Hemu Village – Explore Life of Tuva People in the Most Beautiful Countryside in China

Written by Veronica | Updated September 04,2025

Located in the Altay Mountains of northern Xinjiang and within Kanas Nature Reserve, Hemu Village is one of the three remaining habitats of the Tuva people who live a traditional nomadic lifestyle of grazing animals and hunting. Being surrounded by towering mountains and lush birch forests, the village is widely known for its stunning natural beauty which is especially breathtaking in autumn when the surrounding birch forests turn golden. Every year, thousands of nature and photography lovers flock here to marvel at its serene and picturesque view of traditional wooden houses, the misty mountains, and the peaceful countryside.

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• Fast Facts of Hemu Village
• Highlights of Hemu Village – Why Visit?
• What to See and Do in Hemu Village
• Best Time to Visit Hemu Village
• Attractions nearby Hemu Village
• How to Get to Hemu Village
• Accommodation in Hemu Village
• FAQs about Hemu Village
• Travel with China Xian Tour to Experience Hemu Village

Fast Facts of Hemu Village

• Location: Kanas Nature Reserve in the Altay region, Xinjiang, China
• Travel essentials: Accommodations and restaurants are available in the nearby town of Jiadengyu.
• Area: Approximately 5 square kilometers.
• Recommended Time to Go: from June to Mid-October.
• Time Needed: 1-2 days exploring the village and the surrounding area.
• Highlights: Traditional wooden houses, breathtaking scenery, horseback riding, and cultural experiences.
• Suited to: Travelers interested in experiencing the traditional way of life in China’s remote and beautiful regions.

Highlights of Hemu Village – Why Visit?

Located in Xinjiang’s Kanas Nature Reserve, Hemu Village is China’s largest and northernmost Tuva settlement, offering a rare but captivating window into nomadic life. As the descendants of Genghis Khan’s soldiers, the Tuva people still preserve work to their heritage through things like Tuva language, half-underground wooden, and traditions like hunting and herding.

When you walk into the village, you will see the views unfold like a painting: golden birch forests blanket autumn hills, while snow-capped peaks tower in winter. Each season paints a new scene: spring wildflowers, summer emerald grasslands, autumn gold, and winter frost.

What to See and Do in Hemu Village

As a popular scenic and cultural destination in Xinjiang, Hemu Village is no shortage of attractions and charming activities to amaze tourists. Below are some of our  suggestions for what to see and do when traveling to Hemu Village.

Discover secrets of Tuva people’s wooden houses:

When arriving at Hemu Village, you will be impressed by the many wooden houses which are homes of local Tuva people. According to the legend, Tuva people are the offspring of soldiers who followed Genghis Khan on the western campaign. They still comunicate with the rare Tuva language and make a living by hunting and herding. Their wooden houses are a reflection of their unique culture and lifestyle. The houses are built with logs and stones, with birch bark covered on the roof to waterproof. As the temperature can drop below -30°C in this area, Tuva people built half of their houses underground to keep warm. They think east is auspicious as it welcomes the rising sun and the blessings of nature, thus set a door facing east for each house.

Explore the surrounding birch forest:

Surrounding Hemu Village are lush mountains and a vast expanse of birch forest that covers the mountain slopes. The birch trees change colors with the shifting seasons, with green leaves in summer and looking like a golden sea in autumn. Taking a leisure walk in the forest, you’ll encounter a natural wonderland with wild flowers, mushrooms, squirrels, deer, and many wild birds. Ranking as one of the most scenic attractions in this area, the birch forest is surely a can’t miss for photographers and nature lovers.

Experience Tuva people’s culture and lifestyle:

As we mentioned above, the Tuva people in Hemu Village are said to be the offspring of warriors who followed Genghis Khan on the western campaign. They still preserve their rare Tuva language and the simple and ancient lifestyle by grazing animals and hunting. While in Hemu Village, you can stay in their traditional wooden houses, visit a Tuva family (locals are very hospitable and welcome guests to visit their family) to learn their religion, rituals and ceremonies, savor their local food, and play their traditional instruments, such as horse-head fiddle and the mouth harp.

Enjoy the breathtaking view of Hemu River and Hemu Bridge:

Originated from the snowmelt of the Youyi Mountain, Hemu River flowes through the Hemu Village, and can be seen as the lifeblood of local Tuva people and the surrounding birch forest. The river changes its color according to the weather and the time of the day, from light green to deep blue. It creates a lively and harmonious scene with various fish and birds inhabiting here.

Crossing the Humu River is an ancient wooden bridge, Hemu Bridge, which will lead you to the viewing platform of Hemu Village. It is the great place to marvel at the panoramic view of the village and the surrounding forest and mountains. Having been standing there for over 100 years, the bridge is seen as a symbol connecting with nature and their ancesters by local Tuva people.

Hiking around the Hemu River

The Hemu River carves a serene path through the village, which is flanked by smooth stones and birch trees. You’ll see a flat, easy trail follows its winding course past brooks and shaded groves, leading hikers to explore hidden waterfalls and bird-watching spots.

The scene is heavenly-like. While you can hear air hums with the songs of insects and occasional calls of deer, the scent of pine and damp earth also lingers. For a leisurely break, travelers often go picnics by the riverside, or even join locals who gather under the shade of ancient trees to share stories and savor fresh bread baked in stone ovens.

Skiing, Splashing Ice, and Horse Sleigh Adventures in Winter

When winter wraps Hemu Village in frost, the landscape will transform into a crystal wonderland. There are also beginner-friendly trails await for beginners to have fun. Also try activities like splashing water into ice, feeling magic happening in your hands.

For a surprising transport experience, horse-drawn arba sleighs glide silently across snowy meadows. Pulled by sturdy Tuva horses, these wooden sledges cut through the winter silence, offering front-row seats to frosted forests and frozen waterfalls.

Visit a Tuva Family and Discover Their Nomadic Lifestyle

Staying with a Tuva family is the soul of Hemu Village immersion. Homestays in log cabins will welcome you with hearty meals like khuushuur (meat pies fried in mutton fat), tangy sour milk tea, and crusty bread baked in a tandoor.

Seasonal festivals amplify the experience: while summers provide chances to see shamanic rituals under starlit skies, autumn harvest times erupt in song and dance celebrating the bounty of the land.

Ride a Horse Through Hemu Village’s Untamed Landscapes

Horseback riding is the most authentic way to explore Hemu’s rugged terrain.

Tips: The price may change according to different circumstances.

Best Time to Visit Hemu Village

Interested in the culture and life in Hemu, then try to arrange your Xinjiang tour between June and early October. This is not only an ideal period for Xinjiang travel but also the best time to visit Hemu Village when the scenery is vibrant, the wildlife is popping, and the temperature is comfortable. September is when the village is at its most beautiful as the birch leaves all turn golden or brown, creating a stunning contrast with the blue sky. June to August is when the surrounding grasslands are at their greenest and adorned with wild flowers, but prepare for the large crowds and higher prices at this time since the summer holiday brings peak season for this area. May and October are recommended for those who want to escape the peak season and still can enjoy pleasant weather.

You May Like: 12 Breathtaking Places to Visit in China in Autumn

Attractions nearby Hemu Village

There are several nearby attractions worth visiting, including:

Kanas Lake : a natural wonder that boasts breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife.

Keketuohai National Geopark : home to unique geological formations and diverse wildlife.

How to Get to Hemu Village

By flight and then shuttle bus:

Take a flight from Urumqi Diwopu International Airport to Burqin Kanas Airport at first. The flight will take about an hour and 40 minutes. Then, reach Hemu Village by a 2 hours shuttle bus ride which costs CNY 100.

By long-distance bus：

There are three daily long-distance buses from Urumqi to Burqin County, which will take about 6 hours, and cost about CNY 148-185. Then, you can take another bus from Burqin County to Hemu Village, which takes about three to four hours and costs CNY 50.

Accommodation in Hemu Village

Be prepared that in Hemu Village, you may not be able to find accommodations with facilities as  developed as those in big cities, but they will offer a unique cozy and authentic countryside experience that you cannot find in anywhere else. Indeed, most stays are family-run guesthouses or wooden lodges, often built in traditional Tuva log-cabin style.

Guesthouses & Wooden Cabins (Tuva Countryside Style)

Many of the stays inside Hemu Village are rustic wooden lodges or guesthouses built in the traditional Tuva style, and this special design is created to help people withstand the harsh winters.

Even though rooms here are unlikely to be equipped with highly-developed modern facilities, they will still be cozy, with clean beds, quilts, heating. Some upgraded stays may offer air-conditioning or private bathrooms.

A few boutique lodges (such as Hemu Mountain & Sea Homestay) provide a more refined experience, better services like hearty breakfasts, late-night snacks, and even “bonfire photography activities” would all be assured. However, as these stays perfectly combine comfort with cultural immersion, they will definitely come at higher prices.

Hemu Taoyuan Guesthouse (Boutique Villa Style)

This well-known boutique guesthouse is one of the most popular and best equipped accommodation in the village. You’ll get to live in three-story villas with spacious and bright rooms, some are even with skylight windows perfect for stargazing.

Facilities are more modern than most village lodgings, and you can basically find everything you need here. And services are also thoughtful – some packages even include free transfers from local attractions like ski resorts. It’s definitely ideal for travelers who want both authenticity and comfort.

Hotels in Jiadengyu Town (More Facilities & Comfort)

Jiadengyu, which is about 40 minutes travel from Hemu, is the main gateway to both Hemu and Kanas, so that this town can offer a wider range of hotels from budget stays to 3–4-star resorts. Examples include Huijia Youshan Boutique Hotel and Birch Forest Holiday Hotel.

FAQs about Hemu Village

What does the name “Hemu” mean?

Literally, “Hemu” (禾木) means “grain wood” in Chinese, and this name can be used to refer to the fertile land and abundant forests surrounding the village. It carries people’s wish for harmony between farming, herding, and nature.

Why is Hemu Village considered a “photography paradise”?

The natural wonder existing around Hemu Village is, indeed, unbelievable breathtaking. You can find photography spots like birch forests, rolling hills, and snow-capped mountains. In autumn, the scenery will become even more incredible with the season leaves its golden hue on everything. All of these site have together made it one of China’s most photographed villages.

What are the popular routes to hike or trek in the area?

Popular routes include short hikes to the Hemu Viewing Platform for panoramic views of the village, riverside trails along the Hemu River, and longer treks to Xiaomeili Peak or Meili Feng Small Village. Taking these routes will take you about 1–5 hours while also offering you some chances to see wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.

What is unique about the Tuva people living in Hemu Village?

The Tuva are believed to be descendants of Genghis Khan’s soldiers. Through all the ages till now, they have always stuck to use their endangered Tuva language, live in half-underground log houses adapted to harsh winters, and maintain a nomadic lifestyle of herding and hunting. They have never forgive forgiven about maintaining and passing doen their traditions, and their culture music (horse-head fiddle, mouth harp), and hospitality also make them one of the most distinctive ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

What local foods are typical in Hemu Village?

Tuva cuisine is simple but hearty. Typical foods include khuushuur (fried meat pies), freshly baked naan-like bread, and various lamb or beef stews. These meals are often prepared in stone ovens or open fires,which can been seen as a reflection of the nomadic lifestyle and are best enjoyed with a local family.

Travel with China Xian Tour to Experience Hemu Village

Hemu Village is a treasures place with plenty of natural and cultural gems waiting for you to explore. To truly experience its beauty, traveling with a local tour expert will make your journey far more rewarding.

For more than ten years, China Xian Tour has been helping travelers discover the charm of China’s famous and attractive sites. Our experienced guides share will be available for 24 hours to answer your questions. From smooth transfers to well-designed itineraries, we’ll make sure every detail is carefully arranged so that the only thing you need to do along the journey is creating lasting memories in one of Xinjiang’s most picturesque villages.