Reaching the Altay ski region from outside Xinjiang: fly direct or via Urumqi to AAT, Kanas or Fuyun Koktokay, then plan the road transfer, weather, driving rules and visas.
The Altay prefecture in northern Xinjiang is one of the few places in China where the ski season can run for more than five months, but it is also one of the hardest to reach. The region has three airports spread across a very large prefecture, none of them at a ski lift. From most countries you will connect through another Chinese city, usually Urumqi or Beijing, then take a smaller flight into the mountains.
Many travellers route through Urumqi Tianshan International Airport (URC), which is well connected to the rest of China and has the widest choice of onward flights. From Urumqi you have two options for the mountains: a short flight into AAT, KJI or FYN, or the long overland journey. Altay city is roughly 450 km from Urumqi in a straight line, and considerably further by road, so flying is the practical choice for most visitors.
A themed train service between Urumqi and Altay began running around January 2026, which can be useful if you cannot get a same-day flight connection; check 12306 for the current timetable and seat types. Altay Xuedu (AAT) also has direct flights from Beijing and several other cities, depending on the season, so check whether you can skip Urumqi altogether.
| Airport | IATA code | What it serves | Road transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altay Xuedu | AAT | Altay city and Jiangjunshan; also used for Hemu and Koktokay | Short drive to Jiangjunshan; about 3.5 h to Koktokay; 3-4 h to Hemu |
| Kanas | KJI | Jikepulin Hemu | 82 km to Jikepulin; allow 3-4 h in winter |
| Fuyun Koktokay | FYN | Koktokay International | About 1.5 h |
| Urumqi Tianshan | URC | Whole region, onward connections | Several hundred km; fly onward |
Altay Xuedu sits close to Altay city and has the widest route map of the three, which is why many visitors land there even for Hemu. Kanas is closer to Hemu in kilometres, but winter roads in the mountains are slow, so the time saving is smaller than the distance suggests. All three airports can be affected by snow and fog in winter.
We did not find verified flight times for these routes, so search Trip.com or the airline's own site for current schedules, and leave slack in your plans for a weather delay.
Once you land, expect a real road journey. The Ahe Highway (G681) connects Altay city to Hemu village. It is 209 km long, opened on 30 June 2025, takes about three to three and a half hours without stops, and its high point reaches nearly 3,000 m above sea level. Do not drive it at night: the road has sharp curves and long sections without mobile signal.
Private cars are not allowed into Hemu village. You park at the scenic-area ticket station and transfer to the scenic-area bus. In winter 2025-26 the bus ran on timed reservations, and free luggage storage points operated at Jiadengyu, Kanas and Hemu.
For Koktokay, the drive from Fuyun Koktokay Airport to Koktokay town takes about 1.5 hours, and an 18 km shuttle runs from town to the slopes. The road is straightforward in clear weather but icy in places, and four-wheel drive is the sensible choice in midwinter. From Altay Xuedu, allow about 3.5 hours by road to Koktokay.
A note on driving yourself: China does not recognise foreign driving licences or International Driving Permits. To drive you need a Chinese licence (or a temporary Chinese driving permit where one is available to you). For most visitors, a private transfer with a local driver is the simpler and safer option.
Snow can close mountain sections of the Ahe Highway and the road to Koktokay for hours at a time after a storm. Resorts and local authorities post closure notices on their official channels; ask your hotel or driver the night before a transfer.
Avalanche closures are enforced. On 5 January 2026 the prefecture closed the whole of Jikepulin's Lingyun Valley and two off-piste areas at Koktokay, and entering closed terrain is punishable. Avalanche forecasting in China is less developed than in the Alps or Japan, so stay on open, marked terrain unless you are with a qualified local guide and carry a transceiver, shovel and probe.
The cold matters more here than at other Chinese ski areas. Altay city's January average low is -20.9°C (1991-2020 normals). Whoever is driving should carry warm clothing, water and snacks, and keep the fuel tank well topped up, since services are sparse in the mountains.
Koktokay has one of the longest seasons in China. It ran a 199-day season in 2025-26, opening on 12 October 2025 and closing on 28 April 2026. Jikepulin at Hemu opened on 10 November 2025. For the new winter, snowmaking started at Koktokay on 7 October 2026 and at Jikepulin on 9 October 2026, but neither had published an opening date by mid-October. Our opening dates page collects the same information for the rest of the country.
The local school snow holiday runs from 16 to 18 December 2026, which with the weekend makes five days, and it brings large numbers of local skiers to the resorts. Avoid those dates if you want quiet slopes.
With the transfers, a week in Altay lets you ski two resorts without rushing: for example four days at Koktokay and three at Hemu, with a stop in Altay city to ski Jiangjunshan and break the journey. If you want to add a resort near Urumqi such as Silk Road, plan ten days or more. With less than five days you will spend much of the trip in vehicles.
For first-timers, a few days in Altay city skiing Jiangjunshan is a much easier start than committing to the long drive to Hemu. See our Altay region guide and the where to stay in Altay page for the bases in detail.
Xinjiang is outside the 240-hour visa-free transit scheme. Many passports can use 30-day visa-free entry, valid until 31 December 2026 unless renewed; otherwise you need a tourist visa. Carry your passport everywhere: identity checks at hotels, scenic-area gates and airports are routine, and hotels register foreign guests with your passport. Full rules are on our China travel essentials page.