National park · China
Hanas National Nature Reserve
Buy a ¥240 ticket (covers entry and unlimited park bus), hike the Fair Bay‑to‑Moon Bay trail in the morning, and take a ¥120 boat ride on Kanas Lake in summer; avoid winter visits.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
- Xinjiang ↗No special visa needed beyond a standard Chinese visa; however, a passport‑registration at police stations is mandatory for all stays.
- Xinjiang ↗Official time is Beijing (UTC+8); many locals use Xinjiang Time (UTC+6). Adjust schedules accordingly.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- approximate size of the reserve; check official source
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Burqin
Hanas National Nature Reserve, also known as Kanas, lies in Xinjiang’s Altay mountains and protects alpine lakes, forested valleys and high peaks such as Friendship Peak. The park’s ¥240 ticket covers entry and unlimited bus rides for two days, giving access to boardwalk trails, the Fish‑Watching Pavilion and lake boat tours.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 1980
approximate size of the reserve; check official source
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Burqin.
Why go
- Alpine scenery around Kanas Lake with forested valleys and high peaks.
- Boat rides on the lake give panoramic views of Friendship Peak and surrounding mountains.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanExtreme cold, limited services
- FebVery cold, snow cover
- MarCold mornings, possible snow
- AprMilder, trails open
- MayPleasant, wildflowers
- JunWarm, full boat schedule
- JulPeak summer, clear days
- AugWarm, lake water accessible
- SepCooling, still good for hikes
- OctEarly frosts possible
- NovCold, limited services
- DecVery cold, snow
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine meadow birdsJun–Aug | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Marmot coloniesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake entrance area | Ticket gate, visitor centre, boat pier, bus hub | Open with ticket |
| Fair Bay – Moon Bay trail | Wooden boardwalk and hiking path along the lake shore | Open, no guide required |
| Fish‑Watching Pavilion | Panoramic viewpoint above the lake | Bus ride then climb steps |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points; use for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park ticket (entry + unlimited bus) | CNY 240 (≈ US$35) | person | Valid for two days |
| Boat tour on Kanas Lake | CNY 120 (≈ US$17) | person | — |
| Bus to Fish‑Watching Pavilion (included in ticket) | Free | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park ticket permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- CN¥240≈ US$35
- CN¥120≈ US$17
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission from park authorities.
- Camping
- Only in designated yurt sites; wild camping prohibited.
- Fire
- Open fires not permitted; use park‑provided stoves only.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hemu village (Hémù)
Traditional Kazakh yurts and guesthouses, 2 h bus from the lake.
Near the park
Burqin town
Hotels and budget inns, 3 h drive to the park.
Safety
Cold nights medium
Altitude sickness low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main entrance and boat pier reachable by car with short walks.
- Boardwalk sections of the Fair Bay trail are relatively even; steep climbs to the pavilion are not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Buy souvenirs from official park stalls to support local Kazakh communities.
- Use the free park bus instead of private taxis to reduce emissions.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Hanas National Nature Reserve?
A single ticket costs ¥240 per person; it includes the entrance fee and unlimited bus rides within the park for two days.
What are the best hikes in Hanas National Nature Reserve?
The Fair Bay‑to‑Moon Bay boardwalk is the most accessible hike (2–3 h). For a viewpoint, climb the Fish‑Watching Pavilion (≈1,100 steps).
When is the best time to visit Hanas National Nature Reserve?
June to August offers warm weather, full boat schedules and open trails. Spring (April–May) is also fine, but be prepared for cooler mornings.
Do I need a guide for any activities?
No guide is required for the main trails or boat tours, but guided hikes are available for remote backcountry routes.
Are there accommodation options inside the park?
Overnight stays are limited to Hemu village yurts; most visitors stay in Burqin town and travel to the park daily.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Hanas National Nature Reserve
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