13-17 Road Book of South Xinjiang Great Ring Road: Duku Highway+Kunlun Kara Highway+Desert Highway

The Great Ring Road in South Xinjiang starts from Urumqi, crosses the whole southern Xinjiang region, and finally reaches Yuli, Korla. At this time, you can choose three directions: go north and return to Urumqi; Eastbound along Hami to Dunhuang, Gansu; Go south along Ruoqiang to Huatugou, Mangya, Qinghai; It takes only 2 days to travel in all three directions.

The whole journey is 4,8 kilometers, the driving time is 13-17 days, and the average daily driving distance is 32 kilometers. The roads we pass are Duku Highway, Kunlun Kara Highway, Panlong Ancient Road, Tasha Ancient Road and Desert Highway. The scenic spots visited include: Baili Gallery, Bayinbuluke, Tianshan Mystery Grand Canyon, Kizil Thousand Buddha Cave, Wensu Grand Canyon, Artux Grand Canyon, Artux Tianmen, Baisha Lake, Karakule Lake, Hongqilapu Gate, Taklimakan Desert, Luntai Populus euphratica Forest, Luobu Village, Turpan Flame Mountain and so on. The line segments are as follows:

1. Duku Highway Section (91 km, 4 days): Urumqi travels westward, passing through Shihezi and Shawan, arriving at Dushanzi, then starting to cross Duku Highway southward, and arriving at Kuqa via Bayinbuluke, Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon and other places, thus completing the journey of Duku Highway.

2. Kunlun Kara Highway Section (1,27km, 4 days): Kuqa continued southward, arrived in Kashgar via Aksu and Artux, drove into Kunlun Kara Highway, one of the top ten steep highways in the world, and went to Tashkurgan and Hongqi Lafu.

3. Panlong Ancient Road and Tasha Ancient Road (8 km, 2 days): Hongqilafu set off, passed through Waqia Panlong Ancient Road, and "Xuanzang's way back to China" Tasha Ancient Road, along shache and Yecheng, and arrived at Hotan, the hometown of Hetian jade in China.

4. Desert Highway Section (123 km, 3 days): Hotan goes eastward, passes Yutian, goes north from Minfeng, crosses the famous Taklimakan Desert Highway, arrives at Luntai and Korla, and arrives at Luobu Village in Yuli County.

5. Return road section (2 days): Yuli-Turpan-Urumqi (suitable for car rental), 6 kilometers; Yuli-Hami-Gansu (suitable for returning to Northeast China), 8 kilometers; Yuli-Ruoqiang-Qinghai (suitable for returning from South China), 75km.

route: Urumqi departs at 8: , passes through changji city, Hutubi, Manas and Shihezi, and arrives at Shawan, the hometown of saute spicy chicken in Xinjiang, for lunch. After lunch, take a bus to visit the Anjihai Grand Canyon (not open yet, the itinerary is reserved) with magnificent colors and dense terraces. In the evening, via Kuitun City, arrive at Dushanzi, the starting point of Duku Highway, visit the Kuitun Grand Canyon in Dushanzi, and then stay in Dushanzi.

attractions: Shawan saute spicy chicken, anjihai grand canyon (1 hour) and Kuitun grand canyon (1 hour).

mileage: 3km, driving for 4 hours, toll in 97 yuan.

Route: Dushanzi departs at 8: , officially enters the 561km "G217 National Highway Duku Highway" (limited to less than 7 vehicles), runs between the mountains and the Shenchuan Canyon, passes through Laohukou, Tianpu and Gendaban in Hashel, and arrives at Jorma at 12: . After visiting the Martyrs Cemetery, drive west to the Tamboura Baili Gallery, which is just 1 miles long. The famous "Xinghuagou" is located in this section. Stay overnight in Jorma or in a yurt along the way.

Attractions: Duku Highway, Martyrs Cemetery, Tamboura Baili Gallery and Xinghuagou.

mileage: 2 kilometers, 4 hours' driving, and the toll fee is yuan.

Route: Jorma departs at 8 o'clock, continues southbound along Duku Highway, passes through Laldun Daban, and arrives at Bayinbuluke Grassland at 11 o'clock. Go south along a section of Duku Highway, enjoy the beautiful scenery in the depths of Tianshan Mountain, cross Yuxi Molegedaban (3,2m) and Laldun Daban (2,71m), and reach Bayinbuluke Grassland at an altitude of 2,5m. Visit Bayinbuluke Grassland, Jiuqu Eighteen Bends, Swan Lake and other scenic spots. Some places on Duku Highway are more than 3, meters above sea level, so there is generally no altitude sickness. If tourists have altitude sickness, it is recommended to bring portable oxygen bottles and glucose and other items in advance. Mongolian yurts in the scenic spot for the night. Mongolian yurts are cold at night and don't provide meals, so it is necessary to bring warm clothes and catering items in advance.

Attractions: Bayinbuluke Grassland, Swan Lake, Nine Curves and Eighteen Bends.

mileage: 15km, 3 hours' drive, toll in yuan.

Route: Depart from Bayinbuluke, pass through Bayinbulung and Tielimaitiban, visit the large and small dragon pools, and then pass through Kuruli and Ketai Creek to visit the mysterious Grand Canyon in Tianshan Mountain, which is a bright pearl on the ancient Silk Road. All the way through the mountains and deep valleys, the car will be seen on the narrow path that runs through the north and south of Tianshan Mountain. Every meter of 561 kilometers is a landscape. Drive 1 kilometers to the south, arrive at Kuqa and check in, ending the famous trip to Duku Highway.

Attractions: Dragon Pool (1 hour) and Mysterious Grand Canyon in Tianshan Mountain (3 hours).

mileage: 26 kilometers, 5 hours' driving, toll in 2 yuan.

Route: From the area south of Kuqa, we have entered the area of southern Xinjiang. "Northern Xinjiang sees scenery, while southern Xinjiang sees humanity". There are more cultural landscapes in Aksu and Kashgar. Set out from Kuqa and visit Kuqa Wangfu in the urban area. Then pass the oil highway, visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Cave on the cliff of Mingwutag Mountain, and then pass through Sailimu to reach Baicheng. Finally, after Chaerqi, visit Wensu Grand Canyon, which is equally famous as "Tianshan Mystery Grand Canyon". When you arrive at Wensu, visit Tianshan Shenmu Garden and stay in Aksu City at night.

Attractions: Kuqa Palace, Petroleum Highway, Kizil Thousand Buddha Cave, Wensu Grand Canyon and Tianshan Shenmu Garden.

mileage: 27 kilometers, 4.5 hours by car, toll in 36 yuan.

route: start from Aksu, continue south, pass through Awati (the hometown of Dao Lang), Tumushuke, Weitouzhou City Site of Tang Dynasty and Sanchakou, all the way south to atushi, and visit Mazha in Sulitang, Artux Grand Canyon and Artux Tianmen. In the evening, there is "the oldest Buddhist cave in China" not far from Khartoum. Sanxian Cave can visit it and stay in Kashgar for the night.

Attractions: the hometown of Dao Lang in Awati, Weitouzhou City Site of Tang Dynasty, Artux Grand Canyon, Tianmen in Artux, Mazha in Suritang and Sanxian Cave. When writing the road book, I try to mark the scenic spots I pass completely. You can visit 2-3 of these major cultural attractions if you are interested. )

mileage: 55 kilometers, 7 hours' drive, and toll fee: 118 yuan.

Route: one-day tour of Kashgar, and the order of scenic spots is as follows: the opening ceremony of the east gate of the ancient city-Xiangfei Tomb-the comprehensive service hall of Kashgar International Self-driving and RV Camp, and the border guard card of Tashkurgan-Aitigar Mosque-the ancient city of Kashgar-the night market. You must remember to apply for a border card today, because you need a border card to go to Tashkurgan County from karakoram highway tomorrow.

attractions: the opening ceremony of the east gate of the ancient city (one at 1: 3, one at 12: and one at 18: ), the Aitigar Mosque, the ancient city of Kashgar and the night market of Kashgar.

mileage: for sightseeing in urban areas, it is recommended to take a taxi, and it is difficult to stop by car.

Route: Depart from Kashgar and start to step into the vast and majestic famous karakoram highway. Karakoram highway is known as "the most beautiful road in the world" and "one of the top ten most dangerous roads in the world". When building roads, every kilometer of road is bought with one life. After a brief visit, visit the Kashgar Tomb, then visit Muji Crater, then visit Baisha Lake and Karakule Lake scenic spot in turn, pass Bulunkou and Coquillard, all the way through Huangsha Gobi, overlooking the sacred and majestic Gonggeer Peak (7649 meters above sea level) and muztag ata (759 meters above sea level) of Kunlun Mountain, and arrive at Tashkurgan County at 21: .

Attractions: karakoram highway, Muji Crater, Kashgar Tomb, Baisha Lake and Karakule Lake.

mileage: 45km, 7 hours' drive, toll in yuan.

route: Tashkurgan departs at 8: and goes to the gate of Hongqilafu, which is adjacent to Pakistan and is known as the "valley of death", and takes a group photo with it. After that, I went to shache via the winding Waqipanlong Ancient Road and the Tasha Ancient Road (the road is very narrow), which is "Xuanzang's way to learn from the scriptures". After passing through Zepu, Yecheng, Pishan and Kunyu, I arrived in Hotan at 2: .

Attractions: Hongqilafu Port, Waqipanlong Ancient Road and Tasha Ancient Road.

mileage: 5 kilometers, 8 hours' driving, toll in 6 yuan.

Route: Depart from shache and visit the Yangguojia Forest Park in Zepu Jinhu, which was bred by the snowy Kunlun Mountains and the Yarkant River. There are 2, mu of natural Populus euphratica forests here, and famous scenic spots include Populus euphratica King, Holy Trees, Elaeagnus angustifolia Promenade and Lake Island. In the afternoon, after passing through Zepu, we arrived at Yecheng Zero Kilometer Monument, the starting point of the new Tibet line of the old 219 National Highway, and took a photo. Finally, I arrived in Hotan City via Pishan, Kunyu and Moyu, and visited the scenic spots such as Walnut King Park and Qianli Grape Corridor in the urban area.

Attractions: Zepu Jinhu Yangguojia Forest Park (3-4 hours), Yecheng Zero Kilometer Monument and Hetian Qianli Grape Corridor.

mileage: 3 kilometers, 4.5 hours by car, toll in 1 yuan.

Route: The vehicle is located at the intersection of Kunlun Mountain and Taklimakan Desert. While overlooking the snowy Kunlun Mountain, it crosses the ancient wasteland and feels the prototype site of the series of literary works of Tomb Raiding Notes. Starting from Hotan, visit China Hotan Jade Trading Center, first visit Wuluwati Scenic Area in the direction of Hotan Airport, and then return to Hotan. In the afternoon, after passing through Luopu, Qira, Yutian and Minfeng, we visited the ancient tombs of Shanpula, the Buddhist ruins and the ruins of the ancient city of Yi 'er in turn, and stayed in Minfeng.

attractions: uluwati scenic spot, Shanpula ancient tombs, Buddhist sites, and the ruins of the ancient city of Yi 'er.

mileage: 35 kilometers, 6 hours' driving, toll in yuan.

route: before departure, be sure to fill up the Minfeng gas station. Today, we will cross the Taklimakan Desert, which is the largest desert in China and the tenth largest desert in the world, and the Tarim Basin, which is the largest inland basin in China. We will drive along the Tarim Desert Highway in online celebrity and feel the grandeur of the first desert in China under the package of Kunlun Mountains and Altun Mountains. There is a well house every 4 kilometers, and there is a regular gas station in the tower between Minfeng and Luntai, which is 25 kilometers away from Minfeng. Minfeng set out, passed through Tazhong, Xiaotang and Lunnan, visited Tarim Populus euphratica Forest, the largest primitive Populus euphratica Park in Xinjiang, and finally stayed at Luntai overnight. If you have a plan to camp in the desert and watch the starry sky, please consult the staff on duty in the well room for advice. At the same time, don't drive the car into the desert at will, it's easy to get stuck. )

Attractions: Tarim Desert Highway, Taklimakan Desert, Tarim Basin and Tarim Populus euphratica Forest Park.

mileage: 58 kilometers, 8.5 hours by car, toll in yuan.

route: set off from Luntai, go to Korla, go south to Yuli, and visit the Luobu village full of aesthetic legends. Luobu people have been isolated from the world for thousands of years, and now only this last "Luobu village" is left. They fish and hunt by Haizi in the desert, grow crops and wear coarse linen made of apocynum venetum. Despite the poor living conditions, most of the old people in the village are over 1 years old, and the Luobu people have another nickname called "centenarian Luobu people". In the evening, return to Yuli to check in.

Attractions: Luobu village, Luobu grilled fish and Luobu mutton.

mileage: 3 kilometers, 5.5 hours by car, toll in 35 yuan.

Remarks: At this time, you can choose three directions to return: Yuli-Turpan-Urumqi (suitable for car rental and self-driving), 6 kilometers; Yuli-Hami-Gansu (suitable for returning to Northeast China), 8 kilometers; Yuli-Ruoqiang-Qinghai (suitable for returning from South China), 75km. The following describes the loop trip back to Urumqi.

route: start from Yuli, go all the way north, pass through Korla and Yanqi, and arrive in Turpan five hours later. Visit Turpan Grape Valley, Flame Mountain and Aiding Lake, the lowest land point in China (-153m above sea level). There are many cultural attractions near Turpan, so you can choose to visit Turpan Museum, Jiaohe Old City, Gaochang Old City, Kanerjing Paradise and so on according to your personal hobbies and energy.

Attractions: Flame Mountain, Grape Valley and Aiding Lake.

mileage: 4 kilometers, 6 hours by car.

Route: Turpan goes north, passes through Xiaocaohu Interchange, and arrives at Dabancheng, where "The Girl of Osaka Castle", which is popular all over the country, "If you marry someone else, you must marry me", overlooking the wind power windmill forest in Dabancheng, visiting Chaiwobao Lake, and arriving in Urumqi at noon. In the afternoon, visit Urumqi Museum and Erdaoqiao International Grand Bazaar. Self-driving is not recommended for sightseeing in Urumqi, because it is difficult to park, and it is more convenient to take a taxi or Didi.

attractions: Dabancheng windmill forest, Chaiwobao Lake, Urumqi Museum, International Grand Bazaar.

mileage: 2 kilometers, driving for 2.5 hours.

this route can be carried out in 13-17 days, and the above 15-day route book is only for standard reference. The specific arrangements are as follows:

13th trip: On the first day, I will not live in Dushanzi, but stay in Jorma directly; On the third day, I stayed in Kuqa instead of Bayinbuluke.

14th trip: On the first day, I will stay in Jorma instead of Dushanzi.

16th trip: On the third day, between "Jorma-Bayinbuluke", add one day trip and live in Nalati town.

17th itinerary: On the third day, between "Jorma-Bayinbuluke", one more day itinerary will be added. After visiting Lati, I will live in Qingshuihe Town, Huocheng. On the fourth day, we added a day trip, "Qingshuihe-Huocheng Lavender-Guozigou Bridge-Sailimu Lake-Nalati".

again, the road book is dead and the steering wheel is alive. The road book is only for reference, and the specific itinerary needs to be arranged according to your own time. Friends who have fewer holidays and need to catch up with the trip will walk faster; Friends who have enough holidays and need slow-paced and in-depth travel will walk slowly.

for more travel guides to Tibet, western Sichuan and Xinjiang, if you are not clear, you can check my column for detailed itinerary planning and matters needing attention.