- Actual changes in opening hours for 2025-2026
- Why is the Duku Highway only open seasonally?
- Three steps to planning a Duku Highway trip
- If access to the Duku Highway is unavailable: Three alternative routes
- Itinerary design suggestion: Four days and three nights example
- Risk management and sense of responsibility
- Related FAQs
- Key points of opening hours and schedule:It will be closed from 20:00 on October 10, 2025, and is expected to be reopened in early June 2026, with the opening window still falling within the short period of just over four months in the summer.
source:news.china.com,finance.sina.com.cn. - Risk factors:The Tianshan Longitudinal Section is located at a high altitude, and heavy snow and ice can cause avalanches, rockfalls, and road surface cracks, so the transportation department must "close in winter and open in summer" every year.
- Travel strategy:Secure your vehicle permit and accommodation two months in advance, and prepare snow chains, a spare tire, and high-altitude thermal insulation; if you miss the opening period...You can switch routes to the Yizhao Highway, Karakoram Highway, etc..
Actual changes in opening hours for 2025-2026
After the official announcement of the closure on October 10, 2025, the convoy can only turn back at both ends of National Highway G217, maintaining the overall rhythm of "closing in early October and reopening in early June of the following year". Although this mechanism has been implemented for many years, what is special about this year is that the closure time is announced in advance, which makes it easier for the convoy to start withdrawing in September.
According to the road administration department's operational schedule, if the snow melts a little later in early June 2026, the trip may be delayed by one to two weeks. It is recommended to keep track of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Highway Bureau's announcements one month in advance.
Why is the Duku Highway only open seasonally?
Reason 1: Limits of natural conditions
- The main ridge of the Tianshan Mountains is covered with snow for a long time, and the nighttime temperature in autumn drops to minus ten degrees Celsius, making the asphalt layer prone to freezing and cracking.
- Every winter, heavy snow and strong winds can create snowdrifts several meters high at the mouth of the canyon, making snow removal costly.
- Frequent ice floes and rockfalls pose a high-risk factor for both drivers and maintenance personnel.
Reason 2: Limited operation and maintenance resources
Xinjiang's highway authorities need to complete pothole repairs, slope reinforcements, and bridge deck inspections intensively during the summer.If it were to remain open during the winter, the maintenance team and rescue equipment would have to be deployed in the cold regions for an extended period, which would be costly and labor-intensive. Therefore, it is only open during the summer when the climate is more stable, allowing tourism and freight to operate at off-peak times.
Three steps to planning a Duku Highway trip
| step | Core mission | Tools and Precautions |
|---|---|---|
| 60 days in advance | Lock in your vehicle, pass, and accommodation | Select Kuqa, Baicheng, or Dushanzi as your supply points and pay attention to local traffic police announcements. |
| 30 days before departure | Check vehicle condition and equipment | Essential equipment includes a spare tire, snow chains, two-piece down jackets, and oxygen cylinders, and driver rotation arrangements should be made. |
| During the trip | Elasticity, visibility, fuel level, and communications | Fill up every gas station, use BeiDou or satellite positioning to ensure a minimum level, and be aware of blind spots in valleys. |
If access to the Duku Highway is unavailable: Three alternative routes
1. Karakoram Highway: The vastness of the Pamir Plateau
The route connects Kashgar and the Khunjerab Pass, offering views of Kongur Tagh, Muztagh Ata, and Karakol Lake along the way. Altitudes frequently reach 4,000 meters, and while some sections close earlier in winter, the closure period is longer than the Duku Highway. Obtaining a border pass and undergoing immigration checks are necessary procedures. This route is suitable for travelers seeking breathtaking mountain scenery and the cultural stories of the Silk Road.
2. Yizhao Highway: A blend of grasslands and glaciers
Open from June to September each year, the route is relatively short, making it suitable for combining Yining, Zhaosu, and Tekes into a multi-day trip. Pastures, valleys, and glaciers can be viewed in a single day, offering a visual experience similar to the Duku Highway but with a lower altitude. Due to the narrow road, traffic can easily become congested during peak season; it is recommended to depart on weekdays or in the early morning.
3. Northern Xinjiang Loop (Sayram Lake—Guozigou—Huocheng)
Combining G30, G312, and local roads, this route is feasible year-round, with ample supplies along the way. While it lacks the dramatic elevation changes of traversing the Tianshan Mountains, it offers a leisurely travel experience with attractions like Sayram Lake, the Guozigou Bridge, and the lavender fields of Huocheng. If you only wish to experience the scenery of northern Xinjiang in autumn and winter, this loop is the most reliable option.
Itinerary design suggestion: Four days and three nights example
Day 1: Urumqi - Dushanzi
We completed the vehicle inspection and resupply in the morning, then headed to Dushanzi along the national highway in the afternoon. In the evening, we checked the tires, oxygen cylinders, and navigation system, and confirmed the weather forecast for the next day.
Day 2: Dushanzi - Nala High Alpine Meadow
Enter the mountains in the early morning, arrive at the Bayinbuluke section around noon, and arrange a short hike; stay overnight in Nalati. If there is a closure warning, immediately retreat to Dushanzi.
Day 3: Nalati - Kuqa
We'll photograph the morning mist over the grasslands before sunrise, then head south across the Tianshan Mountains. We'll arrive in Kuqa in the afternoon and explore the ancient city and its culinary delights. In the evening, we'll perform vehicle maintenance and update you on our return journey.
Day 4: Kuqa—Urumqi or transfer to Kashgar
If the trip ends, return along the national highway. If you wish to extend your journey, you can connect to G314 to Kashgar, linking the Karakoram Highway to form a large loop connecting northern and southern Xinjiang.
Risk management and sense of responsibility
The allure of the Duku Highway lies in its ability to compress deserts, snow-capped peaks, grasslands, and canyons into a mere 561 kilometers, but this also means that any oversight can be magnified. It is recommended that each convoy designate a "risk officer" to collect road condition information, update road closure notices, and conduct a 10-minute safety check at each aid station. If a red weather warning is issued, a decisive evacuation or turnback should be undertaken to avoid wasting rescue resources on foreseeable dangers.
Related FAQs
Q: What is the most likely opening date in 2026?
A: The current estimate is still early June, but if the spring snowmelt is slow, local road administration may delay it by one to two weeks. It is recommended to check the announcements issued by the Xinjiang Traffic Police and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Highway Bureau daily starting from mid-May.
Q: Is a special permit required for driving?
A: No additional permits are required for the national highway section itself, but temporary passes are needed for some military or nature reserves. Car rental companies usually assist with the application; if you bring your own vehicle, you need to prepare your own ID card, vehicle registration, and temporary passes.
Q: Can electric vehicles travel on the Duku Highway?
A: There are very few fast charging stations along the route; most charging stations are for gasoline vehicles. Electric vehicles will need backup generators or trailers. Currently, it is recommended to choose gasoline vehicles or range-extended vehicles to avoid the range being halved in high-altitude and low-temperature environments.
Q: How should accommodation be arranged during peak season?
A: Accommodation resources in Nalati, Bayinbuluke, and Kuqa are most strained in July and August. It is best to book two months in advance and prepare a backup list. If you cannot book a hotel, you can stay at a herder's cooperative or a mobile home campsite.
Q: What should I do if there is a sudden road closure?
A: Immediately contact the nearest traffic police or road maintenance station to confirm the length of the closure and the estimated reopening date, and wait in a safe area. Do not attempt to detour through the closed construction access road to avoid violating traffic regulations or encountering falling rocks.
Q: Is it safe to travel alone?
A: It is recommended to travel in pairs or groups in high-altitude environments. If you must travel alone, be sure to join a shared tour with a local travel agency to ensure you have backup support in case of emergencies.
Q: Best time to take photos?
A: The light and shadow in the northern canyon are clearest before 8:00 AM; the sunset over Bayinbuluke Grassland and the evening glow over the Nine Turns and Eighteen Bends are classic scenes. Afternoon thunderstorms should be considered, so arrive early to secure your location and prepare moisture-proof gear.
