Duku Highway

The “Road of Heroes” that crosses the Tianshan from north to south, taking you from desert and snow peaks to grasslands and red canyons in a single day. It is open only in summer and autumn each year.

The Duku Highway is the section of National Highway 217 from Dushanzi to Kuqa, about 561 kilometers long. Construction began in 1974 and the road opened in 1983. The People's Liberation Army engineering corps cut it through the Tianshan Mountains, and 168 soldiers lost their lives during construction. The Qiaoerma Martyrs' Cemetery lies beside the road.

From north to south: at Dushanzi, Kilometer Zero, is the Dushanzi Grand Canyon. The road then climbs the Kuitun River valley and crosses Haxilegen Pass (about 3,400 m, the highest point on the route). Glaciers are visible near the tunnel entrance year-round. After descending to Qiaoerma, you can detour east to the Tangbula Hundred-Mile Gallery. The main route continues over Yuximolegai Pass to Nalati, then passes the Gongnaisi Forest Farm and Aiken Pass to reach the Bayanbulak Grassland, with its Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns and Swan Lake. Next, cross Tilimaiti Pass, pass the Great and Small Dragon Pools, enter the Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon of red sandstone, and finally reach Kuqa.

The whole road is paved, but it has tight bends and steep grades, many narrow sections and low speed limits. It is subject to time-based traffic controls and is closed at night, and mostly small passenger vehicles are used. Allow at least two days, or 3–4 days if you include Nalati and Bayanbulak. Qiaoerma, Nalati and Bayanbulak have accommodation and petrol. Temperatures near the passes can approach zero, so bring warm clothing. Watch for rockfalls after rain. Karamay and Kuitun can serve as starting cities at the northern end.

Duku Highway

Along the route