Snow and rain prompt temporary road closures in Xinjiang's Kanas scenic area
In short
Traffic police imposed temporary traffic control on four road sections in Xinjiang's Kanas scenic area from 22:00 on Oct 5, 2026, after rain and snow left the roads slippery and impassable. The affected sections include parts of the G681 Ahe highway, S232, X852 and the Tiejia highway. Drivers were told to check conditions, switch to snow tyres and carry anti-skid chains; no time has been given for lifting the control.
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Traffic police in China's Xinjiang region imposed temporary traffic control on four road sections in the Kanas scenic area from 22:00 on Oct 5, 2026, after rain and snow left the roads slippery and without conditions for passage. The notices were published by the business outlet Jiemian and the official China News Service. [ 1 , 2 ]
The controlled sections are G681 kilometres 168 to 208, the stretch managed by the Kanas scenic area; S232 kilometres 31 to 72, between Jiadengyu and the Kanas police checkpoint; X852 kilometres 8 to 49.8, between Hemu village and the Hemu junction; and the Tiejia highway kilometres 30 to 54, from the 30-kilometre mark to the Tiejia junction. The reports also described the affected lines as X852 between the Hemu junction and Hemu township, S232 between Shitoufangzi and Kanas, the Tiejia highway between Jiadengyu and Tereketi township, and the G681 Ahe highway. [ 1 , 2 ]
The control was imposed jointly by the traffic management brigade of the Kanas scenic area public security sub-bureau and the traffic police brigades of Altay city, Burqin county and Habahe county, according to both documents. [ 1 , 2 ]
Authorities advised drivers to follow weather and road conditions in Kanas, arrange travel times sensibly, check their vehicles in advance, switch to snow tyres, carry anti-skid chains and take cold-weather precautions. Both documents said the time for lifting the temporary control will be announced officially and gave no reopening date. Jiemian attributed the information to CCTV News, while China News Service published the same details. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The control cuts road access to and around the Kanas scenic area, so drivers and visitors already in the area face changed routes and delays while conditions remain poor. Because the notice says the lifting time will be announced later, travellers cannot plan a reopening yet. The measure is a precaution by four local traffic police brigades rather than a response to a reported accident.
Key facts
- Temporary traffic control took effect on four road sections in the Kanas scenic area from 22:00 on Oct 5, 2026. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The notice said rain and snow had made the roads slippery and left them without conditions for passage. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The controlled sections are G681 kilometres 168 to 208, S232 kilometres 31 to 72, X852 kilometres 8 to 49.8 and the Tiejia highway kilometres 30 to 54. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The control was imposed jointly by the traffic management brigade of the Kanas scenic area public security sub-bureau and the traffic police brigades of Altay city, Burqin county and Habahe county. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Drivers were advised to follow weather and road conditions, plan travel times, check vehicles in advance, switch to snow tyres and carry anti-skid chains. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The time for lifting the temporary control will be announced officially, and neither report gave a reopening date. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Rain and snow left roads in the Kanas scenic area slippery and impassable, prompting temporary traffic control. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The control began at 22:00 on Oct 5, 2026 and covers four listed road sections. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Four traffic police units — from the Kanas scenic area, Altay city, Burqin county and Habahe county — jointly imposed the control. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Officials said the lifting time would be announced later. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- When the temporary control will be lifted. Both documents say only that the lifting time awaits an official announcement and give no date.
- Whether any vehicles were stranded, any accidents occurred or how many travellers were affected. Neither document mentions incidents, casualties or traffic volumes.
- Whether the closure was later extended, shortened or expanded to other roads. The documents describe a single notice and no later updates.