If you’re planning a road trip in China, the 独库公路旅游线路 is one of the most jaw-dropping drives you can tackle. This 561-kilometer highway cuts through the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, connecting Dushanzi in the north to Kuche in the south. It’s not just a road—it’s a journey through five distinct climate zones, from arid deserts to alpine meadows, and it’s only open from June to September each year. The best stops along the route are packed with geological wonders, historical sites, and ecosystems that shift dramatically every 50 kilometers. Here’s what you need to know, based on on-the-ground data and local reports.

1. Dushanzi Grand Canyon (Kuitun River Grand Canyon)
Start your trip at the northern terminus in Dushanzi. The Dushanzi Grand Canyon is a 200-meter-deep chasm carved by the Kuitun River, stretching about 20 kilometers. The canyon walls are a mix of red, brown, and gray sedimentary rock layers, dating back to the Cretaceous period. According to the Xinjiang Geological Survey, the canyon’s vertical cliffs are eroding at a rate of 1.5 meters per year due to flash floods. There’s a glass-bottomed viewing platform that juts out 35 meters from the edge—perfect for photos, but not for the faint of heart. The site receives about 150,000 visitors annually, and the best time to visit is early morning to avoid the crowds and get the golden-hour light.

2. Tangbula Grassland (Tangbula Prairie)
About 100 kilometers south of Dushanzi, the Tangbula Grassland sits at an elevation of 1,800 meters. This is a high-altitude pasture covering 240 square kilometers, with an average grass height of 40 centimeters during peak summer. The grassland is home to around 8,000 Kazakh herders who move their yurts seasonally. You can stay in a traditional yurt (ger) for about 200–300 RMB per night, which includes a dinner of horse meat noodles and kumis (fermented mare’s milk). The temperature here drops to 10°C at night even in July, so pack a warm jacket. The local government reports that the grassland hosts over 300,000 tourists per year, but the area is so vast you can still find quiet spots.

3. Nalati Grassland (Nalati Prairie)
Further south, at 2,500 meters elevation, the Nalati Grassland is the largest alpine grassland in Xinjiang, covering 1,800 square kilometers. It’s known for its “three-dimensional” landscape—snow-capped peaks in the background, pine forests on the slopes, and rolling meadows in the foreground. The grassland is part of the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, and it’s a key stop for the annual Nadam Fair, which draws about 50,000 attendees in July. The fair features horse racing, wrestling, and archery competitions. The Nalati Scenic Area charges a 95 RMB entrance fee, and the cable car ride up to the viewpoint costs an additional 80 RMB. According to the Xinjiang Tourism Bureau, the grassland sees 1.2 million visitors annually, making it the most crowded stop on the route. Go early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the bus tours.

4. Bayinbuluke Grassland (Bayanbulak Grassland)
At 2,400 meters elevation, the Bayinbuluke Grassland is the second-largest alpine grassland in China, covering 23,000 square kilometers. This is the only place in the world where you can see the “nine bends of the sun” phenomenon—where the Kaidu River meanders in nine distinct curves, and at sunset, the sun appears to set in each bend simultaneously. The phenomenon is visible from mid-June to mid-August, and the best viewing spot is at the Swan Lake viewpoint, which costs 65 RMB. The grassland is also the habitat of the whooper swan, with a population of about 1,200 individuals recorded by the Xinjiang Bird Migration Research Institute. The temperature here can drop to 5°C overnight, so bring thermal layers. The area receives about 400,000 visitors per year, but the vastness means you can easily find solitude.

5. Tianshan Grand Canyon (Kuche Grand Canyon)
Near the southern terminus in Kuche, the Tianshan Grand Canyon is a 5-kilometer-long gorge with walls that rise 200 meters high. The canyon is composed of red sandstone and conglomerate, with some sections dating back to the Jurassic period. The canyon has a unique “one-line sky” feature—a narrow passage where the sky is just a sliver above you. The entrance fee is 40 RMB, and the full hike takes about 2 hours. According to the Kuche County Tourism Office, the canyon receives 250,000 visitors annually, and it’s often less crowded than the grasslands. The canyon’s temperature is about 5°C cooler than the surrounding area, so it’s a good spot to escape the summer heat.

6. Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (Kizil Caves)
Located 70 kilometers southwest of Kuche, the Kizil Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 236 caves, 135 of which are open to the public. The caves date back to the 3rd century AD, making them the oldest Buddhist cave complex in China. The murals inside depict scenes from the Jataka tales and the life of the Buddha, with some sections showing Greek and Persian influences. The site charges a 70 RMB entrance fee, and photography is banned inside the caves to preserve the pigments. The Xinjiang Cultural Heritage Bureau reports that the caves receive 100,000 visitors annually, and the best time to visit is early morning to avoid the heat. The caves are a 2-hour drive from the Duku Highway, so plan a half-day detour.

7. Duku Highway Graveyard (Monument to the Builders)
At the 217-kilometer mark, there’s a memorial to the 168 soldiers who died building the highway between 1974 and 1983. The monument is a 10-meter-tall granite obelisk with a list of names. The highway was built by the People’s Liberation Army Engineering Corps, and the construction involved blasting through 3,000 meters of solid rock. The memorial receives about 20,000 visitors per year, and it’s a sobering stop. The site is free to enter, and there’s a small museum with photos and tools from the construction. The temperature here is often 10°C cooler than the surrounding area due to the elevation.

8. Tianshan Secret Lake (Tianshan Shenhu)
About 30 kilometers north of Kuche, Tianshan Secret Lake is a high-altitude lake at 3,000 meters elevation. The lake is 1.5 kilometers long and 800 meters wide, with a depth of 50 meters. The water is a deep blue-green, and the lake is surrounded by spruce forests. The local legend says the lake is bottomless, but a 2019 survey by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography found the maximum depth to be 52 meters. The lake is a popular spot for camping, but there are no facilities, so you need to bring your own gear. The area receives about 30,000 visitors per year, and it’s one of the less-crowded stops on the route.

Practical Data for the Duku Highway
The highway has 13 tunnels, with the longest being the 3.4-kilometer Tianshan Tunnel at 3,200 meters elevation. The road has 168 curves, and the steepest gradient is 7%. The speed limit is 40 km/h on most sections, and the total driving time is about 12 hours without stops. The highway is closed from October to May due to snow, and even in summer, sudden snowstorms are possible at high elevations. The Xinjiang Highway Bureau reports that the road sees 1.5 million vehicles per year, with 80% of traffic occurring in July and August. For a full trip, plan for 3–5 days, with overnight stays in Tangbula, Nalati, or Bayinbuluke.

Weather and Safety Tips
The elevation ranges from 1,000 meters in Dushanzi to 3,400 meters at the highest pass. The temperature can vary by 20°C from the base to the summit. In July, the average temperature at the grasslands is 15°C, but it can drop to 5°C at night. At the highest pass, the temperature can be 0°C even in summer. The road is prone to landslides and rockfalls, especially after rain. The Xinjiang Highway Bureau reports an average of 15 landslides per year on the route. Carry a first-aid kit, extra food, and water, and check the weather forecast before you go. The road is also known for its lack of gas stations—there are only three along the route, so fill up in Dushanzi or Kuche.

Local Cuisine and Culture
The Duku Highway passes through areas inhabited by the Kazakh, Uyghur, and Han Chinese populations. In Tangbula and Nalati, you can try Kazakh dishes like beshbarmak (boiled meat with noodles) and kazy (horse meat sausage). In Kuche, the Uyghur cuisine includes lamb kebabs with cumin, naan bread, and pilaf (plov). The local markets in Kuche are famous for their dried fruits, including raisins, apricots, and figs. The Xinjiang Agriculture Bureau reports that the Kuche region produces 50,000 tons of dried fruit annually. For a cultural experience, visit the Kuche Grand Mosque, which dates back to the 18th century and can hold 5,000 worshippers.

Environmental Impact and Conservation
The Duku Highway is a protected area within the Tianshan World Heritage Site, designated by UNESCO in 2013. The highway passes through the Tianshan National Park, which covers 6,500 square kilometers. The park is home to 1,200 plant species and 200 animal species, including the snow leopard, which has a population of about 50 individuals in the park. The Xinjiang Forestry Bureau reports that the park has 30 rangers who patrol the area, and visitors are fined 500 RMB for littering. The grassland ecosystems are fragile, and the local government limits the number of yurts to 200 per area to prevent overgrazing. The highway’s carbon footprint is estimated at 10,000 tons of CO2 per year from vehicle traffic, but the park offsets this through reforestation projects.

Historical Significance
The Duku Highway was built as a strategic military road to connect northern and southern Xinjiang. Construction began in 1974 and was completed in 1983, involving 13,000 soldiers and 1,000 engineers. The road was built at a cost of 1.2 billion RMB (in 1983 currency), and it shortened the distance between Dushanzi and Kuche from 1,000 kilometers to 561 kilometers. The highway is named after the two endpoints, Dushanzi and Kuche. The road was originally a dirt track, but it was paved in 1995. The Xinjiang Highway Bureau reports that the road has been upgraded 15 times since 2000, with the most recent upgrade in 2020 adding a new tunnel and three bridges.

Wildlife Spotting Tips
The best time for wildlife spotting is early morning or late afternoon. In the grasslands, you can see herds of yaks, sheep, and horses. In the Tianshan Grand Canyon, keep an eye out for the golden eagle, which has a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters. The Xinjiang Wildlife Research Institute reports that the park has 30 golden eagles, 50 red foxes, and 100 marmots. The marmots are often seen standing on their hind legs near the road, and they are a favorite photo subject for tourists. The snow leopard is rarely seen, but tracks have been reported in the highest elevations. The park has a wildlife hotline for reporting sightings, and the data is used for conservation research.