Kanas Family Secret Realm: Ahe Highway Self-Drive + Hemu Starry Sky Camping, the Ultimate Summer Kid-Friendly Experience

Nestled among the towering mountains of Altay, Xinjiang, lies a fairy-tale world that will light up children’s eyes—Kanas. This summer, take your kids on a journey along the newly opened "Most Beautiful Scenic Corridor in Northern Xinjiang," the Ahe Highway, and unlock new family-friendly ways to explore Kanas, turning your trip into a nature-filled classroom full of surprises!

🌟 Must-Do Family Activities: Let Loose in Nature

1. Ahe Highway Self-Drive Exploration
This 209-kilometer scenic road connects grasslands, wetlands, and forests. At Xiaodonggou Scenic Area, kids can run and take photos among wildflowers in July and August; at Wuxilik Wetland Park, spot marmots and long-tailed yellow ground squirrels, and use binoculars to observe the peatland ecosystem; by the stream at Yeka Gorge, the whole family can build “natural artworks” with stones and feel the awe of glacial relics.

2. In-Depth Experience in Hemu Village

◦ Yunxiao Peak Cable Car: Take the kids up to the 2,300-meter summit, use binoculars to observe the vertical ecological zones of the Altay Mountains, and enjoy views of four countries.

◦ Beautiful Peak Horse Riding: Ride along the stream, learn about tree species like fir and birch, and listen to herders explain the medicinal value of grassland plants.

◦ Starry Sky Camping: Lie in a tent on the Harden Viewing Platform at night, use a telescope to find the Milky Way, and listen to a guide tell constellation stories.

3. Magical Kanas Lake Journey

◦ Sanwan Hiking: At Moon Bay’s “Footprint Beach” and Wolong Bay’s lake island, every step holds a surprise. Kids can use mission cards to find squirrels and woodpeckers, completing the “Nature Explorer” challenge.

◦ Boat Tour to Spot the Lake Monster: Receive a “Lake Monster Observer” handbook on the boat, use binoculars to watch the lake surface, and get hand-drawn postcards from staff.

◦ Nature Museum: On the second floor, kids can make plant specimens in the DIY area and try on ethnic costumes to experience Kazakh nomadic migration in a virtual grassland.

🍲 Food Highlights: Taste of Kanas

• Hemu Earth Pot Hotpot: A copper pot bubbling with air-dried beef, potatoes, and wild mushrooms; kids can dip yogurt dumplings in honey for a sweet and tangy treat.

• Burqin Night Market: Crispy outside, tender inside grilled dogfish; hand-pulled rice flavored with carrots and raisins, avoiding spicy flavors to suit children’s stomachs.

• Tuva Family Visit: Learn to make Boersak (fried dough), and add butter and fried rice to milk tea to feel the warmth of nomadic hospitality.

🏡 Accommodation Recommendations: Stay Within the Scenery

• Kanas Lakeview Hotel: Open the window to snow-capped mountains and pine forests; family suites come with children’s tents and picture books, and you can book a lamb-feeding experience at a herder’s home.

• Hemu Mountain Villa: Duplex loft apartments with private terraces; kids can play puzzles and do crafts in the family activity area, and join bonfire parties at night to learn ethnic dances.

• Starry Sky RV Campground: Located in Jiadenyu, the RVs have child safety seats; in the evening, enjoy barbecues at the campsite and watch the sunset paint the grasslands red.

🚗 Transportation Guide: Easy Access to the Secret Realm

• Direct Flight + Car Rental: Fly directly from Urumqi to Kanas Airport (1 hour), then rent a car (7-seat business van about 900 RMB/day); stop along the way at Urho Ghost City to photograph the Yadan landforms.

• New Self-Drive Option: The entire Ahe Highway is open; SUVs can drive straight to Hemu Village, picnic on the Tolehait Grassland, and use drones to capture stunning “car in a painting” shots.

📌 Practical Tips: Stress-Free Travel with Kids

1. Ticket Discounts: Children under 1.3 meters enter free; students aged 6-18 get half price; family tickets (including Kanas + Hemu + Baihaba) save 80 RMB compared to buying separately.

2. Gear Checklist: Children’s sun-protective clothing (UPF50+), non-slip hiking shoes, portable binoculars, mosquito repellent patches (containing DEET).

3. Safety Assurance: Helmets are mandatory when riding horses; choose insured, reputable horse teams (reference price 200 RMB/hour).

4. Border Permit: A permit is required to visit Baihaba Village, which can be obtained in 10 minutes at the Kanas Visitor Center in advance.

Act Now: August is peak season with daily limits of 55,000 visitors, so it’s best to travel off-peak. This summer, let your children gain an unforgettable journey full of exploration and growth amid the lakes and mountains of Kanas!