Altay Autumn Travel Guide: Food and Car Rental Tips

In early September, the leaves start to turn yellow 🍂, and from late September to early October, Altay enters its prime autumn viewing season. Here's a guide to chasing autumn in Altay:

🛬【Itinerary】:
𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟏 Urumqi ➠ Tianchi Lake ➠ Fuyun
𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟐 Fuyun ➠ Keketohai (optional stop) ➠ G331 Highway (main attraction) ➠ Altay
𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟑 Altay ➠ Ahe Highway (main attraction) ➠ Hemu, Hemu Village Cabins
𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟒 Hemu Scenic Area ➠ Kanas Lake, Kanas Cabins
𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟓 Kanas Three Bays (Moon Bay, Fairy Bay, Wolong Bay) ➠ Colorful Beach ➠ Burqin
𝐃𝐚𝐲𝟔 Burqin ➠ Ulungur Lake ➠ S21 Desert Highway ➠ Urumqi

⛺【Must-Visit Attractions】:
1. Kanas Scenic Area 🏞️: Known as "a paradise on earth," where golden taiga forests meet the azure lake. Highlights include the morning mist at Fairy Bay 🌫️, the S-shaped Moon Bay 🌙, and the serene Wolong Bay. On a clear day, climb the Fish Viewing Platform for a panoramic view of the lake and mountains. If you're lucky, you might even witness the dreamy sea of clouds and Buddha's light!
2. Hemu Village 🏡: A Tuva village often referred to as "God's private garden." Capture the morning mist and smoke rising from the village at dawn, and photograph the panoramic view of the wooden cabins at dusk 🌄. Stay overnight in the village for a chance to hear traditional Tuva "throat singing."
3. Colorful Beach 🎨: A stunning blend of Yardang landforms and the Irtysh River. The best time to visit is at sunset when the rocks glow in vibrant colors, making it a photographer's dream.
4. Keketohai 💎: The G331 Highway from Keketohai to Altay 🛣️ is a hidden gem in northern Xinjiang, often called the "mini Duku Highway." This 200-kilometer route combines the green of grasslands, the blue of lakes, and the grandeur of canyons. It offers the majesty of the Duku Highway with the added tranquility of a borderland landscape, making it a must-see for those seeking unique scenery.

🚌【Transportation Tips】:
You can fly directly to Altay Airport ✈️ (more flight options, relatively convenient) or Kanas Airport ✈️ (closer to the scenic area but with fewer flights). Upon arrival, start your car rental journey.
Another common option is to first fly to Urumqi, then:
- Take a train to Beitun City and transfer to a car 🚗 to reach various parts of Altay.
- Consider a car rental tour, which is highly recommended. The distances between scenic spots are long, and public transportation is inconvenient. Renting a car offers great flexibility.
- **Flexibility**: Adjust your itinerary as you wish, stop for photos whenever you see beautiful scenery, and avoid the time constraints of group tours.
- **In-depth Experience**: Experienced drivers who also act as guides are familiar with the roads and can take you to hidden gems while sharing local culture and stories.
- **Comfort and Convenience**: With a professional driver, you can fully enjoy the scenery without worrying about complex road conditions or long drives.
- **Privacy and Intimacy**: Ensures a private travel experience, ideal for families or friends traveling together.

🧡【Tips】:
- Clothing Guide 🧥: Autumn in Altay has significant temperature differences, especially in mountainous areas where mornings and evenings are cold. Dress in layers: breathable base layer, warm middle layer (fleece or light sweater), and windproof, waterproof outer layer (jacket or light down coat).
- Photography Tips 📸: Wear bright-colored clothing (e.g., red or mustard yellow) to stand out against the golden birch forest. Capture the morning mist and crepuscular rays in Hemu Village at dawn, and photograph the smoke and wooden cabins at dusk 🌅.
- Essentials: Bring your ID card. If visiting border areas like Baihaba, apply for a border pass in advance. Due to Xinjiang's dry climate and strong UV rays, pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and hydrating skincare products.
- Cash: Some areas may have poor signal, so carry some cash for emergencies.

Altay in autumn is a feast of golden landscapes, rustic villages, and hearty cuisine. This fall, consider a car rental journey to deeply experience the ultimate autumn scenery of northern Xinjiang and create your own golden memories. 💛