A 15-Day Tour of Duku and Southern Xinjiang

[Opening]: Duku Highway (G217 National Highway Dushanzi to Kuche section) is known as one of the "most beautiful highways in China". It is about 561 kilometers long and connects Dushanzi in northern Xinjiang and Kuche in southern Xinjiang. The highway passes through the Tianshan Mountains and offers spectacular scenery along the way, including snow-capped mountains, canyons, grasslands, lakes and other landforms. 🛬【Itinerary】: Day 1: Warm Home - Urumqi Day 2: Urumqi - Dushanzi Grand Canyon - Duku Highway - Nalati Day 3: Nalati - Nalati Sky Grassland - Bayinbuluke - Bayinbuluke Day 4: Bayin-Dukku Highway-Big and Small Dragon Ponds-Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves-Kuche Day 5: Kuqa - Wensu Grand Canyon - Aksu Day 6: Aksu - Kashgar Ancient City - Centennial Teahouse - Kashgar Day 7: Kashgar - Baisha Lake - Karakul Lake - Golden Grass Beach - Stone City - Tashkurgan County Day 8: Tashkurgan County - Wakhan Corridor - Khunjerab - Panlong Ancient Road - Bandir Blue Lake - Tashkurgan County Day 9: Tashkurgan County - Taheman Wetland - Muztagh Ata Peak - Kashgar Day 10: Kashgar - Shache Palace - Yotgan Ancient City - Hotan Day 11: Hotan - Desert Highway - Daolang Tribe - Alaer Day 12: Aral - Tarim Populus euphratica Forest - Korla Day 13: Korla-Lobu Village-Korla Day 14: Korla - Bosten Lake - Urumqi Day 15: Urumqi - Warm Home 1. Dushanzi Grand Canyon: Located at the starting point, the canyon is deep and the scenery is stunning. 2. Nalati Grassland: Known as the "Grassland in the Sky", it is covered with green grass and herds of cattle and sheep in summer. 3. Bayinbuluke Grassland: China's second largest grassland, famous for its "nine bends and eighteen turns" river landscape. 4. Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon: Located near Kuqa, the red rocks form a unique landform landscape. 5. Big and Small Dragon Pond: alpine lakes with clear water surrounded by snow-capped mountains. 6. Taklimakan Desert: The largest desert in China, suitable for desert adventure. 7. Pamir Plateau: The plateau has magnificent scenery, and Muztagh Ata Peak and Karakul Lake are famous attractions. 8. Kuqa Grand Canyon: a red rock canyon with unique landforms. 9. Hotan: famous for its jade and silk, you can visit the jade market and silk workshops. 🍩【Must-eat food】: Big plate chicken + baked buns + roasted whole lamb + lamb skewers + hand-pulled rice + grilled fish 🏨【Accommodation Guide】: Ctrip Four Diamond + Classic Homestay 🚌【Traffic Guide】: Seven-seat business car or luxury seven-seat business car 🧡【tips】： 1. Season selection: The Duku Highway is open from June to October every year, and the best time to travel is July to August; the climate in southern Xinjiang is pleasant in spring and autumn, which is suitable for travel. 2. Transportation: Some sections of the Duku Highway are steep and require extensive driving experience; the road conditions in some areas of southern Xinjiang are poor, so it is recommended to choose an off-road vehicle. 3. Altitude sickness: The Pamir Plateau is at a high altitude. Please pay attention to prevent altitude sickness, get enough rest, and avoid strenuous exercise. 4. Protect from the sun and cold: Xinjiang has strong sunshine, so you need to protect yourself from the sun; the temperature difference between morning and evening is large on the Duku Highway and the Pamir Plateau, so make sure to keep warm. 5. Respect customs: There are many ethnic minorities in southern Xinjiang. Respect local customs and avoid offending them. Dushanzi Grand Canyon Duku Highway Narat Tourist Scenic Area Bayinbuluke Scenic Area Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves Xinjiang Tianshan Tomur Scenic Area Grand Canyon Kashgar Old Town Baisha Mountain-Baisha Lake Scenic Area Karakul Lake Scenic Area Panlong Ancient Road Wakhan Corridor Hongqilapu National Gate Bandir Blue Lake Tarim Populus euphratica Forest Park Luobu Village Bosteng Lake