Across Xinjiang’s vast landscape, two distinct routes share the name Ahe Highway—each offering one of China’s most extraordinary self-driving adventures. Whether you choose the northern route from Altay to Hemu in northern Xinjiang, or the southern route cutting through the Taklamakan Desert in southern Xinjiang, both promise an unforgettable, awe-inspiring journey for international travelers in…
On December 26, 2025, a super project that rewrote the history of global transportation officially opened to traffic: the Xinjiang Tianshan Shengli Tunnel. Stretching 22.13 kilometers in total length, this tunnel is not only the world’s longest expressway tunnel but also a “time-space shortcut” linking northern and southern Xinjiang, slashing the travel time to cross…
As scorching summer heat sweeps across most parts of the world, at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains in northwest China, a land hailed as “Southern-Style Scenery Beyond the Great Wall” embraces its most vibrant season. A trip to Yili, Xinjiang—especially from June to August—is a perfect journey to explore alpine grasslands, chase purple lavender…
In early April, while most parts of China are just welcoming the first signs of spring, a centuries-old natural spectacle unfolds quietly in the valleys of Yili, Xinjiang. A trip to Turgen Apricot Valley takes you deep into the world’s largest primitive wild apricot forest, offering a breathtaking visual and spiritual journey amid snow-capped mountains,…
As March’s sun begins to warm the vast expanse of northwestern China, Xinjiang’s expansive lands slowly awaken from their winter slumber. At this time, short trips to Xinjiang in March offer a unique charm—snow and ice have yet to fully melt, spring blossoms are quietly budding, visitors are scarce, and the experience is unadulterated. This…
When planning a journey that allows you to touch upon millennia of history, marvel at natural wonders, immerse yourself in unique cultures, and savour authentic flavours, a trip to Southern Xinjiang is undoubtedly your ultimate destination. This vast expanse, situated in the southern part of China’s Xinjiang region, lies at the heart of the Silk…
In Xinjiang, there is a saying: ‘Better three days without meat than one day without naan.’ This round flatbread is not only the staple food of Xinjiang’s diverse ethnic groups, but also a cultural ambassador along the Silk Road, bearing over two millennia of historical memory. Naan, this round flatbread whose name derives from the…
Amidst the towering peaks of China’s Pamir Plateau in Xinjiang lies a legendary road hailed as the “electrocardiogram of the Kunlun Mountains” – the Panlong Ancient Road. This mountain route, spanning a mere 36 kilometres, boasts a staggering 639 hairpin bends as it ascends from 3,000 metres to 4,216 metres above sea level. For self-drive…
At the southwestern tip of China’s Xinjiang region lies a land hailed as the ‘ancestral home of myriad mountains and the source of countless rivers’—the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County. This region served as a vital gateway along the ancient Silk Road and stands as China’s sole border county sharing frontiers with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan….
In China’s Xinjiang region lies the Duku Highway, hailed as “a scenic route traversing the backbone of the Tianshan Mountains.” This 561-kilometer road, open for only 4 to 5 months annually, encapsulates 80% of Xinjiang’s most spectacular landscapes. It stands as a “must-drive road in a lifetime” for self-driving enthusiasts. The Duku Highway stretches from…