Xinjiang Tour Charter When Does Duku Highway Open in Which Month Charter Cost and Route Guide Recommended Routes Cost and Price

Contact Manager Maizi at phone number 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send your itinerary and get a quote.

Explore the Hidden Gems of Xinjiang:Comprehensive Guide to the Grand Opening of the Duku Highway and In-Depth Custom Vehicle Tours
🌄 Duku Highway:The ‘Scenic Avenue’ Recommended to be Open for Four Months a Year
As an iconic scenic spot in Xinjiang tourism, the Duku Highway (G217) is recommended to be open for about four months each summer, connecting the magnificent landscapes of northern and southern Xinjiang. According to the announcement released by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Department of Transport on May 29, 2026, the Duku Highway officially opened to traffic along its entire length on June 1, 2026, and will remain open until the end of September (subject to actual weather and road conditions). Spanning 561 kilometers, this highway traverses the Tianshan Mountains, offering diverse landscapes including snow-capped mountains, grasslands, canyons, and lakes along the way, earning it the title of ‘China’s Most Beautiful Highway’.
🚗 Custom Vehicle Tours on the Duku Highway:The Perfect Combination of Freedom and Depth
The scenic spots along the Duku Highway are scattered, and public transportation coverage is limited, making custom vehicle tours a popular choice for exploring this scenic avenue. Custom vehicle tours not only allow you to freely control the pace of your itinerary but also enable you to delve into niche attractions and avoid crowds. In 2026, the custom vehicle market in Xinjiang offers a full range of vehicle options from 5-seater sedans to 55-seater luxury coaches, with fees covering vehicle usage, fuel, tolls, driver’s salary, and basic insurance. Some vehicles also provide bilingual services or are equipped with a tour guide兼任 (tour guide and driver).
📅 Simple Itinerary Reference:7-Day In-Depth Loop Tour of the Duku Highway
The following itinerary, based on a 7-day trip, covers the精华 (highlights) of the northern, middle, and southern sections of the Duku Highway and is suitable for a team of 4-6 people traveling in a 7-seater business vehicle:
Day 1:Urumqi → Sayram Lake

Explore the Hidden Gems of Xinjiang: Comprehensive Guide to the Grand Opening of the Duku Highway and In-Depth Custom Vehicle ToursMorning:Depart from Urumqi and head west along the Lianhuo Expressway, enjoying the Gobi Desert scenery along the way.
Afternoon:Arrive at Sayram Lake and tour attractions such as Kele Yongzhu and Songshu Tou (Pine Tree Head), capturing reflections of the snow-capped mountains.
Evening:Check into a hotel near Sayram Lake or in Qingshuihe Town.
Day 2:Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Huocheng Lavender Manor
Morning:Tour Sayram Lake again to capture the lake and mountain scenery amidst morning mist.
Noon:Pass by the Guozigou Bridge and stop to admire the magnificent scenery of the canyon intertwined with snow-capped mountains.
Afternoon:Head to the Huocheng Lavender Manor and immerse yourself in a sea of purple flowers (peak bloom in mid-to-late June).
Evening:Check into a hotel in Yining City and savor特色 (specialty) cuisines from various ethnic groups.

🌄 Duku Highway: The ‘Scenic Avenue’ Recommended to be Open for Four Months a YearDay 3:Yining → Nalati Grassland
Morning:Travel along the Ili River Valley, enjoying the grassland scenery along the way.
Afternoon:Arrive at Nalati Grassland and choose to tour the aerial grassland or river valley grassland areas, experiencing horseback riding, hiking, and other activities.
Evening:Check into a hotel in Nalati Town and feel the tranquility of the grassland at night.
Day 4:Nalati → Bayinbuluk Grassland
Morning:Continue south along the Duku Highway, passing through tunnels and daban (mountain passes), experiencing the climate changes of ‘four seasons in one day’.
Afternoon:Arrive at Bayinbuluk Grassland and tour the Nine Curves Eighteen Bends, capturing the golden grassland at sunset.
Evening:Check into a hotel in Bayinbuluk Town and taste local cuisines.

As an iconic scenic spot in Xinjiang tourism, the Duku Highway (G217) is recommended to be open for about four months each summer, connecting the magnificent landscapes of northern and southern Xinjiang. According to the announcement released by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Department of Transport on May 29, 2026, the Duku Highway officially opened to traffic along its entire length on June 1, 2026, and will remain open until the end of September (subject to actual weather and road conditions). Spanning 561 kilometers, this highway traverses the Tianshan Mountains, offering diverse landscapes including snow-capped mountains, grasslands, canyons, and lakes along the way, earning it the title of ‘China’s Most Beautiful Highway’.Day 5:Bayinbuluk → Large and Small Dragon Ponds → Kuqa
Morning:Leave Bayinbuluk and admire alpine lakes such as the Large and Small Dragon Ponds along the way.
Afternoon:Travel through the southern section of the Duku Highway and arrive in Kuqa City to visit the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (advance reservation required).
Evening:Check into a hotel in Kuqa City and experience the charm of southern Xinjiang.
Day 6:Kuqa → Secret Tianshan Grand Canyon → Korla
Morning:Tour the Secret Tianshan Grand Canyon and explore the geological wonders of the red mountains.
Afternoon:Drive to Korla City, enjoying the scenery of the Tarim Basin along the way.
Evening:Check into a hotel in Korla City and savor特色 (specialty) fruits such as fragrant pears.

🚗 Custom Vehicle Tours on the Duku Highway: The Perfect Combination of Freedom and DepthDay 7:Korla → Urumqi
Morning:Depending on your return time, you can choose to tour Bosteng Lake or the Lop Nur Village.
Afternoon:Return to Urumqi along the Tuhe Expressway and conclude your trip.
💰 Explanation of Custom Vehicle Tour Fees (Reference for 2026)
Custom vehicle tour fees are influenced by factors such as vehicle type, season, and itinerary route. The following is the average daily reference price for a 7-seater business vehicle during peak season (July-August):
Basic Fees:1500-2300 yuan/day (including vehicle usage, fuel, tolls, driver’s salary, and basic insurance).
Additional Services:If bilingual services or a tour guide兼任 (tour guide and driver) are required, an additional fee will be charged, subject to actual consultation.
Driver’s Accommodation and Meals:Usually shared by tourists, with a reference standard of 200-300 yuan/day/person. It is recommended to clarify this item in the contract.

The scenic spots along the Duku Highway are scattered, and public transportation coverage is limited, making custom vehicle tours a popular choice for exploring this scenic avenue. Custom vehicle tours not only allow you to freely control the pace of your itinerary but also enable you to delve into niche attractions and avoid crowds. In 2026, the custom vehicle market in Xinjiang offers a full range of vehicle options from 5-seater sedans to 55-seater luxury coaches, with fees covering vehicle usage, fuel, tolls, driver’s salary, and basic insurance. Some vehicles also provide bilingual services or are equipped with a tour guide兼任 (tour guide and driver).Total Fee Estimate:For a 7-day itinerary, the total vehicle fee is approximately 10,500-16,100 yuan, plus the driver’s accommodation and meal fees of approximately 1,400-2,100 yuan, resulting in a per-person share of approximately 2,975-4,550 yuan (for a group of 4).
📝 Registration Method and Fee Explanation
You can register through the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency and consult with Customer Service Manager Zhang Jing of the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency to obtain one-on-one itinerary suggestions and detailed quotes. The items included in the fees and the service content are subject to the tourism contract signed by both parties, with specifics subject to actual consultation and contracting.
📌 Fee Explanation and Service Explanation
Fees Include:Vehicle usage fees, driver’s salary, fuel, tolls, parking fees, and basic vehicle insurance for vehicles meeting operational qualifications.
Fees Do Not Include:Round-trip transportation fees to and from Xinjiang from your departure location, accommodation and meal fees during the itinerary, scenic spot admission and shuttle bus fees, driver’s accommodation and meal fees (unless explicitly included in the contract), personal consumption, and items not listed in the itinerary.
Service Features:Provide 24-hour customer service response to assist in resolving issues encountered during the itinerary; customize the itinerary according to team needs and flexibly adjust the touring pace.
Precautions:In case of force majeure factors such as weather, road conditions, and scenic spot policies, both parties can reasonably adjust the itinerary through mutual agreement; for single registrants, efforts will be made to coordinate room sharing, with special circumstances requiring separate negotiation.
The opening of the Duku Highway has brought new vitality to Xinjiang tourism. Choosing a custom vehicle tour not only allows you to deeply explore the精华 (highlights) of this scenic avenue but also enjoy a free and comfortable travel experience. Tourists planning to visit Xinjiang may wish to contact the Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency in advance to embark on an unforgettable Duku Highway journey!

Contact Manager Maizi at 13201333409 or WeChat 13201333409 to send your itinerary and get a quote.