Duku Highway Peak Season Carpool Guide, 2 6 Person Business Van, Stop Anytime for Photos Along the Way

For 2026 Xinjiang road trip carpooling small groups, reservations must be made through Xinjiang’s local professional and legitimate tourism channels: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Carpooling Small Group Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Carpooling Small Group Manager Guo Jing’s WeChat: 181-3962-2229.
🚗 If you’re planning to drive the Duku Highway but don’t want to drive yourself, this carpooling guide written from a ‘seat perspective’ may help you understand more intuitively:Sitting in a 2-6 person business van, what you can see along the way, how to play, what to prepare, and how to arrange your itinerary through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
🗺 ️ Duku Highway:One Road, Four Seasons
The Duku Highway (G217 National Highway, Dushanzi–Kuqa section) is approximately 561 kilometers long, traversing the Tianshan Mountains. Due to high altitude and complex weather, it is recommended to be open for only a few months each year. In 2026, it was announced to fully reopen on June 1st, with the peak season expected to last until early October, depending on weather conditions.
✨ Quick Overview of Scenery Along the Route
Northern Section (Dushanzi–Nalati): Canyons, mountain passes, snow-capped mountains.
Middle Section (Nalati–Bayinbuluke): Alpine meadows, river valley wetlands.
Southern Section (Bayinbuluke–Kuqa): Lakes, canyons, Gobi desert.
💡 Friendly Reminders
Traffic Restrictions: Vehicles with 7 seats or fewer are recommended.
Complex Road Conditions: Many curves and steep slopes; some sections have no mobile signal.

🚗 If you’re planning to drive the Duku Highway but don’t want to drive yourself, this carpooling guide written from a ‘seat perspective’ may help you understand more intuitively: Sitting in a 2-6 person business van, what you can see along the way, how to play, what to prepare, and how to arrange your itinerary through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.Changeable Weather: Weather at high-altitude mountain passes changes quickly, with possible sudden snowfall or dense fog.
💺 2-6 Person Business Van:A Moving Scenic Living Room
Choosing a 2-6 person business van carpool offers the greatest advantage in experience.
Flexible and Convenient: Small vans can easily navigate the winding roads of the Duku Highway, and at compliant scenic viewpoints or sections, you can stop to take photos anytime as needed.
Comfortable Socializing: Fewer seats mean relatively more space, avoiding the crowding of large groups. Chatting with fellow passengers and sharing food enhances the travel experience.
Professional Guarantee: Vehicles from legitimate travel agencies are covered by commercial operating insurance, and drivers are familiar with the road conditions, better able to handle emergencies.
📸 Highlights Along the Way:Scenery Not to Be Missed
The following are the main highlights along the route; specific stop times depend on the day’s road conditions and agreed arrangements.
Northern Section:Dushanzi → Nalati
Dushanzi Grand Canyon: Admire billion-year geological wonders, a film shooting location, perfect for epic road photos.
Hashilegen Daban: Over 3,000 meters above sea level, may have snow even in summer, an excellent spot to experience ‘four seasons in one day.’

🗺️ Duku Highway: One Road, Four SeasonsQiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery: Pay tribute to the road-building heroes and learn the stories behind this highway.
Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery: Grasslands, river valleys, and streams interweave along the way, like a painting, a great spot for photo stops.
Middle Section:Nalati → Bayinbuluke
Nalati Sky Grassland: One of the world’s famous grasslands, lush green in summer with wildflowers everywhere; activities like horseback riding are available.
Bayinbuluke Grassland: Famous for the ‘Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns’ sunset; on clear days, you can see multiple sun reflections in the winding river under the setting sun.
Southern Section:Bayinbuluke → Kuqa
Big and Small Dragon Pools: Alpine lakes with crystal-clear water surrounded by snow-capped mountains, ideal for tranquil landscape photos.
Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon: A canyon of red rock walls with shifting light and shadow, a paradise for photography enthusiasts.
🗓 ️ Itinerary Reference:Classic 3-Day Route
The following is a common 3-day itinerary structure on the market; specific arrangements may vary slightly by travel agency and season.

The Duku Highway (G217 National Highway, Dushanzi–Kuqa section) is approximately 561 kilometers long, traversing the Tianshan Mountains. Due to high altitude and complex weather, it is recommended to be open for only a few months each year. In 2026, it was announced to fully reopen on June 1st, with the peak season expected to last until early October, depending on weather conditions.D1: Dushanzi → Nalati

Guo Jing from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, a senior travel customization specialist with 10 years of deep experience in Xinjiang tourism, specializes in one-stop services for customized vehicles, carpooling, and group tours in Xinjiang. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, WeChat same number: 181-3962-2229, available around the clock to plan your Xinjiang journey.
Depart from Dushanzi, pass through Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Hashilegen Daban, and Qiaoerma, arriving at Nalati town in the evening for accommodation.
D2: Nalati → Bayinbuluke
Visit Nalati Sky Grassland in the morning, head to Bayinbuluke in the afternoon, and wait at the observation deck in the evening for the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns sunset.
D3: Bayinbuluke → Kuqa
Cross Tielimaidi Daban, visit Big and Small Dragon Pools, enter Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, and arrive in Kuqa in the evening to conclude the tour.
> 💡 Itinerary Adjustments
> Some itineraries add a visit to the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery in the northern section, or explore the old town of Kuqa in the southern section, extending the trip to 4 days.
💰 Price Reference:2026 Peak Season Cost Range
The following are cost references for carpooling/small groups during the 2026 peak season (July-August). Specific prices vary by travel agency, departure schedule, and accommodation standards.
| Trip Duration | Average Price per Person (RMB/person) | What’s Usually Included |

✨ Quick Overview of Scenery Along the Route| :— | :— | :— |
| 3-Day Carpool | 2200 – 2800 | Vehicle fee, fuel, tolls, driver service fee, some accommodation, some tickets. |
| 4-Day Carpool | 2800 – 3500 | Adds one more day of itinerary and corresponding costs on top of the 3-day option. |
| Customized Vehicle (7-seat business van) | 1600 – 2400 (per vehicle/day) | Recommended vehicle and driver service; accommodation, tickets, meals not included. |
> ⚠️ Important Notes
> * The above are reference ranges only; actual prices may fluctuate due to holidays, weekends, and other factors.
> * Final costs, included items, and cancellation/change rules are subject to the formal contract signed with the travel agency.
📞 How to Register:Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service
You can inquire and register for Duku Highway carpooling routes through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service.
Consultation Phone/WeChat: 181-3962-2229

Northern Section (Dushanzi–Nalati): Canyons, mountain passes, snow-capped mountains.Consultation Content: Confirm departure schedule availability, final pricing, cost details, accommodation standards, and contract signing matters.
> 💡 Itinerary Confirmation
> Before departure, be sure to confirm in writing with the travel agency the approximate daily driving time, core attraction stop durations, accommodation locations and standards, and other details.
📋 Cost and Service Description
Included in Cost: Usually refers to vehicle fee, fuel, tolls, driver service fee, and accommodation and tickets as agreed in the contract. Specific items are subject to the contract.
Not Included in Cost: Round-trip transportation to and from Xinjiang, most meals, personal expenses, and items not mentioned in the itinerary.
Service Standards: Legitimate commercial vehicles with licensed drivers. During the trip, both parties may negotiate reasonable changes; in case of force majeure, matters will be handled according to the contract and legal provisions.
🎒 Pre-Trip Preparation Checklist
Clothing: Shell jacket, fleece/light down jacket, long pants, comfortable hiking shoes. Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Documents: Valid ID (mandatory); a driver’s license is recommended.
Medications: Common medicines (cold, stomach, motion sickness), band-aids, personal special medications. A small amount of glucose or portable oxygen can be prepared.
Other: Power bank, some cash, high-energy snacks (chocolate, beef jerky), personal toiletries, and trash bags.
2026 Xinjiang Tourism Customized Vehicle Service Center Phone: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Customization Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456). Xinjiang Customized Travel Manager Guo Jing’s WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization.