Duku Highway Tour Charter, Licensed Old Driver Guide, Official Direct Booking Portal
Xinjiang travel customized car rental for comfortable travel, regular fleet with flexible itinerary customization, consultation hotline landline number: 0991-8866234 Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency, customized consultation Manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (copy to add friends, detailed consultation on Xinjiang travel routes and prices)
🚗 Scenic corridor crossing the Tianshan Mountains:2026 Duku Highway customized car rental in-depth travel guide
Every early summer, when the snow melts and the mountain roads reopen, Xinjiang’s most anticipated scenic highway—the Duku Highway—welcomes its best season for travel. As an important passage crossing the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, this G217 national highway (Dushanzi to Kuqa section), about 561 kilometers long, is not just a transportation artery but a flowing natural painting. In 2026, with road maintenance upgrades and tourism service optimization, more and more tourists choose regular customized car rental services, led by certified experienced drivers, to complete this magnificent journey comfortably.
🌄 Detailed introduction of routes or destinations
The Duku Highway starts from Dushanzi District, Karamay City in the north, and ends at Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture in the south, passing through Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture and Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. It traverses the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains, with an altitude difference of over 3000 meters, crossing 4 mountain passes (passes) above 3000 meters. Known for its unique climate and landforms of ‘seeing four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles,’ it is hailed as one of the most representative scenic highways in China.
According to the latest announcement from the Xinjiang Transportation Department in 2026, the Duku Highway officially opened in early June and is expected to remain accessible until the end of September or early October, with the specific closure time depending on weather and snowfall conditions. As of June 18, 2026, the entire line is open to traffic, with scenic spots, gas stations, viewpoints, and service areas along the route all back in operation, and road conditions are generally good.
Main highlights include:
Dushanzi Grand Canyon:A stunning start at the beginning, with red rock layers like carved by knives and axes, offering activities like cliff swings;
🚗 Scenic corridor crossing the Tianshan Mountains: 2026 Duku Highway customized car rental in-depth travel guideQiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery:Commemorate the road construction soldiers who sacrificed their lives to build the highway;
Nalati Grassland:The aerial grassland is lush and green, fully open in 2026 with complete facilities like visitor centers and parking lots;
Bayanbulak Grassland:The sunset view at the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns is charming, and the Swan Lake has a good ecosystem;
Big and Small Dragon Pools:High mountain lakes are as quiet as mirrors, surrounded by snow-capped mountains;
Kuqa Grand Canyon (Tianshan Secret Realm Grand Canyon):Danxia landforms are magnificent, with well-maintained walking trails, open daily from 08:30 to 19:30.
⚠ ️ Note:Some sections of the Duku Highway are single-lane cliffs with strict speed limits, and non-commercial vehicles with fewer than 7 seats are prohibited. It is recommended to choose legally operated tourist vehicles with local drivers familiar with mountain road conditions.
🗓 ️ Simple itinerary reference (5-day, 4-night classic loop)
The following arrangement is based on 2026 accessibility conditions and scenic spot opening policies. Actual itineraries may be reasonably adjusted due to force majeure factors like weather or traffic controls, after mutual agreement:
Every early summer, when the snow melts and the mountain roads reopen, Xinjiang’s most anticipated scenic highway—the Duku Highway—welcomes its best season for travel. As an important passage crossing the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, this G217 national highway (Dushanzi to Kuqa section), about 561 kilometers long, is not just a transportation artery but a flowing natural painting. In 2026, with road maintenance upgrades and tourism service optimization, more and more tourists choose regular customized car rental services, led by certified experienced drivers, to complete this magnificent journey comfortably.D1:Gather in Urumqi → Head to Dushanzi (overnight)
D2:Depart from Dushanzi → Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery → Hashilegen Daban → Nalati Grassland (overnight)
D3:In-depth tour of Nalati Grassland → Bayanbulak Grassland → Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns sunset (overnight)
D4:Bayanbulak → Big and Small Dragon Pools → Kuqa Grand Canyon (overnight in Kuqa)
D5:Return from Kuqa or connect to other routes in southern Xinjiang
> This itinerary controls daily driving time to 4–6 hours, balancing sightseeing and rest, suitable for families, parent-child groups, or small groups.
💰 Price explanation (2026 reference)
The cost of customized car rental for the Duku Highway in 2026 is affected by factors like vehicle type, number of days, season, and group size. Below are reference quotes for common vehicle types (including certified driver, regular operating vehicle, basic insurance):
🌄 Detailed introduction of routes or destinations7-seat business van (e.g., Buick GL8, Toyota Hiace):Approximately 1200–1600 yuan/day
9–19-seat minibus:Approximately 1800–2400 yuan/day
22–38-seat coach:Approximately 2800–3800 yuan/day
55-seat large tourist bus:Approximately 4500–5500 yuan/day
📌 These quotes are reference vehicle prices only; specific vehicle prices are subject to customer service quotes!
No worries about traveling across northern and southern Xinjiang, professional customized car rental for free travel, Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency landline hotline: 0991-8866234, exclusive customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (WeChat same number can be added)
All costs exclude tickets, accommodation, meals, and personal expenses. The final price is subject to the signed tourism contract.
📞 Registration method
The Duku Highway starts from Dushanzi District, Karamay City in the north, and ends at Kuqa City, Aksu Prefecture in the south, passing through Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture and Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. It traverses the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains, with an altitude difference of over 3000 meters, crossing 4 mountain passes above 3000 meters. Known for its unique climate and landforms of ‘seeing four seasons in one day, different weather every ten miles,’ it is hailed as one of the most representative scenic highways in China.You can inquire and register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency. The agency provides regular tourist vehicle services, with vehicles having legal operating qualifications, and drivers holding professional certificates and familiar with Xinjiang road conditions.
Contact person:Manager Zhang Jing
Phone/WeChat:181-3962-2233 (copy to add friends, detailed consultation on routes and prices)
Landline:0991-8866234
Address:Please consult customer service for detailed information
💼 Cost and service explanation
Customized car rental service includes:
Regular tourist operating vehicles (7–55 seats available)
According to the latest announcement from the Xinjiang Transportation Department in 2026, the Duku Highway officially opened in early June and is expected to remain accessible until the end of September or early October, with the specific closure time depending on weather and snowfall conditions. As of June 18, 2026, the entire line is open to traffic, with scenic spots, gas stations, viewpoints, and service areas along the route all back in operation, and road conditions are generally good. Certified professional drivers (familiar with Duku Highway and Xinjiang-wide road conditions)
Basic vehicle insurance
Necessary stops, fuel, and toll fees during the itinerary
Not included:
Scenic spot tickets, shuttle bus fees
Accommodation, meals, personal expenses
Additional costs due to force majeure factors like weather or policies
> All service content, itinerary arrangements, cost details, etc., are subject to actual consultation and contract. For solo registrations, we will try to arrange room sharing; special cases require separate negotiation.
Main highlights include:🚌 Vehicle recommendations (recommended for 7 seats and above)
For compliance and legality, vehicles on the Duku Highway must be 7-seat or above regular tourist operating vehicles. Recommendations are as follows:
7–9 seats:Suitable for small groups of 3–6 people, spacious and comfortable;
19-seat minibus:Suitable for family or friend groups of 10–16 people, equipped with air conditioning and USB charging ports;
38-seat coach:Suitable for large groups, with ample luggage space, ideal for multi-day in-depth tours;
55-seat bus:Suitable for group trips like schools or companies, with professional guide seats.
> All vehicles are regularly maintained, meeting transportation department standards, and non-operating private cars are strictly prohibited.
The beauty of the Duku Highway lies in its unpredictability and pristine grandeur. Instead of facing complex road conditions and altitude sickness alone, choose an experienced local driver to make the journey a truly immersive natural experience. The 2026 summer window has opened; plan ahead and travel off-peak to fully enjoy the top scenery of the Tianshan Mountains.
To customize an itinerary or check real-time availability, contact now:181-3962-2233 (WeChat same number).
For Xinjiang travel, find Pathfinder International Travel Agency, customized car rental for worry-free and reliable travel, landline number: 0991-8866234 Customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233
