Discover the New Roads Changing the Way Travelers Explore Xinjiang

Xinjiang is a destination where the journey is often just as important as the destination.

For many years, traveling through the region meant long driving days, winding mountain roads and limited connections between some of its most spectacular landscapes. Today, a growing network of new and upgraded highways is changing that experience.

Some of these roads were built primarily to improve transportation and logistics. Others have become important tourism routes in their own right, opening up mountain valleys, grasslands and remote scenic areas to travelers.

Among the roads that deserve particular attention are:

· G577 Jinghe–Yining Highway 

· G681 Altay–Hemu Highway 

· G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway 

· G217 Duku Highway 

Together, these roads reveal four very different sides of Xinjiang.

G577 provides a faster and safer route into the Ili Valley.
G681 opens a new approach to Hemu and the Kanas region.
G0711 creates a much faster connection between northern and southern Xinjiang.
And the Duku Highway remains one of China's most famous scenic driving routes.

For travelers planning a Xinjiang road trip, understanding these roads can make a major difference when deciding where to go, how long to drive and which route is most suitable for your trip.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

1. G577 Jinghe–Yining Highway

A New Gateway to the Ili Valley

The G577 Jinghe–Yining route is one of the most important new transportation projects in western Xinjiang.

The highway begins near Shashanzi in Jinghe County, connecting with the G30 Lianhuo Expressway, and ends near Subutai Township in Nilka County, where it connects with G578.

The route is approximately 92.5 kilometers long.

It is designed as a four-lane first-class highway with a design speed of 100 km/h. Almost half of the route consists of bridges and tunnels, reflecting the difficult mountainous terrain through which it passes.

Why Was G577 Built?

A Safer Alternative Through the Tianshan Mountains

The traditional route into the Ili Valley through the Guozigou area can be affected by heavy snowfall, avalanches, landslides, and difficult mountain conditions, while G577 provides an alternative transportation corridor that reduces dependence on the more vulnerable sections around Guozigou. For travelers, this can make access to the Ili region faster, more reliable, and more comfortable, reducing the driving distance between Urumqi and Yining by approximately 90 kilometers and potentially shortening the journey from around eight hours to just over six hours under suitable conditions.

The Engineering Behind G577

A Road Dominated by Bridges and Tunnels

The mountainous terrain makes G577 particularly impressive from an engineering perspective.

Approximately 49.16% of the route consists of bridges and tunnels.

Two major structures stand out.

Beitianshan Extra-Long Tunnel

The tunnel is approximately:

11.88 kilometers long

It is one of the key engineering structures on the route.

Instead of climbing repeatedly over difficult mountain terrain, travelers can now pass directly through the Tianshan range.

Borbosong Super Bridge

The bridge is approximately:

938 meters long

Its highest main pier reaches around:

144 meters

These structures demonstrate how modern infrastructure is changing transportation across Xinjiang's mountainous regions.

Is G577 a Scenic Road?

More About Access Than Sightseeing

Unlike the Duku Highway, G577 should not be viewed primarily as a sightseeing road.

Its greatest value for tourists is that it makes the Ili Valley easier to reach.

For travelers planning a route through Yining, Nalati, Zhaosu, Nilka, and Sayram Lake, G577 can be an important part of the overall transportation network.

G577 can be an important part of the overall transportation network.

The road itself may not be the main attraction, but the time saved on transportation can give travelers more time to explore the Ili Valley.

How to Use G577 in a Xinjiang Itinerary

A practical route might be:

Urumqi → Jinghe → G577 → Ili Valley → Yining

From Yining, travelers can continue to a variety of destinations across the Ili Valley, including Sayram Lake, Nalati, Zhaosu, Tekes, and Qapqal.

This makes G577 particularly useful for travelers who want to combine efficient transportation with an Ili-focused itinerary.

2. G681 Altay–Hemu Highway

A New Road into the Kanas and Hemu Region

If G577 is primarily about improving access, G681 is much more closely connected with tourism.

The G681 runs from Altay City to Hemu Village in Burqin County's Hemu Kazakh Township.

The route is approximately:

209.45 kilometers

It is classified as a mountainous third-class highway, with a 7.5-meter roadbed and 6.5-meter pavement width.

Why G681 Matters to Travelers

A New Approach to Northern Xinjiang's Scenic Heartland

The Altay region is home to some of Xinjiang’s most famous landscapes, including Kanas, Hemu, the Altay Mountains, vast grasslands, dense forests, and spectacular alpine valleys.

Previously, reaching these destinations could involve long journeys from major transportation hubs.

G681 helps create a larger tourism transportation loop.

It connects:

Altay → Hemu → Burqin → Altay

This creates an important tourism circulation route in the region.

A Road Designed Around Tourism

31 Viewing and Parking Areas

One of the most interesting features of G681 is that the road has been developed with tourism in mind.

Around 31 parking and viewing areas have been constructed along the route.

These routes provide access to a variety of spectacular landscapes, including Wuxilike Wetland Park, Tongba Primeval Forest, Tolehite Grassland, and Yileke Stone Forest.

This means travelers do not necessarily have to treat the road as a simple point-to-point transfer.

The journey itself can become part of the sightseeing experience.

Altay to Hemu: What Has Changed?

Driving Time Reduced Significantly

The new route has reduced the journey from Altay City to Hemu from approximately:

6 hours → 3 hours

under normal road conditions.

For tourists, this is a major improvement.

It means a traveler staying in Altay can reach Hemu much more efficiently, while a longer northern Xinjiang itinerary can be organized with greater flexibility.

What Can You See Along G681?

Forests, Grasslands and Mountain Landscapes

The road passes through a landscape very different from southern Xinjiang.

Travelers can expect a diverse landscape featuring dense forests, open grasslands, mountain valleys, dramatic rock formations, and seasonal wetlands.

The scenery changes significantly with elevation and season.

In summer, grasslands can be particularly green.

In autumn, the Altay Mountains become famous for golden forests.

This makes the road particularly attractive to photographers.

Best Season for G681

Autumn Is Especially Beautiful

Although the route can be useful during different seasons, autumn is one of the most visually impressive periods.

The forests around the Altay region develop intense golden and yellow colors.

For photographers, a route such as:

Altay → G681 → Hemu → Kanas → Burqin

can become one of the highlights of a northern Xinjiang journey.

G681 and a Northern Xinjiang Road Trip

A practical itinerary：

Altay → Hemu → Kanas → Burqin

or:

Urumqi → Altay → Hemu → Kanas → Burqin → Urho → Yining

The exact route should depend on road conditions, seasonal opening and the amount of time available.

3. G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway

Crossing the Tianshan Mountains Faster Than Ever

G0711 is completely different from the previous two roads.

This is a major expressway connecting northern and southern Xinjiang.

The route starts at the Xishannan Interchange on Urumqi's western ring expressway and ends in Yuli County.

The total length is approximately:

324.7 kilometers

It is a four-lane expressway designed for speeds of up to 120 km/h.

The Tian Shan Shengli Tunnel

The Engineering Highlight of G0711

The most famous structure on the route is the:

Tianshan Shengli Tunnel

The tunnel is approximately:

22.13 kilometers long

It is described in the supplied reference material as the world's longest expressway tunnel.

The project used an unusual engineering approach involving:

· Three tunnels

· Four vertical shafts

The construction created several engineering records, including an extremely deep vertical shaft.

Why Is G0711 Important for Travelers?

Connecting Northern and Southern Xinjiang

The Tianshan Mountains form one of the most important geographical barriers in Xinjiang.

Historically, crossing the mountains could require a long journey.

G0711 creates a much faster connection.

The driving time between Urumqi and Korla has been reduced from approximately:

7 hours → 3.5 hours

under normal conditions.

G0711 and the Southern Xinjiang Route

This road is particularly useful for travelers planning a journey from:

Urumqi → Korla → Kuqa → Aksu → Kashgar

Instead of spending an entire day traveling from Urumqi to Korla, travelers can reach the southern side of the Tianshan Mountains much faster.

This creates more time for travelers to explore destinations such as Bosten Lake, Korla, Kuqa, the Kizil Thousand-Buddha Caves, the Tianshan Grand Canyon, and the Taklamakan Desert.

Is G0711 a Scenic Road?

Its Main Attraction Is Efficiency

Like G577, G0711 should not be confused with a dedicated scenic highway.

The biggest benefit for tourists is:

Time saved.

For a 7-10 day Xinjiang itinerary, reducing a major transfer from seven hours to approximately three and a half can make a significant difference.

That extra time can be used for sightseeing rather than sitting in a vehicle.

4. Duku Highway: G217

One of China's Most Famous Scenic Roads

The Duku Highway is perhaps the best-known road on this list and, unlike G577 and G0711, is itself a major tourism attraction. As part of G217 National Highway, it connects Dushanzi in the north with Kuqa in the south and stretches for approximately 561 kilometers. The section between Nalati and Bayinbuluke is particularly famous and is regarded as one of the scenic highlights of the entire route.

Why Is the Duku Highway So Famous?

Four Seasons in One Journey

The biggest attraction of the Duku Highway is its extraordinary variety of scenery, with a single road trip passing through alpine mountains, snowfields, forests, grasslands, river valleys, and deep gorges. The dramatic changes in elevation create the unique experience of traveling through several different geographical regions within a single day.

Nalati to Bayinbuluke

One of the Scenic Highlights

The section between Nalati and Bayinbuluke is especially popular.

The route connects two famous grassland destinations:

Nalati Grassland

and

Bayinbuluke Grassland

The scenery includes:

· Rolling grasslands

· Snow-covered mountains

· Rivers

· Forested mountain slopes

It is particularly attractive in summer.

Nalati Grassland

Mountain Pastures and Wide Open Landscapes

Nalati is one of the most famous grassland destinations in Xinjiang.

The landscape combines:

· Green alpine meadows

· Snow mountains

· Rivers

· Kazakh pastoral culture

Travelers can spend time exploring the grassland before continuing toward Bayinbuluke.

Bayinbuluke Grassland

Vast Highland Meadows

Bayinbuluke is famous for its enormous grassland landscape.

One of the best-known sights is the Nine Bends and Eighteen Turns of the Kaidu River.

At sunset, the river can reflect the sky and create multiple shining curves across the grassland.

This is one of the most recognizable photographic scenes along the Duku route.

When Is the Duku Highway Open?

Seasonal Access Is Essential

The Duku Highway crosses high mountain terrain and is strongly affected by weather.

Unlike ordinary highways, it is not normally open throughout the winter.

The reference material notes that the road is generally open only during the warmer months, approximately June to October, with traffic restrictions during winter. Actual opening and closing dates can vary according to snow, weather and road conditions.

Therefore, anyone planning a Duku Highway road trip should check the latest traffic information before departure.

Which of These Roads Should You Choose?

Not every road serves the same purpose.

Choose G577 If:

You want to:

· Reach the Ili Valley efficiently

· Travel between Jinghe and Yining

· Avoid relying entirely on the traditional Guozigou route

Choose G681 If:

You want to:

· Explore Altay

· Visit Hemu

· Travel around Kanas

· Experience northern Xinjiang forests and grasslands

Choose G0711 If:

You want to:

· Travel from northern to southern Xinjiang

· Reduce the Urumqi–Korla driving time

· Combine northern and southern Xinjiang in one trip

Choose Duku Highway If:

You want:

· A true road-trip experience

· Mountain scenery

· Grasslands

· Photography

· One of China's most famous scenic drives

Best Xinjiang Road Trip Combinations

The real advantage of these roads becomes clear when they are combined into a larger itinerary.

Route 1: Northern Xinjiang Scenic Road Trip

Around 8-10 Days

Urumqi → Altay → Hemu → Kanas → Burqin → Urho → Yining

G681 can be used to improve access between Altay and Hemu.

The route combines:

· Forests

· Lakes

· Grasslands

· Mountains

· Kazakh culture

Route 2: Ili Valley Road Trip

Around 7-9 Days

Urumqi → Jinghe → G577 → Yining → Sayram Lake → Nalati → Zhaosu → Yining

This route focuses on:

· Ili Valley

· Alpine grasslands

· Lakes

· Snow mountains

G577 makes the transportation section between the northern gateway and Ili Valley more efficient.

Route 3: Duku Highway Adventure

Around 5-7 Days

Dushanzi → Duku Highway → Nalati → Bayinbuluke → Kuqa

This is the route for travelers who want the road itself to be the main attraction.

The journey combines:

· Tianshan mountains

· Forests

· Grasslands

· High mountain passes

· Southern Xinjiang landscapes

Route 4: Northern and Southern Xinjiang Combination

Around 12-15 Days

A longer journey can combine the new expressway with scenic roads.

For example:

Urumqi → Ili → Northern Xinjiang → Urumqi → G0711 → Korla → Kuqa → Kashgar

G0711 can significantly shorten the northern-to-southern transfer.

This allows travelers to experience two very different sides of Xinjiang:

Northern Xinjiang

· Lakes

· Forests

· Grasslands

· Snow mountains

Southern Xinjiang

· Deserts

· Ancient cities

· Islamic architecture

· Silk Road heritage

How to Plan a Xinjiang Road Trip

Don't Choose Roads Only by Their Names

A road can be famous without being suitable for every traveler.

When planning your journey, consider:

· Season

· Road opening status

· Driving distance

· Weather

· Altitude

· Number of driving hours

· Scenic stops

A good Xinjiang road trip should balance driving and sightseeing.

Leave Enough Time for the Landscape

Xinjiang is enormous.

A common mistake is planning a route based only on the distance between cities.

A 300-kilometer journey in Xinjiang can feel completely different from a 300-kilometer journey in eastern China.

Mountain roads, weather and sightseeing stops all affect the actual travel time.

For scenic routes such as the Duku Highway and G681, it is recommended to allow extra time for viewpoint stops, photography, short walks, and unexpected weather conditions, as these routes are best enjoyed at a relaxed pace rather than simply as transportation corridors.

Check Seasonal Road Conditions

This is especially important for:

Duku Highway

and other high-altitude mountain routes.

Road conditions can change because of:

· Snow

· Heavy rain

· Landslides

· Temperature changes

Always confirm current traffic conditions before setting out.

The Future of Xinjiang Road Travel

Xinjiang's transportation network is developing rapidly.

New highways and tunnels are making once-difficult journeys significantly easier.

But the most interesting thing is that these roads are doing more than simply reducing driving times.

They are changing the way travelers can design their routes.

G577 makes the Ili Valley more accessible.

G681 strengthens the tourism network around Altay, Hemu and Kanas.

G0711 makes crossing the Tianshan Mountains much faster.

And the Duku Highway remains a reminder that sometimes the road itself can be the destination.

For travelers, this means Xinjiang is becoming easier to explore without losing the sense of scale and adventure that makes the region so special.

Plan Your Xinjiang Road Trip with Xinjiang Travel

A Xinjiang road trip requires more than simply connecting destinations on a map; a well-designed route should take into account seasonal road conditions, realistic driving times, mountain weather, scenic stops, hotel locations, vehicle requirements, and local road regulations. Xinjiang Travel can arrange customized private road trips throughout Xinjiang, including Northern Xinjiang road trips, Ili Valley tours, Kanas and Hemu journeys, Duku Highway tours, Southern Xinjiang road trips, and cross-region Xinjiang itineraries, with private vehicles, English-speaking guides, and hotel arrangements.

Whether you want to drive through the forests of Altay, cross the grasslands of the Ili Valley, experience the Duku Highway or travel from northern to southern Xinjiang through the Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang Travel can design a route around your schedule, interests and preferred travel pace.

Xinjiang Travel
Email: info@Xinjiangtravel.org
Phone / WhatsApp: +86 18999233079

Take the road less traveled and discover Xinjiang one landscape at a time.