Along the Duku Highway, travel through Xinjiang, which has top-notch scenery

The Tianshan Mountains are like a natural barrier that stands between southern Xinjiang and northern Xinjiang. It not only separates the two lands, but also completely separates the natural scenery and folk customs. The completion of the Duku Highway has reduced the long road of more than 1,000 kilometers in northern and southern Xinjiang by nearly half. If you want to choose a road that you must take in Xinjiang, an autonomous region with China's top scenery, it must be the more than 500 kilometers of Duku Highway. Look at the scenery in northern Xinjiang and the customs in southern Xinjiang. Snow-capped mountains, meadows, forests, canyons, rivers, Yadan, donkey carts, bazaars...these unique elements of Xinjiang can all be seen at a glance on the road.

Notes:

1. From June to September, the road will be temporarily closed in case of heavy snow. It will be reopened to traffic after the snow is cleared. It is recommended to go from the end of June to August.

2. There are many places to stay. There are hotels, B&Bs, and farmhouses of various conditions and grades in Dushanzi, Qolma, Nalati, Bayinbuluke, and Kuqa.

3. Although more than half of the Duku Highway is a mountain road, and there are also dangerous sections such as "Laohukou", the road conditions are generally good and ordinary cars can drive, and it is not necessary to drive an off-road vehicle.

4. The climate in Xinjiang is changeable, with large temperature differences between day and night, and the climate changes frequently among the four seasons. It is recommended to bring enough warm clothes.

Part 1? Snow-proof Corridor—Laohukou—Hasilegendaban

The only snow-proof corridor in the world

Dushanzi ——Nalati 220 kilometers

Snow Corridor, Laohukou, Hasilgendaban

Most of the roads in Xinjiang are flat and straight, and Xinjiang Passenger Transport Company has many night operations The bus is in good condition and the road conditions are very good. But the Duku Highway is a completely different story.

The Duku Highway starts from Dushanzi, an important oil town in northern Xinjiang. Starting from this featureless industrial town, the car started to go uphill along the winding mountain road. The most rugged section of the Duku Highway suddenly appeared in front of us. On one side of the road is a mountain with dangerous terrain, and on the other side is a river passing through it. From Dushanzi to Qolma, there are thousands of twists and turns. You must not only concentrate on dealing with the winding road, but also pay attention to falling rocks. There is a section of dangerous road called "Tiger Pass", which is the most dangerous on the Duku Highway. section.

After driving carefully for more than 100 kilometers, we came to the only snow-proof corridor in the world. Since the Duku Highway is covered with snow most of the year, even from June to September when it is open to traffic, the road may be temporarily closed due to heavy snow. Under such dangerous natural conditions, the snow-proof corridor can make the cliff The avalanche snow fell into the deep ditch next to the highway, which played a very important role in the driving safety and maintenance of the highway.

After passing through the snow-proof corridor and winding up the mountain, we finally arrived at the first Daban on the Duku Highway: Hasilgen Daban. The sand and gravel mountains along the way are covered with some vegetation, which is far less lush than that of Ili. However, after climbing over the high mountains, you will see a magnificent scene that is worthy of the hardships. Looking from the highest point, the eighteen bends of the mountain road we drove through are clearly visible in front of us, and in the distance are the stretching grasslands and winding rivers under the snow-capped mountains. Summer welcomes those of us who come from afar with the most lush greenery.

Hashlegendaban

Part 2? Nalati - three-dimensional grassland - snow-capped spruce

Four seasons in one day /p>

Nalati - Bayinbuluk 60 kilometers

Nalati, three-dimensional grassland, snow-capped spruce

The previous scenery was only from the Duku Highway Warm up, the real climax begins with Nalati. After the car left Qolma, the green grasslands and rivers gradually disappeared, and what came into view was the real Ili style.

Ili is known as "Jiangnan beyond the Great Wall". In Xinjiang, a land dominated by continental desert and arid areas, the Ili River Valley with rich water and grass is a well-deserved "green corridor". As a frequent visitor to Yili 6 times, I have always praised it as the most beautiful place in China. It is the place where I really want to stay after walking through thousands of mountains and rivers and seeing the clouds rolling in and out.

Speaking of Ili, the most moving thing is the "three-dimensional grassland" composed of snow-capped spruce trees, grassland, Tianshan Mountains and Kazakh herdsmen: above the grassland are the Tianshan Mountains, which are covered with snow all year round, and at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains are straight mountains. Tall and tall snow-capped spruce trees, and on the grassland with abundant water and grass, smoke rises from the yurts of Kazakh herdsmen, and the cattle and sheep are enjoying themselves. It is precisely because of this unique terrain that Xinjiang’s nomadic life can be passed down forever. Since each grassland has a different altitude, alpine grasslands can only be used as summer pastures, while grasslands at low altitudes can be used as winter pastures, which is what the Kazakhs call "winter nests." Cattle and sheep are the most important assets of the nomads. The Kazakh people must move between different pastures to ensure that their cattle and sheep have enough food every season. During the transition season, Kazakhs ride horses or drive motorcycles, driving large numbers of cattle and sheep to different pastures to complete the migration of their homes.

Nalati is the area where spruce trees are most luxuriant in Ili Snow Ridge.

This is the most famous scenic spot in Yili, with complete accommodation and supporting facilities. But even if you are just passing by Nalati Town in a hurry, you can see the incomparable three-dimensional grassland landscape from outside the scenic area.

Starting from Nalati, we wind all the way up the mountain. It is only 60 kilometers, but it is an unexpectedly beautiful picture. High mountains, snow-capped meadows, mountains and canyons, snow-capped spruce...the closer you get to the top of the mountain, the more magnificent the scenery becomes. Those Kazakh yurts dotted on the grassland are smoking, and the Kazakh nation has been living in these beautiful scenery for generations.

In mid-to-late June, the Duku Highway was just swept by a heavy snowfall. The white snow covered the green grassland and spruce trees, existing seamlessly in summer and winter. This is the charm of the Duku Highway. In one day, the four seasons jump, just on the road of a few hundred kilometers.

Nalati National Forest Park

Xinjiang Nalati Forest Park is located at the northern foot of Nalati Mountain, a branch of the Tianshan Mountains, and the upper reaches of the Gongnaisi River. It is located at the intersection of National Highway 217 from Kuqa to Dushanzi and National Highway 218 from Yili to Bazhou, with convenient transportation. The whole park covers an area of ??6025 hectares. The park has a wide variety of wild animals and plants and is rich in resources. The park is mainly natural and cultural landscapes. It is a forest tourist resort that integrates sightseeing, vacation, entertainment, recuperation, fitness, adventure, scientific investigation and other multi-functional areas. Three major scenic spots: Dadonggou Scenic Area, Luming Peak Mountaineering Area, and Spruce Nursery Viewing Area.

Part3 ? Bayinbulak Grassland - Swan Lake - Big and Small Dragon Ponds

Set up your home in a place with abundant water and grass

Bayinbulak - Iron Limai Tida Ban - 120 kilometers from Big and Small Dragon Ponds

Bayinbuluke Grassland, Big and Small Longchis

Winding down the mountain, we are about to usher in another climax on the Duku Highway - —Bayinbuluke. Bayinbulak means "rich spring water" and is the second largest grassland in China after Hulunbuir. Since our departure, we have basically been climbing over mountains and ridges all the way, and when we arrived at Bayinbuluke, we could finally experience the smoothness of the plains. The road no longer twists and turns, but leads straight into the distance; the roadside is no longer dense forest, but vast grassland and rivers running through it. When you look at Bayinbuluk from the air, you will definitely be attracted by the winding rivers. The so-called "home is where the water and grass are abundant" probably refers to this place.

Bayinbuluke’s ID photo shows the sunset over the winding Kaidu River in the scenic area. As the sun sets, the sun's afterglow shines on the river. Standing on the top of the mountain, overlooking this grassland 360 degrees, other than vast, I can't think of a more appropriate adjective. I looked at the sun shining brightly on one side of the mountain, while the other side was covered with dark clouds. Not long after, the dark clouds quickly rushed towards my location at a speed visible to the naked eye, and immediately, a heavy rain was about to break out.

The sheep here are also a spectacle. Whenever a herd of sheep passes by, the locals will point at them and say: "Look! Obama!" It turns out that these black-faced and white-haired sheep look like former U.S. President Obama in a white suit. If you are lucky, you can also catch a sheep shearing event. The "Obama's" are like patients who have given up their struggle, waiting for the "judgment of fate." Judging from their lonely expressions after being shorn, they obviously don't like this thing very much. But the owners have no choice but to make a living by selling wool, so they can only Able to submit.

After leaving the vast Bayinbulak, the car began to wind up the mountain again, heading towards the highest Daban on the Duku Highway - Tielimaiti Daban. After climbing all the way, we finally reached the highest point, which is the last Daban on the Duku Highway. The winding road itself is the perfect embellishment of these high mountains. Above the snow line along the way, you can even see snowdrops growing on the cliffs, which should be considered an unexpected gain on the Duku Highway.

Soon after going downhill, we arrived at the Big and Small Dragon Ponds. This was also the last picture of green mountains and green waters on the Duku Highway. Two alpine lakes surrounded by mountains and forests are quietly located deep in the Tianshan Mountains. The midsummer light years along this journey are about to come to an end, and what greets us will be another strange landscape.

Bayinbulak Grassland

·Bayinbulak means Fengquan - "rich spring" in Mongolian. The grassland is flat and has abundant water and grass. It is a typical grass meadow grassland. ·It is one of the most important animal husbandry bases in Xinjiang. Not only the "nine twists and turns" Kaidu River, but also the elegant and charming Swan Lake. ·The best time to visit Bayinbulak Grassland is from June to September every year, while other times are colder.

Swan Lake

Bayinbuluke Swan Lake is the largest swan nature reserve in Asia and the only swan nature reserve in my country. It is home to the largest wild swan population in my country. Located in the Bayinbulak Grassland of Hejing County, Xinjiang, with an average altitude of 2,400 meters and a total area of ??about 1,100 square kilometers, it is composed of countless winding lakes. Bayinbulak Grassland is the second largest grassland in my country after Ordos, covering an area of ??24,000 square kilometers and an altitude of 2,300-2,800 meters. The residents of the area are mainly Mongolian, accounting for about 78% of the area's population. The local Mongolian herdsmen protect the swans and live in peace with them.

Part4 ? The Mysterious Grand Canyon of Kuqa - Kuqa Palace - Kizil Devil City

Walking to the water poor, I saw the Kingdom of Kucha

Big and Small Dragon Ponds - 137 kilometers from Kuqa

Kuqa’s mysterious Grand Canyon and the style of southern Xinjiang

After going downhill from the Big and Small Longchi Ponds, clues of southern Xinjiang begin to appear. The forest meadows no longer exist, replaced by the fiery red Yadan landform. In Uighur language, this place is called "Kiziliya", which means red cliff. The strange rocks stand majestically on both sides of the road, as warm as flames, and have a bit of the charm of the Antelope Canyon in the United States. This is the mysterious Grand Canyon of Kuqa. The unique landform makes people finally come to their senses and realize that they have arrived in southern Xinjiang. The air began to change from being filled with fresh water vapor and the fragrance of earth to dry and hot. This unique scenery is completely worth buying a ticket to explore the Mysterious Grand Canyon Scenic Area in Kuqa.

The Grand Canyon is mainly composed of sedimentary rocks. Due to the faults of the Tianshan Mountains and crustal movement, as well as years of wind erosion and rain erosion, the rock layers have undergone a series of wavy bends. Today, you can clearly see the sides of the canyon. Different folds and fracture lines in the wall. Walking among them, people are too small to be worth mentioning compared to those huge rocks.

After driving for 70 kilometers, we arrived at Kuqa, the end of the Duku Highway. This was once an important city on the Silk Road. Today, Kuqa New Town is no different from most cities in China, but the old town seems to still be stuck in history, maintaining a leisurely and simple temperament. Tuanjie New Bridge is the core area of ??the old city. In the open space beside the river bed, several men sit on chairs and get haircuts. Uyghur books are sold in small shops, and well-dressed Uyghur youths read newspapers while walking around. Horse-drawn carriages and donkey carts shuttle on the asphalt road, giving you a glimpse into the once prosperous ancient country of Qiuci on the Silk Road.

Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon

Tianshan Canyon is located about 72km north of Kuqa County, Aksu Prefecture, on the north side of National Highway 217, with an altitude of 1,600 meters, and the highest peak is 2,048 meters above sea level.

The Grand Canyon is composed of reddish-brown mountains, which the locals call Kiziliya (meaning "red cliff" in Uyghur). The overall shape runs north-south, and the end curves slightly eastward. The main valley of the canyon is 2.7km long, and there are 4 branch valleys with a total length of 3km.

The Mysterious Grand Canyon was formed by hundreds of millions of years of wind, rain erosion and mountain torrents. The Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon combines majesty, danger, secludedness, tranquility and magic into one. Everyone who is there is amazed and amazed. The Aai Grottoes were found on the cliff 1.4km away from the mouth of the valley. The Chinese characters on the remaining murals on the south, north and west walls of the cave add color to the Grand Canyon.

Kuqa Palace

Kuqa, known as Qiuci in ancient times, is a large country among the 36 countries in the Western Regions. At that time, the ancient kingdom of Kucha was centered on Kuqa, including Baicheng, Xinhe, Shaya and other places. It had a long history and splendid culture. Qiuci is also an important town on the "Silk Road", with prosperous commerce. The Western Regions Protectorate of the Han Dynasty and the Anxi Protectorate of the Tang Dynasty were established in Qiuci, making Qiuci the political, economic and cultural center of the Western Regions. It is this glorious history that left many precious ancient relics in Kuqa. Ruins and exquisite cultural relics, they are witnesses of Kuqa’s history. Here, tourists can not only have a glimpse of the prince's style and feel the profoundness of Kucha culture, but also listen to the prince telling the story of the rise and fall of the prince's family, as well as the history of Kuqa's social and economic development.