Altay in winter fulfills all my imaginations of a fairy tale world～

The surface of Kanas Lake freezes into crystal amber Smoke curls up from the wooden houses in Hemu Village The sound of horse hooves is crisp in the snow-covered forest This winter, I finally found a real-life fairy tale world in Altay - ❄️ Must-visit attractions recommended 1️⃣ Hemu Village · Recommended to go to the viewing platform early in the morning; morning mist + sunrise + smoke make it a photographer’s paradise · Visit the local Tuva wooden houses and enjoy a warm cup of milk tea · Cost: 50 RMB per person for the entrance ticket 2️⃣ Kanas Lake · The lake surface is completely frozen in winter, you can walk to the center of the lake and feel the awe of being surrounded by snowy mountains · The Three Bays (Fairy Bay, Moon Bay, Wolong Bay) have a unique charm in winter · Cost: 120 RMB per person for entrance ticket + shuttle bus 3️⃣ Baihaba Village · A peaceful village on the China-Kazakhstan border, more pristine and tranquil than Hemu · Remember to apply for a border pass in advance - 🎿 Unique experiences list 1️⃣ Horseback riding through the snowy forest · Local horse teams offer routes of different durations; the 2-hour short trip is recommended · Price: 150-300 RMB per person, remember to bargain 2️⃣ Throwing water to freeze · Prepare a pot of hot water early in the morning and experience the magical moment at -20℃ · Best time: half an hour before and after sunrise 3️⃣ Visiting Tuva families · Listen to the Chuer (a reed instrument) performance and feel the cultural charm of the ancient ethnic group · Taste local specialties: Boersak, dried meat, dairy products - 📝 Practical itinerary 1️⃣ 3-day classic route Day 1: Arrive in Altay → Burqin → Hemu Village (stay in Hemu) Day 2: Hemu sunrise → Kanas Lake → Baihaba (stay in Kanas) Day 3: Kanas Three Bays → Return to Altay 2️⃣ 5-day in-depth tour Add to the first 3 days: Day 4: General Mountain Ski Resort (Asia’s powder snow paradise) Day 5: Koktokay National Geopark - 🧥 Pre-trip packing list 1️⃣ Clothing · Thick down jacket, waterproof snow boots, wool socks · Thermal underwear, fleece jacket, ski pants · Knit hat, scarf, waterproof gloves 2️⃣ Gear · Thermos (to drink hot water anytime) · Hand warmers (for phone and camera too) · Sunscreen (strong UV rays on snow) · Sunglasses (to prevent snow blindness) - 📍 Tips 1. Altay winter temperatures range from -15℃ to -25℃, dress warmly 2. Book accommodation in advance; Hemu’s popular guesthouses are in high demand 3. Choose a 4WD off-road vehicle for car hire, safety first 4. Phones tend to shut down in the cold, keep them close and have backups This winter, come to Altay and live a fairy tale dream! Snow-covered forests, warm lights in wooden houses, the sound of horse hooves on snow… Everything here is worth experiencing in person～