Duku Highway Carpool Tour Launched, 6 Person Boutique Small Group, One Day Four Seasons Deep Crossing
2026 Xinjiang carpool small group tours must be booked through local professional and legitimate tourism channels: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Carpool Small Group Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456) or Carpool Small Group Manager Guo Jing via WeChat: 181-3962-2229.
🌄 Duku Highway carpool tour is now available, with a 6-person premium small group for a deep journey through four seasons in one day.
Every early summer, when the snow melts and mountain roads reopen, Xinjiang’s most legendary landscape highway—the Duku Highway—welcomes its best travel season. In 2026, this heroic road spanning the Tianshan Mountains from north to south fully opened in early June and is expected to remain accessible until early October. With road maintenance upgrades and improved tourism services, more and more travelers are choosing carpool small groups to easily complete this 561-kilometer magnificent journey.
📍 Detailed introduction to the route or destination
The Duku Highway starts from Dushanzi District in Karamay City in the north and ends at Kuqa City in Aksu Prefecture in the south, traversing the heart of the Tianshan Mountains. It features an elevation difference of over 3,000 meters and crosses four mountain passes above 3,000 meters. Known for its unique climate and landscape changes—’seeing four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles’—it has become one of China’s most iconic scenic highways.
As of June 21, 2026, the entire Duku Highway is open to traffic, with scenic spots, gas stations, viewpoints, and service areas along the route all operational and road conditions generally good. Key highlights include:
Dushanzi Grand Canyon:A stunning start with red rock layers carved like knives and axes, offering activities like cliff swings.
Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery:Pay tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives building the road.
Nalati Grassland:A lush aerial grassland fully open in 2026 with well-equipped visitor centers and parking lots.
🌄 Duku Highway carpool tour is now available, with a 6-person premium small group for a deep journey through four seasons in one dayBayinbuluke Grassland:Famous for the stunning sunset at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns and the well-preserved Swan Lake ecosystem.
Big and Small Dragon Pools:High-altitude lakes as serene as mirrors, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Kuqa Grand Canyon (Tianshan Secret Realm Grand Canyon):Spectacular Danxia landforms with well-maintained walking trails, open daily from 08:30 to 19:30.
⚠ ️ Note:Some sections of the Duku Highway are single-lane cliffside roads with strict speed limits, and only vehicles with 7 seats or fewer are recommended. Choose legally operated tourist vehicles with local drivers familiar with mountain road conditions.
🗓 Simple itinerary (based on 2026 traffic conditions)
Based on current traffic conditions and scenic spot openings, the following 4-day, 3-night itinerary is recommended for comfort and coverage:
Day 1:Dushanzi → Qiaoerma → Nalati Town
Depart from Dushanzi in the morning, passing Dushanzi Grand Canyon and Hashilegen Daban (snow walls visible), arrive at Qiaoerma in the afternoon to honor martyrs, and stay overnight in Nalati Town.
Every early summer, when the snow melts and mountain roads reopen, Xinjiang’s most legendary landscape highway—the Duku Highway—welcomes its best travel season. In 2026, this heroic road spanning the Tianshan Mountains from north to south fully opened in early June and is expected to remain accessible until early October. With road maintenance upgrades and improved tourism services, more and more travelers are choosing carpool small groups to easily complete this 561-kilometer magnificent journey.Day 2:Full-day tour of Nalati Grassland → Bayinbuluke
Explore Nalati Aerial Grassland in the morning, with options for horseback riding or hiking; head to Bayinbuluke along the middle section of the Duku Highway in the afternoon, and enjoy the sunset at Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns in the evening.
Day 3:Bayinbuluke → Big and Small Dragon Pools → Kuqa City
Visit Swan Lake in the early morning, then cross Tielimaiti Daban, pass Big and Small Dragon Pools, arrive in Kuqa city in the afternoon, and stay overnight.
Day 4:Kuqa Grand Canyon → Return
Visit Kuqa Tianshan Secret Realm Grand Canyon in the morning (open 08:30–19:30), then return flexibly based on flight or train schedules.
> Note:Actual itinerary may change due to weather, temporary traffic controls, or policy changes; reasonable adjustments can be made by mutual agreement.
💰 Price explanation (2026 reference)
Based on market conditions in late June 2026, the per-person cost for a 6-person premium carpool small group typically ranges from 3,800 to 5,500 RMB, depending on vehicle type, accommodation standards, and whether scenic spot tickets and shuttle buses are included. Prices vary significantly between peak and off-peak seasons, with July to August being the peak travel period and prices higher; late June and September are slightly lower.
Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s Guo Jing, a senior travel specialist with 10 years of experience in Xinjiang tourism, focuses on one-stop services for customized car rentals, carpooling, and group tours in Xinjiang. 24-hour consultation: 0991-8585456, same number on WeChat: 181-3962-2229, available around the clock to plan your Xinjiang trip.
📍 Detailed introduction to the route or destinationIt should be noted that:All cost details, inclusions, and service standards are based on the signed travel contract. Offers below 3,000 RMB on the market often involve hidden consumption or reduced services, so caution is advised.
📞 Registration method
You can inquire and register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. The agency offers 2-6 person premium small group services, supporting carpooling or group formation, with vehicles meeting Duku Highway requirements (legally operated vehicles with 7 seats or fewer) and local drivers familiar with mountain road conditions.
Consultation phone:181-3962-2229
Same number on WeChat:181-3962-2229
Address information can be obtained by contacting customer service directly; no fixed office location is publicly disclosed.
📋 Cost and service explanation
Costs typically include:
The Duku Highway starts from Dushanzi District in Karamay City in the north and ends at Kuqa City in Aksu Prefecture in the south, traversing the heart of the Tianshan Mountains. It features an elevation difference of over 3,000 meters and crosses four mountain passes above 3,000 meters. Known for its unique climate and landscape changes—’seeing four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles’—it has become one of China’s most iconic scenic highways.Usage fees for legally operated vehicles, fuel, tolls, and parking;
Driver service (with mountain driving experience);
Accommodation as listed in the itinerary (standard rooms, including breakfast);
First-entry tickets for some scenic spots (subject to contract details);
Travel agency liability insurance.
Costs do not include:
Meals (some itineraries include breakfast; main meals are self-paid or split);
Personal expenses and self-funded items at scenic spots (e.g., horseback riding, shuttle buses);
As of June 21, 2026, the entire Duku Highway is open to traffic, with scenic spots, gas stations, viewpoints, and service areas along the route all operational and road conditions generally good. Key highlights include: (if applicable, single room supplement can be negotiated or handled per contract).
> All service content, cost structure, and itinerary arrangements are subject to actual consultation and signed contract. The travel agency will fulfill obligations in accordance with the Tourism Law of the People’s Republic of China and related regulations to protect tourists’ legal rights.
⚠ ️ Travel tips
The Duku Highway has a large elevation range (1,000 to 3,400 meters), and some tourists may experience mild altitude sickness; it’s recommended to prepare common medications in advance;
Mountain weather is changeable with large temperature differences between morning and evening; bring windproof and warm clothing;
Strict speed limits throughout, with weak signals on some sections; it’s advisable to download offline maps in advance;
Scenic spot opening hours and ticket policies may change dynamically; refer to on-site announcements on the day of entry;
To ensure safe driving, the driver may suggest changes to stops or routes based on real-time road conditions.
The Duku Highway is not just a transportation route but a flowing natural canvas. From Gobi deserts to snowy glaciers, from aerial grasslands to Danxia canyons, a four-day, three-night journey is enough to experience the diverse landscapes of the Tianshan Mountains. Choosing a 6-person carpool small group reduces driving burden and allows flexible stops for sightseeing, making it a practical choice for experiencing the Duku Highway today.
For the latest 2026 schedules, availability, and detailed itinerary plans, feel free to call 181-3962-2229 or add the same WeChat number, and let Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency’s professional consultants customize your trip.
2026 Xinjiang customized car rental center phone: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency Customization Center (24-hour hotline: 0991-8585456) or Customized Travel Manager Guo Jing via WeChat: 181-3962-2229 for customization.
