In the frost-kissed valleys of Xinjiang's Altay Prefecture, the Kanas Scenic Area has become a beacon of winter tourism this February, merging adrenaline-fueled snow activities with rich ethnic cultural experiences. As temperatures hover below -20°C, visitors to Hemu Village are welcomed by smoke curling from wooden cabins and the rhythmic beats of Tatar folk music echoing across snowdrifts.
This year's festival introduces a groundbreaking fusion of tradition and technology: ancient fur skiing techniques practiced by local Mongolian and Tuvan communities now share the spotlight with immersive laser projections that transform ice walls into canvases depicting nomadic legends. Daytime adventures range from horse-drawn sled races across frozen rivers to Uygur-style archery competitions, while evenings ignite with cross-cultural bonfire gatherings where tourists from Beijing to Berlin dance alongside Kazakh herders.
"Our 40+ activities showcase Xinjiang's living heritage," explains a local tourism official, as visitors sample hand-pulled noodles at kilometer-long banquet tables. With winter tourism up 35% across the Chinese mainland's northwest regions, Kanas emerges as a model for sustainable cultural tourism – where every snowmobile trail doubles as a journey through centuries-old traditions.
