Last updated: October 2026 — seasonal opening information, 2026 reservation rules, self-driving options, accommodation guidance and foreign-traveler access notes have been updated, while our original 2019 journey and road experience are preserved.
There are some roads, called “heavenly roads” by travelers. If you see a road map, these roads don’t appear to be different than every other road in the country. Their official names like G318, G219, G314 or N35 have nothing impressive. But the lands that these roads pass through are so incredibly beautiful and full of stunning landscapes so that you want to stop literally every few minutes for photos and enjoyment. That’s what makes them “heavenly”. Let’s travel on one of these “heavenly roads” – the Duku Highway in Xinjiang, China, crossing Tianshan Mountains from south to north.
Table of Contents
Basic facts about Duku Highway
Duku Highway is the road, connecting two cities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, from both the south and north sides of Tianshan. These cities are Dushanzi in the north and Kuqa in the south. From the first characters of their names- Du and Ku, comes the name of this road. Officially, it is numbered as G217, but due to the fantastic landscapes that this road passes, it is popular as “Duku Highway” and this name has become iconic for travelers. There are monument stones on both ends of the road, where you can often see tourist people taking photos and selfies.
Duku Highway length
Official sources currently give the Duku Highway a total length of about 561 km from Dushanzi to Kuqa. During our own 2019 drive, my GPS track measured about 526 km between the points that we personally used as the practical beginning and end of the route. The difference can depend on the exact endpoints and route measurement, so 561 km is the better figure to use for the official highway length. At that time the “original road” has reached the passes with additional curves that contributed to the length. Now the tunnels cut the length and the old sections of the road on the passes are abandoned (but probably still can be used by bikers, which is much better than crossing the dangerous narrow tunnels with a lot of traffic).
Some geography
Duku Highway crosses the two main subranges of Tianshan- Narat and Borohoro passing through three mountain passes, reaching maximal altitude 3460 m in the northern Haxilegen Pass (although the road crosses all the three passes through tunnels) and two main river valleys between them. Along your whole trip on the Duku Highway, you constantly pass through and watch vast grasslands, deep gorges, splendid forests, snowy mountains, and local nomadic culture. No wonder that the road is “declared” as a”heavenly road”!
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A guide of Duku Highway
Let’s focus on the Duku Highway and follow up on its route. No matter which direction you would choose, both can be very exciting. We personally traveled on it from Kuqa (south) to Dushanzi (north), so I will introduce it in this way.
The northern Tarim oasis chain
The Duku Highway starts from the long northern Tarim Basin oasis chain. This area is a strip between Tianshan Mountains in the north and Taklamakan Desert in the south. All you can see there is dry yellowish landscape, mixed with poplar woods, agricultural fields and some settlements (and small industrial zones) around. Two main roads are connecting Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, with Kashgar- an old road, a new highway, and a railroad. And these roads pass through several main cities- Korla, Kuqa, Aksu, to Kashgar. And Kuqa is our starting point.
Kuqa (Kuche, 库车)
Kuqa is one of the main cities in the northern Tarim oasis chain. It has a long history and there are many remains from ancient times. If Kuqa is your Duku Highway starting point, it would be impressive if you first explore the places of interest in the area.
First, you can take a walk around the city itself. The daily life of the local people, the Uyghur culture, all this is worth to explore. And the most beautiful spot in Kuqa is the splendid Kuqa Mansion- a historical palace, built in honor of an Uyghur warlord from the 18th century, who helped the Qing army to suppress a rebellion.
Then, if you have more time and want to explore deeply the area of Kuqa, as your Duku Highway starting point, you can also go outside the city and visit some mysterious ancient sites. They include Subashi Ancient City, Kizil Gaha (an ancient military tower), Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves and a few more.
Kuqa Grand Canyon National Geopark (库车大峡谷国家地质公园)
The road leaves Kuqa and heads on the north. First, it crosses the highway and the railroad between Urumqi and Kashgar. Then on the left side of the road, you can see a lot of restaurants and shops, where you can supply yourself with various things for your trip. And from there, you enter a dry yellowish rocky landscape, belonging to Tianshan’s southern foothills. This is Kuqa Grand Canyon National Geopark- an area with “yardang” type of rocks, formed by the dry winds. And there is also a canyon type of valley with sharped rugged rocks. All this is the first stop worth for photos and enjoying a stunning landscape.
Tianshan Secret Canyon (天山神秘大峡谷) (69th km)
Kuqa Grand Canyon National Geopark is not over yet. Its most essential site is ahead of you. The road crosses a long plain and enters another valley, with green plants along its Kuqa River, and rugged rocky slopes surrounding its bottom. Here the rocks are more reddish. And soon you arrive at the rocks’ most spectacular formation, the Tianshan Secret (Mysterious) Canyon (天山神秘大峡谷), called also Kuqa Grand Canyon.
This canyon is 7,5 km long. It has been hidden in oblivion for many centuries until it was rediscovered by a local herdsman in 1999. When you enter inside, you can really feel like entering another world and time. You walk inside a narrow corridor, penetrating deeper and deeper between the giant red rock walls. Its narrowest part is only 40 cm wide.
It has some history too. There has been discovered a cave with 218 Kizil murals, dating back from the time of the Tang Dynasty. All this is the reason this canyon to be ranked as one of the 10 most beautiful canyons in the world. And indeed, if you ignore the tourist crowds, you can feel like in an alien world inside it. Entrance fee: 50 CNY.
Dalong Lake (大龙池) (136th km)
The road proceeds on Kuqa River’s valley in a northward direction, gradually ascending. Gradually, the landscape starts to change. The green color begins to appear more and more and soon begins to dominate in the landscape. And the mountains also start to rise higher. Then, you can see the first high and gorgeous coniferous trees on the steep slopes.
More and more stunning views start to surround you everywhere. The road starts curving while ascends higher and higher. A beautiful waterfall appeals for stop and taking photos. Finally, you see a small lake on your right side. But the best view appears a little further. This is Dalong Lake.
It is an incredibly beautiful glacial lake, surrounded by alpine peaks, mountain tundra, and gorgeous coniferous forests. It is about 2,5 km long, and there is a panoramic terrace on the road over the lake. From there, you can make a short trek inside the breathtaking scenery in the area, or descend to the lake’s coast and enjoy its beauty there.
Tielimaiti Pass (铁力买提山口) (160th km) and the northern valley
The ascent proceeds. You pass by a mountain resort with a lot of yurts. And then it is time to “attack” the first summit of Tianshan- Tielimaiti Pass, which is the summit of Narat Range. Its altitude is 3545 m, but the road doesn’t reach its highest point. Instead, it crosses it through a tunnel at 3250 m.
However, it doesn’t mean that there are not enough stunning views to see there. The main attraction there is the multiple curves of the road on the slope. And this slope is really breathtaking, as well as all other giant peaks, summits and deep gorges between them around the road.
Bayan Buluk Grassland (巴音布鲁克草原) (261st km)
Now we cross on the other side of Tielimaiti Pass. First, the road descends by curves to a deep mountain valley. Gradually, the slopes of the valley begin to soften, covered by fresh green pastures. Here you can see a lot of sheep flocks, on the alpine meadows, covered with fresh grass and flowers in July-August.
Then, this valley gradually opens wider and wider, until it turns into a vast plain, covered by an endless grassland, and surrounded by far distant snowy mountains. This is Bayan Buluk Grassland, one of the largest and most beautiful grasslands in China. Its average altitude is 2500 m, which makes it quite cool in summer, and bitterly cold in winter.
Kaidu River and Swan Lake
And there is a river, curving, splitting and rejoining on the grassland. This is Kaidu River (开都河), which adds even more beauty to the picturesque landscape. The road passes through a short valley and reaches a small town- Bayan Buluk- a quiet and cold Mongol settlement, surrounded by yurts, pastures, and flocks of livestock.
There, before you enter the town, is the Swan Lake tourist site. It is established on the most beautiful part of Bayan Buluk Grassland, where Kaidu River’s curving branches are also mixed by wetland and many small ponds. Unfortunately, it is difficult for a foreigner to see it unless joining a tour group, or obtain a special permit from Urumqi. Anyway, you still can enjoy this kind of scenery east of the town, although not such large as Swan Lake.
Update, October 2026: The Bayan Buluk Scenic Area, including the Swan Lake tourist attractions, will close for the winter season on October 12, 2026. Tourist services and sightseeing activities will be suspended until the authorities announce the next reopening, expected in spring 2027. This closure is separate from the seasonal closure of the Duku Highway.
Narati Grassland (那拉提草原) (322nd km) and the coniferous forests
East of Bayan Buluk Town, the road proceeds on the grasslands and along Kaidu River. Then it starts gradually descending with many curves on a soft labyrinth of valleys and summits, covered by green pastures and magnificent coniferous forests. You literally want to stop at every curve for photos and enjoy. Finally, the road reaches Gongnaisi River and crosses another road that connects Korla with Yili (road G218). There, on your left side is Narati (or Nalati) Grassland.
This grassland presents a little different kind of scenery than Bayan Buluk. It is situated in the valley of Gongnaisi River, which opens wide in this place. The pastures of the grassland are located on the bottom of the valley and are surrounded by gorgeous mountains, covered by splendid coniferous forests (on the south side slope of the valley).
Its most beautiful part is now turned into a tourist site with entrance fee: 90 CNY in the high season (summer) and 70 CNY in the low season. But even if you don’t want to spend money on it, Duku Highway is still full of similar kinds of scenery. So, go on.
Yuximolegai Pass (玉希莫勒盖山口) (365th km)
From Road G218, Duku Highway leaves Narat Range of Tianshan and enters Borohoro Range, proceeding northward, and again slowly ascending. Yuximolegai Pass is not on the main summit of Borohoro, but on its subbranch, called Yuximolegai Daban. Its altitude is 3415 m, but again, the road passes under it through a tunnel, at 3230 m.
The road first curves on valleys with pastures and coniferous forests, then the forests gradually disappear. In summer, you can see a lot of roadside vendors, selling honey and milk, and no “normal food” for a traveler. But at the pass, right before the tunnel, there are a few yurts with the best-roasted lamb that I have eaten, local yogurt, soup, bread, eggs, and some other delicacies. All this combined with stunning mountain views everywhere.
Tangbula Grassland (唐布拉草原) (401st km)
It is another picturesque grassland. Actually, it is not located on Duku Highway, but some 40 km aside from it, as a detour of the main route.
After Yuximolegai Pass, the road again descends gradually. Soon it enters another area with a stunning mountain mix of pastures and coniferous forests, following a river valley. And finally, it reaches Kax River and Road S315. There it leaves Yuximolegai Daban subrange and enters the main Borohoro massif.
And exactly at the junction of Duku Highway with S315 (called Qiaoerma), you can see a large “Duku Highway Monument”, as well as a local tourist site, related to the history of Duku Highway building, called Qiaoerma Martyr’s Tomb (乔尔玛烈士陵园). It memorizes 168 soldiers, part of the road construction team who died during the building work.
From this point, if you want to make a detour to Tangbula Grassland, you have to turn left, westward, on the Road S315, following Kax River. Soon the valley opens and widens until the picturesque mix of forests and pastures begins covering a large plain. This is Tangbula. It is somehow similar to Narati Grassland, but the forests in Tangbula are spread not just on one side of the slopes, but on the plain itself.
Haxilegen Pass (哈希勒根山口) (425th km)
From here, Duku Highway enters its most alpine section. It “attacks” the main summit of Borohoro Range of Tianshan, ascending with many curves to Haxilegen Pass. This pass has altitude of 3544 m, and the tunnel of the road under it is located on 3460 m altitude, which is the highest point of the road.
The scenery around the pass is really breathtaking. It is a typical alpine landscape, mixed with mountain tundra. Before you enter the tunnel, there is a panoramic terrace, where you can see a strange mountain peak with black rocks. Maybe it is caused by fire, but there is no wood or even grass nearby to burn, so it looks really weird. And when you go out of the tunnel, on its northern side, the road starts a dizzying descent on a deep gorge, surrounded by giant, almost vertical slopes. From here you enter the area of Dushanzi.
Dushanzi (独山子) (526th km)
There is a long descent after Haxilegen Pass, and finally, the road reaches a much “softer” and lower mountain area, at the northern foot of Borohoro Range, before going out to the Dzungarian Plain.
But that’s not all of the places that you can see on Duku Highway. Before you end your trip in Dushanzi, you can make a short detour (follow the road signs) to Dushanzi Grand Canyon (独山子大峡谷). This is gorge with fantastic formations on its slope, made by a strong erosion process.
Finally, Duku Highway ends in Dushanzi. Administratively, Dushanzi is a district of Karamay City, although it lies close to Kuitun. There is nothing special in the urban area. Or maybe the most special point is the monument, marking the end (or the beginning, if you come from the north) of Duku Highway.
Transport on the Duku Highway
All this presentation of Duku Highway probably sounds great, but an important question is HOW to travel on this road, what transport can you use.
Transportation on the Duku Highway is still mainly based on self-driving, hired cars and organized tours. There is no practical through public-bus service that allows travelers to experience the entire route independently. Vehicle restrictions also apply on major sections of the road: passenger vehicles with more than 7 seats and heavier or specialized vehicles are restricted from the core Duku Highway sections. So, you have two options- by private car or minivan, and by bicycle (or motorbike).
Important 2026 update: Since June 25, 2026, the northern section of Duku Highway has operated with an advance reservation system because of major road and railway construction. The controlled section extends for about 185 km between Wusuyi and the G217/G218 junction near Narat. Social vehicles must reserve an entry time in advance through the official Duku Highway reservation platform. The system was introduced as a temporary construction-period measure, so check the latest official road information before traveling.
The present traffic restrictions are partly connected with several major infrastructure projects under construction in the same corridor, including the new G3033 Dushanzi-Kuqa Expressway and the Yining-Aksu railway. These projects are expected to affect traffic management on parts of the old Duku Highway for several years.
Under the 2026 system, normal public traffic on this northern section is generally allowed during the daytime, while nighttime hours are reserved for construction. Entry times and traffic-control arrangements can change, so do not rely on an old fixed timetable.
By car or minivan
This is a good option, but not so simple. Foreign travelers cannot drive in mainland China using only an ordinary foreign driving license or an International Driving Permit. However, short-term foreign visitors can apply for a Chinese Provisional Driving Permit and use it to drive an eligible rented car during its validity. I have, so we rented a car in Urumqi and made a four-day circle route, of which Duku Highway was a part. It was very comfortable, but obviously, most of the foreigners don’t have such a driving document, so the only option for them is to hire a car with a driver.
Hiring a car with a driver
You can hire a driver in Kuqa, who can take you to Dushanzi, then he back with an empty car. However, it would be unreasonably expensive. So, a better solution is to hire a driver in Urumqi, then make a 4-5 days circle route: from Urumqi to Korla, then to Kuqa, and then on the whole Duku Highway to Dushanzi, then finally back to Urumqi (or on opposite direction).
During our 2019 research, private drivers commonly quoted around 1000-1500 CNY per day, often excluding the driver’s food and accommodation. These were 2019 prices and should not be treated as current rates. But if you are a group of 6 people, hiring a 7 seat car, you can share the money, so it would be much cheaper.
How to find a car with a driver? Yes, it is not so easy, but if you stay in Urumqi, you can ask the hotel and they can help you. If you book your hotel by Booking or Agoda, you can ask the property in advance.
Self-driving
Of course, if you have a Chinese driving license, it would be much better. You can rent a car from Urumqi or Korla and make your trip. But it is not such easy. Some rent-a-car companies would refuse to give you a car because you are a foreigner, they are not sure about the travel regulations in Xinjiang, therefore they just prefer to not deal with you. Others may agree to allow you driving but would require a Chinese friend to use his/her ID to register for the car. But there could be still companies who would agree to borrow you their car.
The best rent-a-car company in China is Shenzhou (神州租车), although it may be a bit expensive in the high season. You can visit their website, but since it is supposed that foreigners normally don’t have a Chinese driving license, they haven’t translated their site in English, there is only a Chinese version. Self-driving is therefore possible for some short-term foreign visitors too, provided they obtain the required Chinese driving permit and find a rental company that accepts their documents. In practice, arranging this still requires more preparation than hiring a driver, and current Duku Highway reservation and access rules must also be followed.
By bicycle or motorbike
It would be an exciting adventure, but quite long because again, Duku Highway has to be a part of a longer round route. Since the road has a lot of ascends to pass, you need at least 5 days to accomplish it by bicycle. And at least 12-15 more days to make a full circle from the place that you rent a bike (Urumqi or Korla), to the same place again. This is a small version of the same one-way private-transport problem: the road can be crossed from one end to the other, but the bicycle, motorbike or car still has to return to its starting base, continue forward, be stored, or be moved in another way.
You can find bicycles for rent in some bike shops, usually near the large parks in Urumqi and Korla. During our original research, basic bicycle rentals could sometimes be found for around 30-50 CNY per day with a deposit. These were old local prices; anyone planning a cycling trip today should arrange the bike and one-way logistics in advance rather than relying on finding a suitable rental near a city park.
You can travel hypothetically on Duku Highway by motorbike (if someone rides you because it again requires a Chinese driving license), or even on foot. It is allowed for foreigners.
By tour company
It is the least adventurous option. You can ask your hotel for a tour on Duku Highway and they would give you some options. A local tour company can arrange transport and help confirm the current access requirements for Bayan Buluk and other places along the route. Do not assume that an old permit procedure still applies, because local rules can change. Since you can’t travel by bus, they use vans for their tours. This option is easiest but maybe a bit expensive.
In general, the best starting point for travel on Duku Highway is Urumqi. Then, if you make a round trip that incudes Duku Highway, you can choose the direction as you wish.
Roadside services have also improved since our trip. In 2026, service areas on the northern section include upgraded toilets, shops and EV charging facilities, although services remain uneven and travelers should still refuel or recharge well before entering the mountain sections.
Check your transport to Urumqi!
Accommodation
Accommodation along the Duku Highway requires some advance planning, especially in the middle mountain section. Kuqa and Dushanzi have normal hotel options, while Bayan Buluk and other smaller settlements have a more seasonal accommodation market.
During our 2019 trip, local hotels in Bayan Buluk would not accept us as foreign guests, and we were told that independent foreign travelers could not stay overnight there. This was our real experience at that time, but it should not be presented as a permanent rule. Chinese authorities have since clarified nationwide that hotels should not refuse foreign guests simply because they lack a special “foreign-related” qualification.
Check current booking availability and local access conditions before arriving. Do not rely on roadside yurts, camping or sleeping in a car as a workaround for accommodation rules. If you stay outside a hotel, China’s accommodation-registration requirements still apply, and from September 21, 2026, eligible non-hotel registration can be completed online through the National Immigration Administration system.
Check your accommodation Urumqi!
More about the travel regulations
During our 2019 journey, we encountered specific restrictions in Bayan Buluk: we were allowed to pass through the area, but we were not allowed to visit Swan Lake independently or stay overnight in the town without additional authorization. This section describes that 2019 experience. I have not found a current authoritative public rule confirming that the whole Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture remains restricted to foreign travelers in the same way today. Foreign visitors should therefore verify the current rules specifically for Bayan Buluk, accommodation and individual tourist sites rather than assuming that the 2019 procedure still applies.
Our 2019 experience: When we arrived in Bayan Buluk, we wanted to visit Swan Lake, but they told us that we have to buy tickets from the tourist center, at the eastern end of the town. We went there, but the local officer first asked me whether I have a travel permit from Urumqi. I said “no”, then he said: “Sorry, you can’t visit Swan Lake, and also you must leave Bayan Buluk within 30 mins, otherwise I am obligated to call the police and they would take you to the police station and ask you many questions.” He was very polite and apologetic, stating that “he didn’t create these rules, but no way, this is his job.”
Checking points
On the other hand, it is unlikely that a policeman would stop you on the road and requires you to leave or back. During our 2019 trip, we encountered several police checking points along the route (not counting the checking stations on the exits of Dushanzi and Kuqa), one before Bayan Buluk (if you come from Kuqa), and one at Narati Grassland. In the opposite direction, there is one station at Qiaoerma junction, and the other is after Bayan Buluk. When we traveled by car (and I drove it), although the policemen saw me, nobody stopped us.
Duku Highway closures
Duku Highway crosses an incredibly beautiful area, which however has harsh conditions. Most of the road travels above 2000 m altitude. The full Duku Highway is seasonal and normally closes for several months because of snow, ice, avalanche risk and other high-mountain hazards. The exact opening and closing dates change every year according to conditions. In 2026, the full route reopened on June 1. A winter road closure should be treated as a safety closure, not as an invitation to continue on foot or horseback. Check the local restrictions before attempting any winter route. And in winter, the temperature regularly drops below -30 C.
As of early October 2026, official holiday travel guidance still lists Duku Highway as operating, but warns that weather can cause traffic control at any time. Always check the live road status immediately before entering the route.
Only some sections of Duku Highway are opened in winter- the section close to Kuqa, the section close to Dushanzi, and the area around Bayan Buluk town (people are living there, they still have to have access to the world, but via by Duku Highway).
Even in summer, the weather is very unstable in the high parts of Duku Highway, around the three mountain passes. When we made our trip, we passed the whole route for 2 days and the weather was sunny, except for the areas above 2900-3000 m altitude. There was heavy rain, sometimes even with thunders and flashes of lightning. And in Haxilegen there was even rain mixed with snow.
Mudslides
When we traveled on Duku Highway, this caused a mudslide, north of Tielimaiti Pass, which damaged the road. So we had to stop (together with many other travelers) and wait until the workers with their machines come and repair the road (which they did it for 6-7 hours). They finished after midnight, then we proceeded our trip. But actually, we used the situation to just spend the night in the car and not thinking about how to find a hotel.
All this makes Duku Highway not just a place with stunning landscapes and incredibly beautiful scenery, but also a place for adventures. Just like a saying says- the travel attractions are not just some tourist sites, but the whole road. And Duku Highway perfectly fits this saying, being deservedly named “Heavenly Road”.
Get some video impression of the Duku Highway:
Take a look at some travel books about Xinjiang!
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Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!
Krasen and Ying Ying
Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually. So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration. And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality. Enjoy!
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