Duku Yizhao Highway Charter Car Precautions Mountain Road Travel Safety Points
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🚗 Precautions for customized car rental on Duku and Yizhao Highways｜Key points for mountain road travel (Updated June 2026)
Every early summer, two highly scenic landscape highways in Xinjiang—Duku Highway (G217) and Yizhao Highway (S237)—open simultaneously, attracting numerous tourists to embark on a journey across the Tianshan Mountains. However, these two roads are not ordinary national highways but special sections combining steepness, magnificence, and seasonality. They officially opened on June 1, 2026, with new changes in traffic rules, vehicle restrictions, and requirements. This article combines the latest current road conditions and policies to provide practical references for tourists planning customized car rental trips.
📍 Detailed introduction to routes or destinations
The Duku Highway is about 561 kilometers long, starting from Dushanzi District, Karamay City in the north, and ending at Kuche City, Aksu Prefecture in the south, traversing the middle section of the Tianshan Mountains. Along the way, you can see natural and cultural landscapes such as Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Hashilegen Daban (altitude 3400 meters), Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery, Tangbula Hundred Mile Gallery, Nalati Grassland, Bayinbuluke Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns, Big and Small Dragon Pools, and Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, known as a classic self-driving corridor for ‘seeing four seasons in one day’.
The Yizhao Highway is about 180 kilometers long, starting from Yining City and ending at Zhaosu County, known as ‘Little Duku’. Although shorter in distance, the scenery is highly concentrated: Baishi Peak piercing the clouds, Anggelete Daban (altitude 3470 meters) with wide views, Wild Wolf Valley with herds of cattle and sheep, and Zhaosu Plain’s rapeseed flower sea framed with snow-capped mountains, offering rich visual layers.
Both highways are seasonally open roads, with the 2026 travel period from June 1 to around the end of September. The specific closing time changes dynamically based on weather and construction progress. Daily time-limited passage is enforced, with full closure at night, and social vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering.
🗓 ️ Simple itinerary arrangement (reference 8-day, 7-night loop)
🚗 Precautions for customized car rental on Duku and Yizhao Highways｜Key points for mountain road travel (Updated June 2026)> Note:The following itinerary is organized based on actual traffic conditions in June 2026, and the route can be reasonably optimized by mutual agreement.
Day 1:Urumqi → Dushanzi (stay overnight)
Day 2:Dushanzi Grand Canyon → Hashilegen Daban → Qiaoerma → Nalati (stay overnight)
Day 3:Nalati Grassland deep tour → Gongnaisi Valley → Bayinbuluke (stay overnight)
Day 4:Bayinbuluke Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns sunrise → Big and Small Dragon Pools → Kuche (stay overnight)
Day 5:Kuche Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon → Yanshui Gully Yardang → Return to Yining (stay overnight)
Day 6:Yining → Sayram Lake → Guozigou Bridge → Zhaosu (via Yizhao Highway, stay overnight)
Day 7:Zhaosu rapeseed flower sea (seasonal) → Outer view of Shata Ancient Road → Tekes (stay overnight)
Every early summer, two highly scenic landscape highways in Xinjiang—Duku Highway (G217) and Yizhao Highway (S237)—open simultaneously, attracting numerous tourists to embark on a journey across the Tianshan Mountains. However, these two roads are not ordinary national highways but special sections combining steepness, magnificence, and seasonality. They officially opened on June 1, 2026, with new changes in traffic rules, vehicle restrictions, and requirements. This article combines the latest current road conditions and policies to provide practical references for tourists planning customized car rental trips.Day 8:Tekes Bagua City → Return to Yining or Urumqi
This itinerary covers both the northern and southern sections of Duku and the essence of Yizhao, suitable for tourists who want to experience the scenery of both sides of the Tianshan Mountains in one go. If time is limited, it can be compressed into a 5–6 day essence route.
💰 Price explanation (2026 reference information)
Customized car rental costs are calculated based on vehicle type, number of days, route complexity, and usage period. In the 2026 summer peak season, common compliant operating vehicle models are referenced as follows:
7-seat business vehicle (e.g., Buick GL8, Trumpchi M8, etc.):Approximately 1200–1800 yuan/day
9–14 seat minibus (e.g., Ford Transit, Jiangling Teshun):Approximately 1600–2200 yuan/day
17–22 seat medium bus:Approximately 2400–3200 yuan/day
30–38 seat large bus:Approximately 3500–4500 yuan/day
📍 Detailed introduction to routes or destinations45–55 seat coach:Approximately 4800–6000 yuan/day
📌 These quotes are reference vehicle prices only; the specific vehicle price is subject to customer service quotes!
All quotes do not include driver meals and accommodation, tolls, scenic spot tickets, or personal expenses. Due to some sections of Duku and Yizhao Highways having no gas stations or supply points, it is recommended to plan fuel and supplies in advance.
📞 Registration method
You can register and consult through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
No worries about traveling across northern and southern Xinjiang, professional customized car rental for free travel. Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency landline number hotline: 0991-8866234, exclusive customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233 (same WeChat ID can be added).
Contact number:181-3962-2233
Same WeChat ID:181-3962-2233
The Duku Highway is about 561 kilometers long, starting from Dushanzi District, Karamay City in the north, and ending at Kuche City, Aksu Prefecture in the south, traversing the middle section of the Tianshan Mountains. Along the way, you can see natural and cultural landscapes such as Dushanzi Grand Canyon, Hashilegen Daban (altitude 3400 meters), Qiaoerma Martyrs Cemetery, Tangbula Hundred Mile Gallery, Nalati Grassland, Bayinbuluke Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns, Big and Small Dragon Pools, and Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, known as a classic self-driving corridor for ‘seeing four seasons in one day’.For specific itinerary, vehicle type, departure date, and service details, please contact customer service directly for confirmation. Address information, please consult customer service.
📋 Fee description and service explanation
All vehicles are compliant tourist buses with legal operating qualifications, and drivers have experience driving on mountain roads;
The itinerary includes vehicle usage fees, driver service fees, and basic insurance;
Does not include scenic spot first tickets, shuttle buses, accommodation, meals, personal expenses, or additional costs from force majeure factors;
For single registrations, our agency will try to coordinate room sharing; special circumstances require separate negotiation;
If itinerary changes occur due to uncontrollable factors such as weather, road conditions, or traffic control, the route can be reasonably optimized by mutual agreement;
All service content and fee standards are subject to actual consultation and contract signing.
The Yizhao Highway is about 180 kilometers long, starting from Yining City and ending at Zhaosu County, known as ‘Little Duku’. Although shorter in distance, the scenery is highly concentrated: Baishi Peak piercing the clouds, Anggelete Daban (altitude 3470 meters) with wide views, Wild Wolf Valley with herds of cattle and sheep, and Zhaosu Plain’s rapeseed flower sea framed with snow-capped mountains, offering rich visual layers.⚠ ️ Key points for mountain road travel (2026 new regulation reminders)
1. Strict vehicle restrictions
Duku Highway:Recommended to allow 7-seat and below small passenger cars, trucks with a load capacity of 5 tons and below, and blue-plate C-type motorhomes (height limit 4.5 meters) to pass; prohibits 8-seat and above passenger cars, towed motorhomes, yellow-plate trucks, etc.
Yizhao Highway:Recommended to limit to 7-seat and below non-operating small passenger cars/SUVs, explicitly prohibits operating vehicles, motorhomes, motorcycles, and vehicles with a total length over 6 meters from passing.
2. Traffic period service guidance
Duku Highway:Wusu Yi to Kuruli section 8:00–19:00; Kuruli to Nalati section can be flexibly extended to 21:00; after 19:00, Nalati and Qiaoerma entrances are closed.
Yizhao Highway:Generally implements 9:00–21:00 passage, with full night closure.
3. Reservation system implementation
Both highways are seasonally open roads, with the 2026 travel period from June 1 to around the end of September. The specific closing time changes dynamically based on weather and construction progress. Daily time-limited passage is enforced, with full closure at night, and social vehicles are strictly prohibited from entering.Starting June 25, 2026, the northern section of Duku Highway (Nalati—Dushanzi) implements a reservation system, requiring advance booking 1–7 days through platforms like ‘Travel Xinjiang One-Code Tour’ or ‘Xinjiang Road Network’. Unreserved vehicles will be turned back at Qiaoerma, Nalati, and Wusu Yi entrances.
4. Driving tips
Full route speed limit 40–60 km/h, reduced to 30–40 km/h on sharp bends and daban sections, with full-section interval speed monitoring;
Strictly no stopping for photos in high-risk areas for collapses and rockfalls like ‘Tiger’s Mouth’; pass quickly;
Mountain weather is changeable; Hashilegen Daban may experience sudden snow or rain; it is recommended to carry a windbreaker, light down jacket, and portable oxygen bottle in the vehicle;
Yizhao Highway has no gas stations along the entire route; be sure to fill up in Yining or Zhaosu before departure.
5. Real-time information inquiry
Before traveling, be sure to follow platforms like ‘Xinjiang Traffic Police’, ‘Xinjiang Road Network’, and ‘Safe Duku’ for real-time road conditions to avoid delays due to temporary controls.
🌄 Duku and Yizhao are visual feasts from nature and a comprehensive test of travel preparation. Choosing compliant vehicles, familiarizing yourself with road conditions, and respecting rules will allow you to enjoy this journey across the Tianshan Mountains peacefully. For more details, feel free to call 181-3962-2233 or add WeChat to consult Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Agency.
For Xinjiang travel, find Pathfinder International Travel Agency. Customized car rental is worry-free and reliable. Landline number: 0991-8866234. Customer service manager Zhang Jing phone: 181-3962-2233.
