Kuqa Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in May)

Xinjiang highway travel | South end of Duku Road, Tianshan Nanxun, flame and snow southern end of Duoku Road, Kydiya Mountain, Kuche River along the long side of the road. Walking to the mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan, there is no stretch of grassland, and the canyon is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Tianshan Nanxun is a wind and rain eclipse of flame and snowy shovel billions of years, desolate and beautiful. Is there something like Antelope Valley? Rich in the Antelope Valley

Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon - Kuqa Grand Canyon

The mysterious "Tianshan Grand Canyon" is a canyon in the Kizilia range of the Tianshan Mountains, formed by reddish-brown rocks through billions of years of wind and rain erosion. The reddish-brown mountain mass of the "Tianshan Grand Canyon" soars into the sky, and under the sunlight, it looks like clusters of burning flames. The charm of the "Tianshan Grand Canyon" lies not only in its grandeur and precipitousness, but also in its depth, tranquility, and mystery. Standing at the bottom of the valley and looking up at the high mountains, one feels as if the steep peaks could press down at any moment, causing a sense of suffocation and dizziness. The Tianshan Grand Canyon, also known as the Kizilia Grand Canyon, is located in the northern part of Kuqa City in the Aksu region of Xinjiang, 64 kilometers north of the city (formerly known as Qiuci), at 42°8'N and 83°5'E. The canyon stretches from east to west for about 5.5 kilometers. It is formed by reddish-brown rocks sculpted by wind and rain, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, and the mountain shapes are varied and majestic, with peaks reaching into the sky, and valleys within valleys. Scenic spots such as the South Heaven Gate, Ghost Valley, Crescent Gorge, Tiger Tooth Bridge, Devil's Cave, and Warrior's Tears are vividly shaped and lifelike. 1.4 kilometers from the mouth of the canyon, there is a Tang Dynasty grotto on the cliff, with remnants of murals and Chinese characters on the south, north, and west walls. Another canyon, 700 meters from the main canyon, accompanies the mysterious canyon. The Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon combines the wonders of earthly canyons with the unique landscapes of the Tianshan Mountains, embodying the spirit of the ages, and integrating the divine, the strange, the dangerous, the majestic, the ancient, and the secluded into one. The scenery is extraordinary and fascinating.

Explore the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon

❤Recommended Reason: The Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon is a combination of majesty, danger, seclusion, tranquility, and divinity. The canyon is composed of a massive group of reddish-brown mountains, known in Uyghur as 'Keziliya' (red cliffs), formed by millions of years of wind erosion and torrential floods. It is a rare arid natural scenic spot in China. The winding paths of the canyon present a myriad of landscapes, with strange peaks and rocks, perilous caves and gorges. On the left side of the valley, the cliffs boast the Thousand Buddha Caves from the prosperous Tang Dynasty, with murals that are clear, rich in content, vivid, and lifelike. Being there is like wandering in a fairyland on earth! ⛰【Travel Tips】 📍Detailed Address: On the north side of National Highway 217, No. 1025, Kuqa County, Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture, 64 kilometers north of Kuqa County town. 🚗Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours 🕙Opening Hours: All year round 10:00-19:00 💰Ticket Price: 40 yuan 🌟Highlights: The rocks, sculpted by wind and rain, are reddish-brown throughout. The mountain shapes are varied, with peaks reaching straight into the sky! The sunlit mountains contrast sharply with the shaded ones, creating a vivid tableau. The entire mountain is bathed in red, with a secluded path winding through the canyon, revealing a hidden paradise. Tourists riding camels through the valleys add an exotic flavor! The narrowest part of the canyon is just wide enough for one person to pass through! 📌Small Tips: There are no shuttle buses in the scenic area; walking is sufficient as the distances are not very long. However, it is essential to wear waterproof and slip-resistant shoes, preferably hiking boots, as the paths are all gravel, and there are puddles throughout the canyon!

14-Day, 13-Night Quality Tour of Southern Xinjiang

It's hard to find such a place in China where the majestic mountains and rivers walk hand in hand with the distant history, where a scroll of tenderness comparable to that of the south of the Yangtze River is hidden in the wild desolation, and where, without leaving the country, you traverse among the crowds of a strange foreign land. This place is Southern Xinjiang!! Plateaus, lakes, snow-capped mountains, valleys, forests, and wetlands - six types of terrain all in one net. See it all at once, without regrets. Recommended 14-Day Itinerary for Southern Xinjiang: D1: Various places→Urumqi (pick up and check into hotel) D2: Urumqi→Flaming Mountains→Karez Wells→Turpan D3: Turpan→Loulan Village→Korla D4: Korla→Tarim Poplar Forest Park→Kuqa D5: Kuqa→Mysterious Grand Canyon of the Tianshan Mountains→Kuqa Prince's Residence→Aksu D6: Aksu→Bachu Red Sea Scenic Area→Bachu D7: Bachu→Kashgar Old City→Xiangfei Garden→Kashgar D8: Kashgar→White Sand Lake→Kalakule Lake→Taheman Wetland→Taxkorgan D9: Taxkorgan→Panlong Ancient Path→Stone City→Jingcao Beach→Kashgar D10: Kashgar→Yarkand Khan Palace→Hotan D11: Hotan→Taklamakan Desert Highway→Shaya D12: Shaya→Shaya World Poplar Forest Park→Korla D13: Korla→Bosten Lake→Urumqi (end of trip and return home) D14: Urumqi→Airport transfer back to the warmth of home 【tips】: There is a large temperature difference between day and night, which can be around 20 degrees Celsius. At night, set the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature and do not make it too cool; cover yourself with a quilt. During the trip, please carry rain gear, hats, large sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, personal toiletries, and a thermos (the water quality in Xinjiang is relatively hard, it's better to drink boiled water).

Stepping into the old city of Kucha, the refreshing blue here is captivating

Kucha is the center of the thirty-six countries of the Western Regions, Guizi. A road called Restan leads straight to the Kucha Palace. The old city is composed of this main road and the Uighur compatriots living on both sides. 🌟Highlights: The old city of Kucha is not like those ancient cities that are stereotyped due to commercialization. Here are residents who have lived here for generations, quiet and indifferent to the world. When you step into the old city, the exotic style is revealed. Except for a few Han tourists, everything here is restoring your 'imagined South Xinjiang' look. 👍Most recommended: The most famous and most exotic culture here is the colorful old walls and courtyard doors on both sides of the street. They seem to have similar decoration styles but are full of personality. Although most shops and courtyard doors are closed, you can still smell the unique charm of the old city of Kucha on the street. It is full of traces of years of polishing, but it is difficult to stop you from imagining its former glory. ✨In addition to the colorful doors, my personal favorite is the alley leading to Restan Road, with white walls and blue doors, a little bit of Chefchaouen feeling, there are few people on the road, very suitable for taking pictures and checking in. 🚉Traffic strategy: You can navigate to the Kucha Grand Mosque to go to the old city of Kucha. After visiting the Grand Mosque, walk along the blue streets and lanes to Restan Road. This is the main street of the old city. At the end is the Kucha Palace, and there are city wall ruins next to it. On the other end is the Unity New Bridge, there is a market next to it, if you are interested, you can buy a Kucha big naan, which is several circles larger than an adult's face.

There really is a colorful village/That's Kuche Old Town

🌟Kuche, historically the Guizi country in the Western Regions, is also the end of the southern part of the Duku Highway. It contains a wealth of cultural treasures and is full of magic everywhere. Coming to Kuche, you can not only self-drive the beautiful Duku Highway, but also walk around the colorful Kuche Old Town, where you can see stunning scenery and feel the unique ethnic customs. ⏰Opening hours: free all day 📍Scenic address: Kuche River west of Kuche Old Town. Kuche Old Town 🚗Traffic strategy: Take bus 1 or 18 to the Ristan Street Office Station, or drive there directly by navigating to Ristan Old Street. Taxis are also very convenient, and it's only a few kilometers from the city. 🏠Accommodation: Recommended Kuche Hotel, a local hotel with better conditions, high cost performance, and convenient transportation. 😋Delicious food: The yogurt shaved ice and baked buns on the street are very good. 🌟It is said that the locals like to decorate wooden doors 1️⃣To show their family's economic strength 2️⃣To demonstrate their own aesthetic ability in life. Therefore, the colorful carved wooden doors of each family on this street have become the most attractive feature here.

The Uighur old man walked by the wheel-sized crepe cake, the houses on both sides were all colorful and colorful wooden flower gates, and the children were playing in the old streets... This is the old Kucha country, todays Kuqa Old Town. It still maintains a strong Uighur style. Kuqa is a historical town in southern Xinjiang. There are Kuche Wangfu, Kuchea Temple and Laojie in the old city. It is a place with a lot of tourists. The new city is relatively modern, and there is not much difference between most cities in the interior.

The traces of the modern Kuqa City Silk Road are also illusory; even the traces of Buddhism disappeared without a trace. The towns on the edge of the desert, where the sun is strong and dazzling, are full of ethnic minorities that have long since worn no national costumes; the hustle and bustle here is like a wheel, the barbecue here is as long as a human arm, and even the smoke from the air is full of the taste of the giant. There are many mosques in the old town, and there are many adobe buildings in the demolition, and the beautiful women who are lingering in the face of the language, let people walk through the night...

Southern Xinjiang / The tail of the Duku Highway this year, didn't cry in traffic, but cried for its beauty

✅Location: Mid and South sections of the Duku Highway: The Duku Highway is an important road from Dushanzi to Kuqa, open only from June to October each year. It is divided into north, middle, and south sections. This time we went from Yining to Kuqa, passing through the middle and south sections, with grasslands, snow-capped mountains, large and small Longchi, herds of cattle and sheep... the scenery is too beautiful - ✅Date: September 24 and 25, 2023 Weather: Snowy, Sunny Route: From Yining to Kuqa, passing through Bayinbuluke Grassland, this route took the middle and south sections of the Duku Highway 🚗Transportation: Self-driving 🏠Accommodation: Quanji Hotel (Kuqa Tianshan Middle Road Store) - ✅Tips and tricks for the Duku Highway: 🎫Ticket: Duku Highway is free, Large and Small Longchi are free The Duku Highway is a mountain road with a speed limit of 40 yards throughout The highest altitude of the Duku Highway is about 3000 meters, the climate changes along the way, it is recommended to wear thick clothes such as storm jackets Traffic control may occur on the Duku Highway due to real-time weather conditions Only vehicles with 7 seats or less can pass through the Duku Highway The Large and Small Longchi are along the Duku Highway, you can see them as soon as you get off the car There are many parking spots along the Duku Highway for taking photos - About drones: ✅Duku Highway: Free to fly

Southern Xinjiang: Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon VS Wensu Grand Canyon

✅Location: Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon: Also known as 'Keziliya Grand Canyon', in Uighur it means 'Red Cliff' Wensu Grand Canyon: Also known as 'Kuduluk Grand Canyon', in Uighur it means 'Surprising, Mysterious' - ✅Date: September 25, 26, 2023 ✅Weather: Sunny ✅Route: September 25: From Bayinbuluke via Duku Highway to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, visit Baicheng Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves after coming out (no photography in the cave), stay in Kuche at night September 26: Depart from Kuche at 8:00 in the morning, go to Wensu Grand Canyon, after coming out, stay in Aksu ✅Transportation: Self-driving ✅Accommodation: September 25: Quanji Hotel (Kuche Tianshan Middle Road Store) September 26: Aksu Baili Inn - ✅Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon Play Tips: 2~3 hours 1⃣️Ticket: 39 yuan 2⃣️There is only one way, it is a narrow gap, about 1 hour walk (not recommended to ride a camel, short journey, not convenient to take pictures along the way...) 3⃣️There will be small streams on the road, the road is rough sandy soil - ✅Wensu Grand Canyon Play Tips: 4~5 hours 1⃣️Ticket + Shuttle: 94 yuan 2⃣️Compared to the delicate Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon, this is a grand and magnificent style 3⃣️You can also buy a self-driving ticket to drive in by yourself 4⃣️You need to drive 17 kilometers from the visitor center to the entrance of the scenic spot, and then take a 20-minute shuttle bus to the inside of the scenic spot. The shuttle bus goes directly to the end station No. 4 5⃣️The playable spots are No. 4, 3, 6, No. 4 and No. 3 are connected, you can walk down the mountain, or you can walk on the mountain trail, you can see the panorama on the trail, about 1.7 kilometers long, No. 6 has an independent trail, relatively short, these three points can take the shuttle bus back to the entrance of the scenic spot - ✅Baicheng Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves Play Tips: 1 hour 1⃣️Ticket: 70 yuan (need to make an appointment at 'Kucha Research', pay at the entrance of the scenic spot 2⃣️Walk a few minutes to the cave, enter the cave in groups of 10 3⃣️No photography in the cave, no touching - About drones: ✅Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon: No fly ✅Wensu Grand Canyon: Free fly - 📸Shooting equipment: iphone14promax, DJI mini3 pro

Southern Xinjiang: This year, the end of the Duku Highway didn't make me cry because of traffic jams, but because of its beauty

✅Location: The middle and southern sections of the Duku Highway: The Duku Highway is an important road from Dushanzi to Kuqa, open only from June to October each year. It is divided into northern, middle, and southern sections. This time we traveled from Yining to Kuqa, passing through the middle and southern sections, with grasslands, snow-capped mountains, large and small dragon pools, herds of cattle and sheep... The scenery is too beautiful - ✅Date: September 24 and 25, 2023 ✅Weather: Snowy, Sunny ✅Route: From Yining to Kuqa, passing through Bayinbuluke Grassland, this route covers the middle and southern sections of the Duku Highway ✅Transportation: Self-driving ✅Accommodation: Quanji Hotel (Kuqa Tianshan Middle Road Branch) - ✅Tips and tricks for the Duku Highway: 1⃣️Admission: The Duku Highway and the large and small dragon pools are free 2⃣️The Duku Highway is a mountain road with a speed limit of 40 yards throughout 3⃣️The highest altitude of the Duku Highway is about 3000 meters, with variable weather along the way, it is recommended to wear thick clothes such as storm jackets 4⃣️The Duku Highway may be subject to traffic control due to real-time weather conditions 5⃣️Only vehicles with 7 seats or less can pass through the Duku Highway 6⃣️The large and small dragon pools are along the Duku Highway, you can see them as soon as you get off the car 7⃣️There are many parking spots along the Duku Highway for taking photos - About drones: ✅Duku Highway: Free to fly - 📸Shooting equipment: iphone14promax, DJI mini3 pro

After visiting the Kuqa Grand Canyon, I realized what is called the magic of nature

After visiting the Kuqa Grand Canyon, I realized what is called the magic of nature. Walking into the canyon, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, those stones formed by wind and rain over time, in various shapes and forms. Along the way, there are blue skies embedded in the cracks above the canyon, and sunlight casting golden shadows on the brown cliffs... It's dazzling, and I can't help but marvel at the magic of nature.

[Self-driving road, Kuqa Grand Canyon] From Dushanzi to Kuqa, I finally came to the Kuqa Grand Canyon. It is made up of a large red-brown mountain group called Ukrainian (Red Cliff), also known as the Grand Canyon of Kyria, located in the northern part of Kuche County in the Aksu area. It is carved into the reddish-brown rock by the wind and the rain. The canyon has a winding path, and there are caves. The mountains are in various poses, the peaks are straight into the sky, the ditch is in the ditch, and there are valleys in the valley. Hundreds of millions of years of wind and rain erosion, flash floods. The rock formations of the Grand Canyon are mainly sedimentary rocks. After the Tianshan Mountains and the crustal movement, a series of wave-like bends occurred in the rock formation, and obvious folds and fracture lines were observed on the side walls of the canyon. It is known as the "mysterious Grand Canyon" and the "Devil Canyon." Kuqa Grand Canyon is one of the ten most beautiful canyons in China and has been listed as a national geological park. Some little regrets, due to the destruction, we can't enter the depths of the canyon. I just pressed a few photos at the door with all the imagination for it. Specially hope that we can love the planet we live in, whether it is a canyon, land or sea. Otherwise, the environment we live in is worrying, and we can leave something for future generations.

Arriving at the other end of the Duku Highway, the Kuqa Grand Canyon can be visited, - from Dushanzi to Kuqa, called the Duku Highway. Kuche Grand Canyon Uighur "Keliya" is the meaning of "red cliffs". Seeing it with your own eyes, its worthy of the name. These reddish-brown rocks are formed by the wind and rain erosion of nature for hundreds of millions of years. Under the sun, it is like a cluster of burning flames. Kuqa's pipa is very famous. In the past, there was a joke about "the locomotive was as big as a wheel". After roasting, it immediately bite a bite, crisp and delicious.

11-Day 10-Night Travel Guide for Southern Xinjiang

If you can only visit Xinjiang once, you might as well start with Southern Xinjiang. Here, you'll find not only the rich Western Region culture but also the magnificent Pamir Plateau landscapes. In the desert live the centuries-old Loulan people, the grand canyons boast Danxia landforms, blue lakes lie at the foot of snow-capped mountains, and ancient paths carry the history of the Silk Road.... Experience the old times in Kashgar - Kashgar Old Town Travel through China's most dangerous and magnificent road - Karakoram Highway A pure canvas interwoven with white sand and blue lake - Baisar Lake The path once taken by Xuanzang on his return from the West - Tashkurgan Ancient Path Reflecting the towering peaks like a mirror - Karakul Lake The winding Kunlun dragon - Panlong Ancient Path Recommended 11-Day Itinerary for Southern Xinjiang D1: Various places → Urumqi D2: Urumqi → Bosten Lake → Hoshul D3: Hoshul → Loulan Village → Kuqa D4: Kuqa → Wensu Grand Canyon → Aksu D5: Aksu → Desert Highway → Jiaohe Ancient City → Hotan D6: Hotan → Zepu Poplar Forest → Yarkant King's Palace → Yarkant D7: Yarkant → Kashgar Old Town → Kashgar D8: Kashgar → Oytag Glacier Park → Baisar Lake → Taxkorgan D9: Taxkorgan → Panlong Ancient Path → Bandier Blue Lake → Jinhua Beach Stone City → Karakul Lake → Kashgar D10: Kashgar → Shell Mountain → China's Westernmost Point → Kashgar D11: Kashgar → Airport drop-off 【tips】 The temperature difference between morning and evening in Southern Xinjiang is significant, so be ready to add or remove clothing as needed. The weather in Southern Xinjiang is drier compared to Northern Xinjiang, so always stay hydrated! Long travel distances by car, so buy snacks or dry food and water in advance. The sandy roads in Wensu Grand Canyon are not suitable for sandals. The altitude near Taxkorgan can reach around 4000 meters, so avoid strenuous activities to prevent altitude sickness.

Stepping into the old city of Kucha, the refreshing blue here is captivating

Kucha is the center of the thirty-six countries of the Western Regions, Guizi. A road called Restan leads straight to the Kucha Palace. The old city is composed of this main road and the Uighur compatriots living on both sides. 🌟Highlights: The old city of Kucha is not like those ancient cities that are stereotyped due to commercialization. Here are residents who have lived here for generations, quiet and indifferent to the world. When you step into the old city, the exotic style is revealed. Except for a few Han tourists, everything here is restoring your 'imagined South Xinjiang' look. 👍Most recommended: The most famous and most exotic culture here is the colorful old walls and courtyard doors on both sides of the street. They seem to have similar decoration styles but are full of personality. Although most shops and courtyard doors are closed, you can still smell the unique charm of the old city of Kucha on the street. It is full of traces of years of polishing, but it is difficult to stop you from imagining its former glory. ✨In addition to the colorful doors, my personal favorite is the alley leading to Restan Road, with white walls and blue doors, a little bit of Chefchaouen feeling, there are few people on the road, very suitable for taking pictures and checking in. 🚉Traffic strategy: You can navigate to the Kucha Grand Mosque to go to the old city of Kucha. After visiting the Grand Mosque, walk along the blue streets and lanes to Restan Road. This is the main street of the old city. At the end is the Kucha Palace, and there are city wall ruins next to it. On the other end is the Unity New Bridge, there is a market next to it, if you are interested, you can buy a Kucha big naan, which is several circles larger than an adult's face.