Kanas (Altay) Weather | Best Time to Visit Kanas
Kanas Scenic Area is in Burqin County, Altay Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is in the northwest of Xinjiang and borders Russia and Mongolia. Located in the hinterland of Eurasia with high latitude, Altay (Kanas) has a typical temperate continental cold climate characterized by dry and hot summer, severe cold winter, little precipitation, large evaporation, large temperature difference between day and night, and sufficient sunlight. The average annual temperature is 0.7 ℃ - 4.9 ℃, the extreme minimum temperature is - 51.5 ℃, and the extreme maximum temperature is 42.2 ℃. In the plain area, the average annual precipitation is 131-223 mm, the annual evaporation is 1367-2066 mm, the frost free period is 123-152 days, and the annual sunshine hours are 2829-3045 hours.
Best Time to Visit Kanas
Kanas is open to tourists all year round (except for days with extreme weather) so you can visit it in any season. The best time for traveling to Altay (Kanas, Hemu, Keketuohai...) is from April to October each year, because in this period the temperature is the most suitable. September is the most popular because of the beautiful autumn scenery. Therefore, there will be a lot of tourists at that time. However, Kanas in summer (endless green forests) and winter (a world of snow and fun winter activities) are also worth a go and will bring you a different travel experience.
Most Helpful Travel Tips on Kanas (Xinjiang) Weather
- ● Big Temperature Difference: In Kanas (Altay) and most regions of Xinjiang, temperature varies largely between day and night, and the difference can be more than 10 degrees centigrade. You’d better prepare warm jackets for your trip, because it’s quite cold at night, in high-altitude areas, and when you visit in winter.
- ● Strong UV: The UV in Kanas (Altay) is strong and the sunshine hours are very long, so it is strongly advised that you take sunblock articles, like sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses, etc. especially in summer.
- ● Dry Air: Kanas (Altay) is dry all year round. So you should drink enough water and bring some moisturizing cream, lip balm, moisturizing mask, etc.
- ● Different Local Time: Though located northwest China, Xinjiang, including Kanas (Altay), uses the official national standard time - Beijing Time (UTC/GMT+08:00). But the actual sunrise time is at least 2 hours later than Beijing and the sunset & dark time is over 2 hours later as well. Get ready for the time difference during your Kanas trip and the whole Xinjiang tour.
Average Kanas Temperature by Month
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Kanas Seasons to Go
Kanas Weather in Spring (March, April, May)
❀ Temperature: -14°C~34°C, cold to warm, dry
Early spring is still chilly and dry. March is as cold as winter with an average temperature of only 0°C. In April, the temperature starts to rise a little, but it is still very cold at night. In May, it’s getting warmer but sometimes the weather is changeable and the temperature may drop sharply. So you need to pay close to the weather forecast and dress properly.
• Seasonal Activities:
1) Kanas Lake is what you can not miss in all seasons. You can travel to Kanas and Hemu Village with idyllic beauty together.
2) Visit Keketuohai UNESCO Global Geopark for the amazing granitic geomorphologic landscape.
• What to Wear & Pack:
Better dress in layers, easy to take off and put on.
Long-sleeved clothes (hoodie, shirt...), thin sweater, coat, jackets, comfortable sports shoes, etc.
Popular Kanas Tours:
✔ 9 Days Kanas Lake Fairyland Tour from Urumqi
Wildflowers in Kanas & No. 3 Granite Pegmatite Rare-metal Ore Deposit of Keketuohai
Kanas Weather in March
- Max Temperature: 13°C / 55.4°F
- Min Temperature: -14°C / 6.8°F
- Avg Temperature: 0°C / 32°F
- Rainfall: 9 mm
- Rainy Days: 2 days
- UV Index: 1
- Sunrise: 7:52am-8:52am
- Sunset: 7:57pm-8:40pm
Kanas Weather in April
- Max Temperature: 25°C / 77°F
- Min Temperature: -4°C / 24.8°F
- Avg Temperature: 10°C / 50°F
- Rainfall: 32.2 mm
- Rainy Days: 3 days
- UV Index: 6
- Sunrise: 6:56am-7:50am
- Sunset: 8:42pm-9:23pm
Kanas Weather in May
- Max Temperature: 34°C / 93.2°F
- Min Temperature: -1°C / 30.2°F
- Avg Temperature: 16°C / 60.8°F
- Rainfall: 11.4 mm
- Rainy Days: 6 days
- UV Index: 6
- Sunrise: 6:18am-6:54am
- Sunset: 9:24pm-10:01pm
Kanas Weather in Summer (June, July, August)
☂ Temperature: 8°C~36°C, a little hot, big temperature difference between day and night
The temperature climbs up obviously in June and usually reaches the highest point in July. But generally speaking, it is still bearable because of the high latitude and greening rate. At noon, it may be a little hot but it is cool at night. Although summer is also the rainy season, Kanas (Altay) is not a place with much rainfall. So the rain is not a problem with your Kanas trip.
• Seasonal Activities:
1) Enjoy a cool summer in the Kanas Scenic Area as well as appreciate the scenery of endless green forests and winding rivers.
2) Watch the grand sunset in Five-color Bank near Burqin County.
• What to Wear & Pack:
Thin, light and breathable summer clothes, like T-shirts, jackets, light coats, skirts, pants, sandals, sneakers, sunglasses, sunhat, etc.
Most Recommended Kanas Tours:
✔ 8 Days Kanas Photography Tour
Lush Forests in Kanas & Wonderful Sunset in Five-color Bank
Kanas Weather in June
- Max Temperature: 34°C / 93.2°F
- Min Temperature: 8°C / 46.4°F
- Avg Temperature: 21°C / 69.8°F
- Rainfall: 29.3 mm
- Rainy Days: 10 days
- UV Index: 6
- Sunrise: 6:13am-6:18am
- Sunset: 10:02pm-10:14pm
Kanas Weather in July
- Max Temperature: 36°C / 96.8°F
- Min Temperature: 15°C / 59°F
- Avg Temperature: 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall: 21.1 mm
- Rainy Days: 13 days
- UV Index: 5
- Sunrise: 6:18am-6:48am
- Sunset: 9:49pm-10:14pm
Kanas Weather in August
- Max Temperature: 32°C / 89.6°F
- Min Temperature: 8°C / 46.4°F
- Avg Temperature: 20°C / 68°F
- Rainfall: 17 mm
- Rainy Days: 12 days
- UV Index: 6
- Sunrise: 6:49am-7:29am
- Sunset: 8:55pm-9:47pm
Kanas Weather in Autumn (Sept, Oct, Nov)
☀ Temperature: -15°C~30°C, gradually cold, dry, fine weather
September and early October are the most popular times to travel to Kanas, especially September when the weather is the most suitable and the scenery is the most beautiful with trees turning yellow. In the morning mist, the whole place is like a fantastic Chinese oil painting. From late October, the temperature decreases sharply, about 10°C in the daytime and below 0°C at night. When it enters November, it is as cold as winter and has some snowy days.
• Seasonal Activities:
1) Enjoy the breathtaking landscape of Kanas Lake and other highlights such as Kanas River, Moon Bay and Recumbent Dragon Bay.
2) Take a leisure day trip to fairyland-like Hemu Village.
• What to Wear & Pack:
Long-sleeved clothes (hoodie, shirt, jacket, trousers...), comfortable shoes, boots; sweaters, coats, thermal underwears in October and November.
Popular Kanas Tours:
✔ 8 Days Kanas Photography Tour
Beautiful Kanas Autumn Scenery & Hemu Village
Kanas Weather in September
- Max Temperature: 30°C / 86°F
- Min Temperature: -1°C / 30.2°F
- Avg Temperature: 15°C / 59°F
- Rainfall: 17.3 mm
- Rainy Days: 10 days
- UV Index: 2
- Sunrise: 7:31am-8:10am
- Sunset: 7:54pm-8:53pm
Kanas Weather in October
- Max Temperature: 18°C / 64.4°F
- Min Temperature: -3°C / 26.6°F
- Avg Temperature: 7°C / 44.6°F
- Rainfall: 15.5 mm
- Rainy Days: 7 days
- UV Index: 2
- Sunrise: 8:11am-8:55am
- Sunset: 6:56pm-7:52pm
Kanas Weather in November
- Max Temperature: 11°C / 51.8°F
- Min Temperature: -15°C / 5°F
- Avg Temperature: -2°C / 28.4°F
- Rainfall: 8 mm
- Rainy Days: 4 days
- UV Index: 1
- Sunrise: 8:57am-9:38am
- Sunset: 6:23pm-6:55pm
Kanas Weather in Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb)
☃ Temperature: -33°C~0°C, freezing cold, dry, snowy, windy
Kanas in winter is very cold, dry and long. It’s the low season and very few tourists visit Kanas during this time. Almost every day is below 0°C even in the daytime. It snows a lot in winter and when heavy snow occurs, Kanas Scenic Area may be closed to tourists for safety. But if you like snowscapes, Kanas in winter is totally a world of snow, nothing like what you see in summer and autumn.
• Seasonal Activities:
1) Appreciate the snowscape in the Kanas Scenic Area
2) Take part in winter activities in Hemu Village.
• What to Wear & Pack:
Warm hat, scarf, gloves, overcoat, sweater, down jacket, warm boots, thermal clothes, etc. You can take some facial cream and hand cream to protect your skin from the dry weather.
Popular Kanas Tours:
✔ 9 Days Kanas Lake Fairyland Tour from Urumqi
Kanas Lake & Hemu Village in Winter
Kanas Weather in December
- Max Temperature: -4°C / 24.8°F
- Min Temperature: -30°C / -22°F
- Avg Temperature: -17°C / 1.4°F
- Rainfall: 13 mm
- Rainy Days: 1 day
- UV Index: 1
- Sunrise: 9:40am-10:00am
- Sunset: 6:20pm-6:30pm
Kanas Weather in January
- Max Temperature: 0°C / 32°F
- Min Temperature: -33°C / -27.4°F
- Avg Temperature: -16°C / 3.2°F
- Rainfall: 14 mm
- Rainy Days: 2 days
- UV Index: 2
- Sunrise: 9:40am-10:00am
- Sunset: 6:31pm-7:11pm
Kanas Weather in February
- Max Temperature: 0°C / 32°F
- Min Temperature: -25°C / -13°F
- Avg Temperature: -12°C / 10.4°F
- Rainfall: 11 mm
- Rainy Days: 2 days
- UV Index: 1
- Sunrise: 8:54am-9:38am
- Sunset: 7:13pm-7:55pm
How to Plan A Kanas Xinjiang Tour
How to Get to Kanas? Kanas can be arrived by flight and drive. Currently, Urumqi has the most frequent daily flights to Burqin Kanas Airport. Turpan, Yili, Boyue and several other Xinjiang cities also operate some weekly flights to Kanas. Travelling to Kanas by land driving from Urumqi takes about 9 hours.
Best Time to Visit Kashgar: Kanas can be visited all year around, but only the months between April~October are suitable for hiking. The temperature gap between day and night is very big. You should pack both hiking clothes and extra layers.
Kanas Nature Reserve is vast. Its highlights are Kanas Lake, Kanas Rivers, Kanas Three Bays, Hemu Village, Beautiful Peak, etc. To explore Kanas to the fullest, you should stay at least 3 full days in the nature reserve, usually 1 day for Hemu Village and 2 days for Kanas Lake Scenic Area (Kanas Lake, Kanas Rivers, Kanas Three Bays...). Below are two recommended Kanas tour packages. They are all flexible private tours which can be tailored to meet your own needs.
☛ 4 Days Kanas Hemu Village Best Hiking Tour
☛ 4 Days Relaxing Kanas Holiday Tour
Kanas is only a small part of the vast Xinjiang. When planning a trip to Xinjiang, you shouldn’t miss the Golden-triangle destinations - Urumqi, Turpan and Kashgar. If you want to try something unusual, what about a desert adventure to Taklimakan Desert or a grassland tour to Yili? Xinjiang has much more to offer. Here are some recommended valuable Xinjiang tour packages (find more tours here).
☛ 7 Days Classic Road Trip to Heavenly Kanas Lake
☛ 9 Days Kanas Lake Fairyland Tour from Urumqi
☛ 11 Days Best Xinjiang Landscape Tour to Sayram Lake
- Kanas Tours
- Kanas Lake
- Hemu Village
- Altay Travel Guide
- How to Get to Kanas
- Where to Stay in Kanas & Altay
- Kanas Airport & Flights
Kanas Travel Guide
- Xinjiang Tours
- Urumqi Tours
- Kashgar Tours
- Turpan Tours
- Tashkurgan Tours
- How to Plan Xinjiang Trip
- Top Xinjiang Destinations
- Xinjiang Attractions & Things to Do
- Xinjiang Transportation
- Xinjiang Weather & Seasons
- Urumqi Travel Guide
- Turpan Travel Guide
- Kashgar Travel Guide
- Shache Travel Guide
- Altay Travel Guide
- Hotan Travel Guide
- Kucha Travel Guide
- Ili Travel Guide
- Taklamakan Desert
- Xinjiang Maps
- Xinjiang Travel Tips
Xinjiang Tours & Travel Guide
Recommended Kanas Tours
Top 3 Kanas tours chosen by most customers to explore Kanas in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary,or tailor your own trip now with us.
4 Days Kanas Hemu Village Best Hiking Tour
Hemu Village - Beautiful Peak - Kanas Lake Scenic Area
7 Days Classic Road Trip to Heavenly Kanas Lake
Urumqi - Karamay - Wu'erhe - Kanas - Burqin - Urumqi
11 Days Best Xinjiang Landscape Tour to Sayram Lake
Urumqi / Burqin / Kanas / Karamy / Sayram Lake / Karajun Grassland / Kuitun / Urumqi
