On June 18, 2023, the Duku Highway has been opened. The Duku Highway is not unfamiliar to many young people, and they all hope to challenge the charm of the Duku Highway by driving themselves. Due to the special geographical environment and natural climate, people may face some unfavorable environmental conditions, which is extremely challenging at this time
Latest Map of Duku Highway in 2023
Duku Highway refers to the section of National Highway 217 from Dushanzi in northern Xinjiang to Kuche in southern Xinjiang, with a total length of 562.25 kilometers
Scenic spots along the way
The end point of the s101 self driving route in Lujiaowan, adjacent to G217
is a pasture located at the northern foot of the middle section of the Tianshan Mountains, north of a mountain locally known as "Habiga", covering an area of more than 50 kilometers. It is composed of low valleys and hills, with gentle surface undulations, endless grasslands, high mountains, and flowing water. It is considered one of the best pastures by the locals
Anjihai Grand Canyon is located in the direction of Bayingou, 40 kilometers south of Kuitun. It has been featured in National Geographic magazine, with towering cliffs and a valley floor depth of up to 100 meters, which is very spectacular. The Grand Canyon has different scenery throughout the year, colorful and resembling an oil painting. It is definitely worth a visit and gives people a unique feeling
When the gentle breeze blows over the hills and grasslands, the white clouds and blue sky, like a child's painting, set off the tenderness of the snow capped mountains. You can't help but be immersed in its embrace
Jorma, this is a pure land, with glaciers, lakes, grasslands, and rivers scattered around, exceptionally beautiful
Every summer, this place becomes a sea of flowers. Under the blue sky and white clouds, the enchanting beauty is like refreshing coolness, instantly eliminating your fatigue and leaving only the fragrance of flowers
Bayinbuluke Grassland, the second largest grassland in China, not only has beautiful lakes, but also the "nine bends and eighteen bends" Kaidu River, surrounded by snow capped mountains, which is exceptionally beautiful
Ulan Sadek Lake
Located on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in the Tacheng area, it is 18 kilometers west of the three-way intersection of National Highway 217 and 96 kilometers away from Wusu City. Ulan Sadek Lake is 2500 meters above sea level and is a freshwater lake formed by the erosion of high mountain glaciers on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. On both sides of the lake are high mountains with an altitude of over 3500 meters, and the surface area of the lake is relatively large. The lake is mostly covered with dead trees, revealing the mysterious and eerie nature of the lake
The Kuche Grand Canyon, also known as the Kezilia Grand Canyon, is located at the southern foot of the Tianshan Mountains, 64 kilometers north of Kuche County (formerly known as Kuche) in Aksu Prefecture, with a latitude of 42 ° 8 ′ N and a longitude of 83 ° 5 ′ E. It has a longitudinal depth of about 5.5 kilometers from east to west
Practical Information
Travel Time
The highway is open from May to October, and the best travel time is in the summer of July or August. This road section is exceptionally beautiful in summer
It is not recommended to walk in winter, as the snow on the road is deep and avalanches can occur at any time, especially when crossing two Dabaka
Highway Information
Due to its unique geographical location, the Duku Highway is subject to winter traffic control from early November to May of the following year, and vehicles with more than 9 seats are prohibited from entering
Accommodation issues
You can make stops along the way in Bayinbrook or Narathi, and the accommodation and food conditions are good
Dangerous Road Section
1. Dangerous Road Section K590 (with a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour)
Main danger: There are egg sized sharp gravel on the road surface, and vehicle tires are often punctured or punctured 2. K602 section (with a speed limit of 30 kilometers) Main danger: Due to rainwater erosion, the roadbed often sinks and collapses. Although repaired regularly, there will still be 20-50cm "steps", and if not slowed down, there will be a risk of "jumping" 3. K609 section (speed limit of 40 kilometers) Main danger: This section has the words "Tiger Mouth" and is a high-risk area for landslides. It must be passed quickly and parking is strictly prohibited Key points: On one side of this road section is a vertical mountain, and on the other side is a cliff. The mountain at the top of the head protrudes outward, resembling a "tiger's mouth" shape. When the wind blows past, gravel slides off. It is not appropriate to stop here and take photos 4. K626-K627 section (with a speed limit of 40 kilometers) Main danger: This section is a severely collapsed section, and the anti-collision wall and flexible protective net of the mountain have been damaged by falling rocks 5. K630/K636-K637 section (with a speed limit of 40 kilometers) Main danger: Two large mountains are connected here, and rainwater forms a barrier lake on the mountaintop. When it accumulates to a certain amount, it will slide down from the mountain mixed with mud and stones 6. K648 section (with a speed limit of 30 kilometers) Main hazards: This section is covered in snow, with road surface subsidence, unevenness, severe distortion and deformation, and is a gravel road<184 7. K653 section (with a speed limit of 40 kilometers) Main danger: The cement grid slope protection set on the mountain has also been damaged, with broken cement blocks scattered to the side Section 8, K722, K765 (with a speed limit of 30 kilometers) Main danger: This section is prone to severe avalanches, with the thickest snow reaching up to 5 meters 9. K795-K798 section (with a speed limit of 30 kilometers) Main danger: This section is a mountainous mountain road with various geological hazards mixed in. Although it is not serious, caution is still needed when passing through Key points: Passing through this section, you will arrive at Nalati Grassland and Bayinbuluke Swan Lake. The water flow is quiet, and swans play in it, making the scenery very enchanting 10. K932-K935 Road (with a speed limit of 30 kilometers) Main danger: This section of the Duku Highway crosses the most steep section of the Tianshan Mountains north and south, with sharp turns before and after entering and exiting the tunnel. At the same time, mudslides and avalanches are also prone to occur at the north entrance of the cave, so be careful when passing through Key points: Along the way, there are attractions such as felt houses, fairy tale like small houses, and grasslands in the Xiaolongchi scenic area. The Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon is located next to the Duku Highway and is a canyon in the Kezilia Mountains, a branch of the Tianshan Mountains