The Kanas Scenic Area offers some of the best walking in northwest China. A network of trails runs through old-growth forest above the lake, up to ridge viewpoints, and along tributary valleys where the only sounds are wind, water, and birds. The forest here is genuinely ancient — Siberian spruce, fir, and larch growing to considerable heights — and wildlife sightings are common: elk, roe deer, brown bears (treat with appropriate caution), and an abundance of birds including Eurasian eagle-owls.
The most popular trail leads from the main visitor hub to the Fish Watching Pavilion overlook and on to the Moon Bay viewpoint, a horseshoe bend in the Kanas River where the water turns a brilliant blue-green. The round trip takes two to three hours at a moderate pace. Longer routes climb to the plateau above the forest and reach viewpoints over the Altay range.
Trails are best in summer and early autumn. In late autumn, after the first snows, some routes become difficult without proper footwear. Always carry water; the pavilion areas have shops but trail facilities are limited beyond them.