Duku Highway Charter Tour Flexible Travel Check In Xinjiang Niche Internet Celebrity Scenery
Xinjiang tourism customized car rental for comfortable travel, regular fleet with customizable itineraries. Consultation hotline landline: 0991-8866234. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, customized consultation Manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (Add as friend for detailed consultation on Xinjiang travel routes and prices).
🚗 Want to see snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, and lakes all at once along one road, with the freedom to stop for photos and avoid crowds? Then the customized car rental experience on the Duku Highway is perfect for you.
This guide, from the perspective of ‘customized routes + flexible visits to lesser-known spots,’ will give you a detailed understanding of the Duku Highway and provide a reference itinerary.
🗺 ️ Duku Highway:See Four Seasons on One Road
The Duku Highway, i.e., the Dushanzi to Kuqa section of National Highway G217, is about 561 kilometers long, traversing the Tianshan Mountains and connecting northern and southern Xinjiang. It is hailed as ‘a monument in China’s road construction history,’ featuring diverse landscapes like snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, and lakes, with the saying ‘Walk through four seasons in one day, with different weather every ten miles.’
📅 Opening Hours
Seasonal opening: Recommended to open for a few months each year, typically from late May to early October, depending on weather and snow clearing. For example, in 2025, it opens around May 31. Before traveling, confirm the opening time for the year through channels like ‘Xinjiang Road Network’ or ‘Xinjiang Transportation.’
Winter Closure:From late September to around May of the following year, due to mountain snowfall, winter traffic controls are in place, making it impassable.
⚠ ️ Travel Restrictions
Vehicle Restrictions:Recommended for passenger cars with 7 seats or fewer. Vehicles like RVs, trailers, vehicles over 5 meters, and motorcycles are restricted.
Complex Road Conditions:The route crosses four passes over 3,000 meters above sea level, with many sharp turns and steep slopes, and some sections have no mobile signal. Electric vehicles can pass, with charging stations along the way, such as at Dushanzi Zero Kilometer, Nalati Service Area, Bayanbulak Self-Drive Camp, and Kuqa.
🚗 Want to see snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, and lakes all at once along one road, with the freedom to stop for photos and avoid crowds? Then the customized car rental experience on the Duku Highway is perfect for you.🏞 ️ Highlights Along the Way
Northern Section (Dushanzi—Nalati):Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery, Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery.
Middle Section (Nalati—Bayanbulak):Nalati Sky Grassland, Bayanbulak Grassland and the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns sunset.
Southern Section (Bayanbulak—Kuqa):Big and Small Dragon Pools, Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon.
💡 Lesser-Known Spots
Northern Section:Undeveloped pass near Hashilegen Daban, entrance to Mengkete Ancient Trail on Tangbula Grassland, Little Moon Bay, Zelda Legend (Tianshan Stone Forest).
Middle Section:Remote uninhabited meadows deep in Bayanbulak Grassland, Alemale Village on the edge of Nalati Grassland.
Southern Section:Sunset at Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, hidden lakeside path near Kuqa Big and Small Dragon Pools, U-shaped Lunke Highway (Yanshuigou Section), Red Mountain Stone Forest.
🗓 ️ Reference Itinerary:6 Days 5 Nights Flexible Lesser-Known Route
This is a 6-day, 5-night reference itinerary starting and ending in Urumqi, focusing on experiencing the Duku Highway and flexibly visiting lesser-known attractions. You can adjust it with the travel agency based on your time and interests.
This guide, from the perspective of ‘customized routes + flexible visits to lesser-known spots,’ will give you a detailed understanding of the Duku Highway and provide a reference itinerary.D1:Urumqi → S101 Hundred-Mile Danxia → Kuitun
Enjoy the Yadan landform along S101 Provincial Road, stay overnight in Kuitun, preparing to enter the Duku Highway the next day.
D2:Kuitun → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Qiaoerma → Tangbula
Visit Dushanzi Grand Canyon in the morning, cross Hashilegen Daban in the afternoon, pass Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery, and arrive at Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery in the evening. Look for lesser-known photo spots like Little Moon Bay or Tianshan Stone Forest.
D3:Tangbula → Nalati Sky Grassland → Bayanbulak
In the morning, choose to experience lesser-known hiking deep in Tangbula Grassland or at the entrance of Mengkete Ancient Trail. Enter Nalati Sky Grassland in the afternoon, head to Bayanbulak in the evening to enjoy the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns sunset. Ask the driver to find less crowded viewing spots.
D4:Bayanbulak → Big and Small Dragon Pools → Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon → Kuqa
Drive along the southern section of the Duku Highway in the morning, visit Big and Small Dragon Pools. Enter Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon in the afternoon, recommended to go near sunset to enjoy the canyon under light and shadow. Stay overnight in Kuqa, explore the old town.
D5:Kuqa → Luobu Village → Korla
Head to Luobu Village in the morning to experience the blend of desert, lake, and ancient village. Return to Korla in the afternoon, visit the night market by the Peacock River.
No worries exploring northern and southern Xinjiang, professional customized car rental for free travel. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency landline hotline: 0991-8866234, dedicated customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (WeChat same number can be added).
🗺️ Duku Highway: See Four Seasons on One RoadD6:Korla → Bosten Lake → Urumqi
Visit Bosten Lake, China’s largest inland freshwater lake, in the morning. Return to Urumqi via highway in the afternoon, ending the trip.
💰 Price Reference:2026 Customized Car Rental Fees
The following are reference quotes for customized car rental with driver from Urumqi (unit: yuan/day/vehicle). Fees typically include vehicle usage, fuel, tolls, parking, driver salary, and vehicle insurance. Prices may increase by 10%-20% during peak season (June-September), subject to contract.
7-Seat Vehicles
SAIC Maxus/Buick Business Vehicle:1200–1600
Mercedes Vito/High-Roof Modified Business Vehicle:1800–2200
Minibus (12-19 Seats)
Domestic Luxury Minibus:1800–2200
Kinglong/Yutong Air-Conditioned Tourist Bus:2200–2400
The Duku Highway, i.e., the Dushanzi to Kuqa section of National Highway G217, is about 561 kilometers long, traversing the Tianshan Mountains and connecting northern and southern Xinjiang. It is hailed as ‘a monument in China’s road construction history,’ featuring diverse landscapes like snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, and lakes, with the saying ‘Walk through four seasons in one day, with different weather every ten miles.’Large Bus (33-55 Seats)
Large Tourist Coach:3000–4000
Standard Tourist Bus:4000–5500
Friendly Reminder:The above are reference vehicle prices; specific prices are subject to customer service quotes!
Exclusions
Tourist tickets, meals, and accommodation fees.
Driver’s meals and accommodation (negotiable for some itineraries).
Excess mileage or overtime fees incurred during the trip (if any).
📞 Booking Method
You can inquire and book Duku Highway customized car rental services through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
📅 Opening HoursPhone/WeChat:181-3962-2233
Communication Points:Number of travelers, days, departure point, budget, and preferred vehicle type.
📝 Fee and Service Description
Inclusions:Vehicle usage fee, fuel, tolls, parking, driver salary and basic service, vehicle compulsory insurance and commercial insurance.
Exclusions:Tourist tickets, meals, accommodation, driver’s meals and accommodation (negotiable for some itineraries), excess mileage or overtime fees incurred during the trip (if any).
Service Description:All service content, fee details, and itinerary arrangements are subject to actual consultation and contract. In case of force majeure factors like weather or road conditions, both parties can negotiate itinerary changes.
💡 Practical Tips
Documents:Bring valid ID, student ID, senior citizen card, etc., for ticket discounts.
Clothing:Prepare a windbreaker, sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, etc., to cope with mountain temperature differences and strong UV rays.
Medication:Prepare cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, and personal regular medications.
Driving:The Duku Highway has many curves and strict speed limits; be sure to follow the driver’s instructions and avoid fatigue driving.
For Xinjiang tourism, choose Pathfinder International Travel Agency for customized car rental, worry-free and reliable. Landline: 0991-8866234, Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233.
