Moon Bay
月亮湾
A crescent-shaped S-bend of the Kanas River. Its water shifts between emerald green and milky white with the seasons, and two small sandbars in the bend are known as the “Footprints of the Gods.”
Moon Bay is a large bend formed by the Kanas River in its gorge after it flows out of the lake. The river winds like a crescent moon. Because glacial meltwater from upstream carries minerals, the colour of the water shifts with the season and the light, between emerald, lake blue and milky white. Two small sandbars in the bend, shaped like footprints, are said in local legend to be the “Footprints of the Gods,” or traces left by Chang'e as she flew to the moon. At the Moon Bay stop on the shuttle, a viewing platform built along the cliff edge lets you photograph the whole bend from above, the most representative view of Kanas. Shooting in the morning, with the sun behind you, gives the best light. In peak season the platform is crowded, so expect to queue for photos. It can be linked by boardwalk with Shenxian Bay and Wolong Bay.
Opening hours
Follows shuttle bus hours (approx. 08:00–19:00)
Nearby sights
- Wolong (Sleeping Dragon) Bay
- Shenxian (Fairy) Bay
- Yaze Lake
- Kanas Village & Tuvan Home Visit
- Kanas Fish-Watching Pavilion
- Tuojing (Camel Neck) Bay
- Kanas Lake
- Jiadengyu