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A 20-year-old university student has been missing for more than two weeks after setting out alone on a hiking route in the Kanas scenic area of Altay Prefecture, northern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. His family has offered a reward of 1 million yuan (approximately $140,000) for his safe return, as search efforts have been hampered by snowfall in the mountainous region.

The Missing Student

The student, identified as Wang Sheng, is a junior at Shihezi University in Xinjiang. He is 20 years old. According to his mother, he left campus on September 22, 2026, and checked out of his accommodation in Kanas on September 23, planning to hike alone from the Kanas Lake scenic area to Hemu Village. The two spoke on September 23, and he showed no signs of anything unusual—they had even discussed what car the family should buy next.

Three days later, his father, Wang Hongbin, was unable to reach him and reported the situation to the university and scenic area authorities, requesting help.

Search and Rescue Efforts

Police and local authorities launched an initial search. From September 28 onward, the family spent over 300,000 yuan of their own funds and hired local herders on horseback to conduct a grid-style search across the rugged terrain. The family has also publicly offered a reward of 1 million yuan for anyone who finds Wang Sheng alive, and 100,000 yuan for information leading to his location. They have stated that even if only his body is recovered, they will pay 200,000 yuan.

As of October 6, the only trace found was Wang Sheng's backpack and trekking pole, discovered approximately 20 kilometers from the scenic area. Police have ruled out an animal attack, and the student's mother noted that the terrain in the area is barren, with "not even a single tree" and no other visible tracks.

Worsening Conditions

The search has been further complicated by deteriorating weather. Snowfall has blanketed the Kanas mountainous area, and rain and snow on the night of October 5 led to temporary traffic controls on several local roads. Scenic area staff confirmed that there had been no new developments or findings in the search.

Wang Sheng's mother has since traveled to her son's university. In an interview, she said she was "in great sorrow" and that the situation was not convenient to discuss further at that time.

A Known Risk

The Kanas scenic area had issued a notice as early as April 2026 reminding visitors that local weather is highly changeable and the terrain complex, and that unauthorized hiking through undeveloped routes is prohibited without prior approval and registration. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks of solo hiking in remote, unregulated wilderness areas with limited signal coverage and rapidly shifting weather conditions.