic Area Transportation - 🚌 Shuttle Bus: A must! Jiadengyu → Kanas Transfer Center (1h), with stunning views along the way. - 🚶 Hiking/Cycling: Recommended route from Fairy Bay → Moon Bay boardwalk (easy 30-minute walk). --- 🏞️【Must-Visit Attractions】 ✅ Kanas Lake - 📸 Activities: Boat tours/rafting, hunting for the "lake monster" legend; climb the 1,068 steps of the Fish Watching Pavilion for panoramic views. - ⏰ Suggested Duration: 3-4h ✅ Three Bays (Fairy Bay/Moon Bay/Dragon Bay) - 🌅 Best Time: Early morning 7-9 AM when mist shrouds the area—like a fairyland! - 🚶 Recommended Hike: Moon Bay → Dragon Bay section (2km, easy walk along the boardwalk). ✅ Hemu Village - 🏡 Highlights: Tuvan wooden houses, morning mist and starry skies, birch forests. - 🌌 Hidden Gem: Photograph the Milky Way at 3 AM or go horseback riding to Meili Peak at 6 PM. ✅ Baihaba Village (The First Village in Northwest China) - 🛂 Requires a border permit (free application with ID at Kanas Transfer Center). - 🍂 Peaceful and pristine, ideal for relaxing and sunbathing. --- 🏡【Accommodation Recommendations】 1️⃣ Inside Kanas Scenic Area - Old Village: Convenient but pricey (¥600-1500/night). - New Village: Quieter, with views of grasslands (¥400-1000/night). 2️⃣ Hemu Village - Prioritize wooden cabins! Opt for ones with floor heating (¥500-1200/night). - 🌟 Top-Rated Stays: Hemu Century-Old House, Taoyuan Mountain Villa. --- 🍖【Must-Try Local Food】 1️⃣ Local Specialties - 🥛 Milk Tea + Borsok: Classic Tuvan breakfast. - 🍖 Hand-Grabbed Lamb: Altay fat-tailed sheep, tender and non-greasy. - 🥘 Big Plate Chicken: Best served with wide noodles! 2️⃣ Recommended Restaurants - Kanas: Cloud Top Pavilion (great views). - Hemu: Riverside Music Restaurant (amazing lamb hotpot). --- 📝【Itinerary Suggestions】 Classic 3-Day Trip - Day 1: Jiadengyu → Kanas Lake → Fish Watching Pavilion → Stay in Old Village. - Day 2: Three Bays hike → Baihaba → Stay in Hemu. - Day 3: Hemu morning mist → Horseback riding to Meili Peak → Return. In-Depth 5-Day Trip - Add Qiongkushitai Grassland and Black Lake secret hiking trails. --- ⚠️【Pro Tips】 1️⃣ Tickets: Combined Kanas + Hemu pass offers better value (¥375/2 days). 2️⃣ Clothing: T-shirts + sun protection during the day, add a windbreaker for mornings/evenings. 3️⃣ Sun Protection: Extreme UV! Sunglasses + hat + SPF50+ are a must. 4️⃣ Connectivity: Some areas have no signal—carry cash.

I. Overview of Kanas Location: Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, deep in the Altai Mountains, at the border of China, Russia, and Mongolia. Core Scenic Areas: - **Kanas Lake**: A glacial barrier lake, rumored home of the "lake monster," with water that changes color (shifting between blue and green). - **Three Bays (Immortal Bay, Moon Bay, and Crouching Dragon Bay)**: A must-do hiking route, shrouded in morning mist like a fairyland. - **Fish Watching Pavilion**: The best vantage point for panoramic views of Kanas Lake (requires climbing 1,068 steps). - **Baihaba Village**: The "First Village in Northwest China," a primitive Tuvan settlement requiring a border permit. - **Hem Village**: A fairytale-like log cabin village, stunning in autumn foliage and morning mist (often combined with Kanas visits). II. Best Travel Seasons - **Autumn (mid-Sept to early Oct)**: Forests ablaze with color, golden birch trees reflecting on emerald waters—peak photography season (and crowds). - **Summer (June-Aug)**: Lush grasslands, wildflowers in bloom, and cool temperatures (15-25°C), ideal for escaping the heat. - **Winter (Dec-Feb)**: Snow-covered tranquility, offering experiences like dog sledding and "instant freezing" water splashes (dress warmly!). Avoid: **April-May** (muddy from snowmelt) and **November** (transitional period with partial closures before winter). III. Must-Visit Spots & Experiences 1. **Kanas Lake** - Boat cruise/rafting: Explore the lake’s heart and its "color-changing" mystery (¥120/person). - Lakeside boardwalk hike: From the dock to petroglyph areas, up close with pristine forests and waters. 2. **Three Bays Hike** - Immortal Bay at dawn: Mist blankets the bay around sunrise (~6:00 in summer), creating magical lightplay. - Moon Bay to Crouching Dragon Bay: A 3km wooden trail overlooking S-shaped bends and river islands. 3. **Fish Watching Pavilion** - Summit views of Kanas Lake; lucky visitors might spot mysterious ripples from "unknown creatures." 4. **Hem Village** - Sunrise at the viewpoint: Watch the village emerge from mist, with chimney smoke weaving through log cabins. - Birch forest ride: Rent horses or bikes to explore autumn’s hidden beauty. 5. **Baihaba Village** - China-Kazakhstan Grand Canyon: Gaze into Kazakhstan’s vast pastures. - Tuvan home visit: Savor milk tea and traditional *suur* (reed pipe) music. IV. Transportation Guide 1. **Getting There** - By air: Fly to Altay/Kanas Airport (more flights in peak season), then hire a car to Kanas (~3hrs). - Self-drive: Ürümqi → Burqin (~8hrs) → Kanas (~3hrs), passing Ulungur Lake and Colorful Beach. - In-park transport: - Shuttle buses: Base fare included in ticket (Jiadengyu → Transfer Center); separate tickets for Fish Watching Pavilion/Baihaba. - Horseback/hiking: Hem-Kanas trail (~30km, 2 days) through virgin forests and meadows. 2. **Recommended Itineraries** - **3-Day Classic**: Day 1: Jiadengyu → Kanas Lake → Fish Watching Pavilion → overnight in park. Day 2: Three Bays hike → Baihaba Village → overnight in Baihaba. Day 3: Return to Kanas → Hem Village → sunset at Hem viewpoint. - **4-Day In-Depth**: Add Hem sunrise → Little Black Lake hike → Naren Pasture (summer only). V. Accommodation Tips 1. **Inside the Park** - Kanas Old/New Village: Tuvan-style lodges (~¥300-600/night), basic but well-located. - Hem Village: Trendy stays like "Century-Old Cabin" or "Peach Blossom Resort"; autumn rates double (book 3 months ahead). 2. **Outside the Park** - Jiadengyu: Hotel cluster (e.g., Yuehu Hotel), budget-friendly (~30% cheaper than in-park). - Burqin County: Budget hotels (~¥200/night), ideal for layovers; visit the riverside night market. VI. Practical Tips 1. **Tickets & Costs** - Kanas: ¥230/2 days (includes shuttle); Fish Watching Pavilion shuttle ¥20; Baihaba ¥75 (with border permit). - Hem Village: ¥102 (includes shuttle); horseback riding ~¥80/hour. 2. **Essentials to Pack** - Warm layers: All seasons demand windbreakers (weather shifts fast); winter needs down jackets + snow boots. - Sun protection: High-altitude UV calls for sunglasses, hats, and sunscreen. - Bug spray: Summer lakeside mosquitoes are relentless. 3. **Key Notes** - Border permit: Required for Baihaba (apply at Transfer Center/Burqin with ID). - Eco-rules: Drones banned (permit needed); no littering. - Connectivity: Weak signal—carry cash and offline maps. VII. Food Recs - **Tuvan flavors**: Hand-torn lamb, dried yogurt, air-dried beef, butter tea. - **Xinjiang classics**: Big-plate chicken, grilled *Aspius* fish (Burqin night market), lamb pilaf. - **DIY snacks**: Park food is pricey/limited; pack naan bread and chocolate for energy.

#discoverchina This is my first time visiting Hemu Village, and it truly lives up to its reputation—absolutely beautiful. Located in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang, China, Hemu is part of the Kanas Scenic Area and is a well-known Tuva village, often praised as one of the most beautiful villages in China. The entire place has a unique charm that sets it apart. Every autumn, Hemu transforms into a dreamlike wonderland, and the scenery becomes even more spectacular.

#discoverchina Hemu Village is a Tuvan settlement located in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Surrounded by mountains and crossed by a river, the village features wooden houses scattered throughout the valley, preserving its original and rustic charm. It is truly a unique place. The village is home to Tuvan and Kazakh people, who maintain their traditional lifestyles and cultural customs. Visiting Hemu offers a chance to experience the local traditions and rich ethnic culture.

#fallcolors As I journeyed towards Hemu, it felt like stumbling into autumn itself. The golden birch forests lining the road were painted with vibrant hues of the season. Upon reaching the summit of Yunxiao Peak, I was greeted by the surprise of frost and a light blanket of snow. Hemu Village, bathed in autumn's glow, felt like a serene, fairytale setting. This autumn was not just a scenic escape, but a journey for the soul. #HemuVillage #XinjiangAutumn #BirchForest #FirstSnow #AutumnTravel #YunxiaoPeak #HemuAutumnViews #XinjiangTravel #NaturalBeauty #AutumnEncounter

| Hemu Peach Blossom Land. Hemu | Peach Blossom Villa In Hemu Village, everyone is familiar with the small wooden cabins. Although they are not cheap, staying in these small wooden cabins is quite interesting. Due to the dry climate of Xinjiang, there is no humidity problem. Even without air conditioning, the temperature is still comfortable. The room is well-equipped with a separate shower and toilet, which is very convenient. Although the bed is a bit hard, it is quite comfortable to sleep on with the disposable bed sheets we brought. We also used our own disposable towels. We booked a river view room, which is just a bridge away from the viewing platform. You can see the Hemu Bridge from the bed. At night, it is very comfortable to sit at the door and gaze at the river, trees, and mountains. Especially when you close the window to sleep, you can still hear the sound of the river, which is a natural white noise. We had deep sleep for two nights and felt very refreshed. The breakfast is very simple, with plain porridge, small dishes, steamed buns, and the special Baursak and salty milk tea, which tasted surprisingly good. This guesthouse also has a restaurant. Although the prices are a bit high for a scenic area restaurant, the taste is acceptable. The American coffee here is highly recommended. Although it costs 45 yuan per cup, it is definitely worth a try. Overall, although the price is not low, the experience here is quite special. I hope to come again next time!