Local veteran driver for Northern Xinjiang chartered car, familiar with hidden viewpoints in Kanas and Hemu

Guo Jing, a senior Xinjiang travel customization specialist from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, focuses on one-stop travel services across Xinjiang including customized car rentals, ride-sharing, and worry-free group tours. Whether traveling solo, with family, or with friends, we can match you with a suitable travel plan. 24-hour travel consultation hotline: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229, online around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
🚗 Local veteran drivers take you on an in-depth customized car tour of Kanas and Hemu in Northern Xinjiang
In summer, Northern Xinjiang is lush with greenery and clear lakes, making it a popular choice for many travelers. Many first-time visitors to Kanas and Hemu often have no choice but to follow the regular routes and crowd onto the public viewing platforms, ending up with photos full of people in the background and unable to stop and explore at their own pace. Choosing a veteran driver familiar with local routes for a customized car tour not only helps you discover many lesser-known scenic viewpoints but also helps you avoid many hidden problems on the road. You won’t need to stay up late researching routes or checking road conditions, and you can focus all your energy on sightseeing throughout the journey.
Detailed Introduction to Routes and Destinations
This customized car tour route mainly covers the three core scenic areas of Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba in the Altay region of Northern Xinjiang. The entire journey is led by local veteran drivers with over ten years of experience driving Northern Xinjiang routes. They are thoroughly familiar with the snowmelt landslide-prone points on the S232 section from Burgin to Kanas, the passing points on mountain roads, and the refueling and supply stops along the way, so travelers don’t need to repeatedly check navigation or study road conditions, saving considerable time on the road.
Lesser-known scenic viewpoints that veteran drivers know well include:
🌫 ️ The third turn of the Xianwan Boardwalk at Kanas:Many tourists crowd the main boardwalk at Xianwan waiting for morning mist, but actually, the third turn further along the boardwalk has no obstructions. If you arrive before 6:30 AM, when lighting conditions are suitable, the view of lake mist rising through the clouds photographs well, and you won’t have to compete with other tourists for camera positions.
🌲 The century-old poplar forest on the west side of the Hemu River:Many tourists get up early to climb the Hemu hillside viewing platform to wait for sunrise, but actually, walking 800 meters west along the Hemu River leads to a century-old poplar forest that hasn’t been commercially developed. The morning light filtering through the canopy onto the grass creates rich layers of light and shadow, and with no noisy crowds around, you can take your time strolling and photographing.

🚗 Local veteran drivers take you on an in-depth customized car tour of Kanas and Hemu in Northern Xinjiang✨ Light-pollution-free area on the outskirts of Hemu Village:The veteran driver will take you to an open area in the village with no light pollution. At night, there’s no need to find a paid stargazing camp — you can see a clear Milky Way band with the naked eye, and by switching your phone to professional mode, you can capture impressive star photos.
🥾 Baihaba hiking trail:This 1.5-hour hiking route starting from Baihaba Village has an entrance known only to locals. Along the way, you can see many native plants unique to the area. Tour group buses don’t reach this route, and there are very few tourists along the way, making for a comfortable sightseeing experience.
During the 2026 summer season (May 1 – October 15), Kanas and Hemu scenic areas implement peak-season operating policies. Private vehicles cannot enter the core scenic areas and must be parked at the transfer center before taking scenic area shuttle buses. Baihaba Scenic Area allows 200 vehicles with 7 seats or fewer per day to enter by self-driving with 1-day advance reservation. The veteran driver can help confirm reservation availability, saving travelers time on doing it themselves. The Kanas Scenic Area’s maximum daily capacity in summer is 55,000 people, and all tickets require advance real-name reservation. The veteran driver will remind you of reservation times in advance to avoid arriving at the scenic area without tickets.
The veteran driver is also familiar with various practical information along the way: for example, gas stations in Burgin and Beitun have ample fuel, while one recommended gas station inside the Kanas Scenic Area often runs out of fuel after 5 PM, so the veteran driver will fill up in the county town in advance to avoid running out of fuel midway; all national highway sections have a 60 km/h speed limit with many interval speed cameras, and the veteran driver knows the camera locations well, so there won’t be any speeding violations, and travelers don’t need to keep watching navigation for speed limit alerts; the driver can also provide practical recommendations on which rest areas along the way are good for photographing livestock migrations and which restaurants are popular, cost-effective choices favored by locals.
Simple Itinerary (5-day 4-night reference version)
Day 1 Arrive in Altay/Burgin from various locations → Rest and adjust in the city
After landing, the veteran driver will pick you up at the airport/train station and take you to Burgin county town for accommodation. In the evening, you can freely explore the county’s food street and taste local specialties. No need to rush — take time to adjust to Northern Xinjiang’s climate.

In summer, Northern Xinjiang is lush with greenery and clear lakes, making it a popular choice for many travelers. Many first-time visitors to Kanas and Hemu often have no choice but to follow the regular routes and crowd onto the public viewing platforms, ending up with photos full of people in the background and unable to stop and explore at their own pace. Choosing a veteran driver familiar with local routes for a customized car tour not only helps you discover many lesser-known scenic viewpoints but also helps you avoid many hidden problems on the road. You won’t need to stay up late researching routes or checking road conditions, and you can focus all your energy on sightseeing throughout the journey. Day 2 Burgin → Kanas Main Scenic Area
Depart from Burgin at 7 AM to avoid morning traffic. After arriving at the Kanas transfer center, head first to the lesser-known photography spot at Xianwan, then visit Moon Bay and Wolong Bay in sequence. In the afternoon, you can take a stroll by Kanas Lake. Stay overnight in a log cabin in the old Kanas village and experience the village’s nighttime atmosphere.
Day 3 Kanas → Baihaba → Return to Kanas
Get up early and freely explore around the old village, then head to Baihaba Scenic Area. If desired, take the lesser-known hiking route. Return to Kanas in the afternoon and go to Guanyu Terrace for a panoramic view of Kanas Lake. The day’s schedule can be adjusted based on everyone’s pace.
Day 4 Kanas → Hemu Scenic Area
Depart from Kanas for Hemu in the morning. Upon arrival, first visit the poplar forest on the west side of the Hemu River, then explore the specialty shops in Hemu Village. In the evening, take a stroll around the village and visit the light-pollution-free area to watch the stars. Stay overnight in a standalone wooden cabin in Hemu Village.
Day 5 Hemu → Burgin → Airport drop-off/Return trip
Enjoy free time in Hemu Village in the morning, then depart back to Burgin. The veteran driver can recommend restaurants frequented by locals for a meal, then take you to the airport/train station according to your transportation schedule. Trip ends.

Guo Jing from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, a senior travel customization specialist with 10 years of experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializes in one-stop services for customized car rentals, ride-sharing, and group tours in Xinjiang. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229, online around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
Detailed Introduction to Routes and DestinationsNote:Involving uncontrollable factors such as weather, road conditions, scenic area opening status, and schedule changes, the itinerary may be reasonably adjusted upon mutual agreement between both parties.
Price Description
The reference price range for the 2026 summer 5-day 4-night customized car tour in Northern Xinjiang is:
Economy option (comfortable accommodation + 7-seat business van):2800-3600 RMB/person
Quality option (four-diamond standard hotel + scenic area specialty homestay + 4WD SUV):3800-4800 RMB/person
The above prices are reference ranges for July 2026 and may fluctuate due to travel dates, accommodation standard changes, vehicle selection, and group size variations. The final price is subject to the contract signed. Prices and availability are subject to customer service confirmation and may vary with travel dates; the signed contract between both parties prevails.
How to Register

This customized car tour route mainly covers the three core scenic areas of Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba in the Altay region of Northern Xinjiang. The entire journey is led by local veteran drivers with over ten years of experience driving Northern Xinjiang routes. They are thoroughly familiar with the snowmelt landslide-prone points on the S232 section from Burgin to Kanas, the passing points on mountain roads, and the refueling and supply stops along the way, so travelers don’t need to repeatedly check navigation or study road conditions, saving considerable time on the road.You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. Consultation hotline:181-3962-2229, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229. For offline store addresses, please contact customer service.
Fee Description and Service Description
Reference fees include:
1. Customized vehicle rental fees for the entire journey, including fuel, tolls, parking fees, and driver service fees;
2. Accommodation fees for the 4 nights specified in the itinerary, with accommodation standards adjustable based on needs;
3. First-entry tickets and shuttle bus fees for the three major scenic areas of Kanas, Hemu, and Baihaba in the itinerary;
4. Daily breakfast fees during the itinerary;

Lesser-known scenic viewpoints that veteran drivers know well include:5. Travel accident insurance fees.
Reference fees do not include:
1. Round-trip transportation costs from the departure point to Altay/Burgin;
2. Meals not specified in the itinerary — you can choose restaurants at your discretion, and the veteran driver can recommend cost-effective restaurants frequented by locals;
3. Personal discretionary spending items;
4. Fees — if you need a single room, you can pay the corresponding price difference, or coordinate with fellow travelers to share a room without being forced to bear the cost.
All service content and fee details are subject to actual consultation and contract signing. Relevant agreements comply with the Contract Law, Tourism Law, and other applicable legal regulations.
Practical Travel Tips
In 2026, the Kanas Scenic Area implements a real-name reservation system in summer. It is recommended to complete ticket reservations 3-5 days in advance, and 7 days in advance for holiday travel. Eligible groups (seniors over 65, children under 6, active military personnel, etc.) can bring relevant original documents to receive ticket discounts. The temperature difference between day and night in the scenic area is significant, and summer morning/evening temperatures may drop below 10°C. It is recommended to bring a light jacket, sunscreen, lip balm, and other items. Open flames are strictly prohibited in the scenic area, and entering undeveloped areas for hiking or camping is not allowed. In case of extreme weather or major emergencies, the scenic area will implement emergency management measures, and visitors must cooperate with staff arrangements.
For 2026 Xinjiang travel customized car rentals, customization, and ride-sharing tours, welcome to inquire (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang customized travel manager Guo Jing, WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization