Kanas Family Trip! Chasing the Aurora-colored Lake with Kids + Cuddling Adorable Chipmunks for Ultimate Healing

Who would have thought! Taking kids to Kanas turns out to be the ultimate natural classroom for families! The pine needle and mint-scented breeze brushes your face, kids chase chipmunks, and every photo I snap looks like wallpaper. Here’s a super comprehensive guide for traveling with kids👇 📸 Must-capture magical spots with kids (100% photo success rate) 1️⃣ Panoramic hit at Fish Viewing Platform Worried about climbing 1,068 steps with kids? Don’t panic! Prepare some snacks as “mountain climbing rewards” for the kids in advance. The view from the top is truly amazing! The S-shaped lake bay winds around fir forests, with snow-capped mountains dusted like powdered sugar in the distance. Take photos before 10 AM; the morning mist wraps the lake turning it Tiffany blue. Kids pointing at the lake saying “It looks like a gem” is super cute💎 2️⃣ Lakeside wildflower meadow family photos The Sanwan hiking trail hides a secret wildflower paradise! Put the kids in a patch of red peony flowers while I crouch in a bed of daylilies playing “hide and seek” with them. Have your teammates capture these interactive moments. The lake acts as a reflector, making the kids’ smiles bright and radiant. The original photos straight from the camera got flooded with questions on social media🌸 3️⃣ Drone’s god’s-eye view Flying a drone over Kanas Bridge is breathtaking! Watch the “colorful puzzle” on the screen with your kids—the lake dividing the forest. In the afternoon light, the travertine flats turn milky white. Dress your kids in bright yellow jackets; their running and jumping shadows look like little suns, making the scene full of energy👗 4️⃣ Magical Tyndall light at Shenxian Bay Must go after rain when the sky clears! From 9:30 to 11:00 AM, sunlight pierces through clouds creating a light waterfall. Hold your kid on the wooden boardwalk and let them “catch the light.” Capture the moment they look back; their hair sparkles with light. I set this photo as my phone wallpaper right away🌟 🏨 Family-friendly accommodation guide (top luxury wild style) Highly recommend staying at “Hemu Mountain Villa Wild Luxury Homestay” inside Kanas Scenic Area! The standalone wooden cabin opens to a forest view. At night, lie on the terrace with your kids watching the Milky Way. The housekeeper even prepares bedtime stories and warm milk for the kids—super thoughtful! It’s only a 5-minute drive from the Sanwan hiking trail start, so no need to rush in the morning. You can leave leisurely, which is very comfortable! The homestay also offers exclusive family activities: feed lambs with herders during the day and do crafts around the fireplace at night. Kids won’t want to leave~ 🚗 Transportation and accommodation tips ✔️ If driving with kids, park at Jiadengyu and take the shuttle bus into the park to avoid tiring mountain driving. ✔️ For a deeper experience, choose accommodation inside the scenic area! No need to enter and exit daily, saving time to play with kids. The new village wooden cabins are also highly recommended for great value. ✔️ Be sure to buy a two-day ticket! With kids, the pace is slow; one day is not enough to take photos and explore. The two-day ticket lets you comfortably visit all attractions. 🍃 Unique kid-friendly activities recommended ▪️ Find local herders to take kids horseback riding to Fish Viewing Platform! Kids sit in front while herders lead the horse. It’s easier and safer than hiking. Kids excitedly shout, “Riding horses to see the scenery!” ▪️ Bring small cookies in advance to feed chipmunks by the lake! These little guys aren’t afraid of people and will come close to grab food from kids’ hands. Kids gently pet their fluffy bodies, eyes lighting up🐿️ ▪️ Stay overnight in the scenic area to catch the blue hour! In the evening, sit by the lake with your kids watching the mist rise from the water. Tell them “This is where the immortals live.” They get totally fascinated and even make up little stories. ⚠️ Hard-earned tips for traveling with kids ① The lake color is most saturated at noon on sunny days, but UV rays are very strong! Apply high SPF sunscreen on kids, have them wear wide-brimmed straw hats and kids’ sunglasses to protect their delicate faces. ② The shuttle bus runs every 20 minutes. For photographing Sanwan, it’s better to go in reverse order (Shenxian Bay → Moon Bay → Wolong Bay). Fewer people, no crowding, and kids cooperate better for photos. ③ Always bring windproof jackets for kids! Kanas can cool down instantly after rain. Mornings may be short-sleeve weather, but you might need jackets by noon. The temperature difference is huge, don’t let kids catch a cold!