Things to do in Aksu Prefecture

I originally planned to go to Wensu Grand Canyon, but it was closed due to weather, so I went to Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon instead. Luckily, the weather was great; with the blue sky, the canyon's colors were particularly bright, and the contrasts were even more striking, making it perfect for taking photos in bright colors. The temperature difference inside the canyon is significant, depending on whether you get sun exposure. I recommend bringing a scarf this season; it's warm and can also be used as a photo prop. Although the scenic area isn't very large, walking around and taking photos will still take about two hours. If you don't want to walk, you can take the park shuttle bus or choose to ride a camel.

We drove ourselves to the Grand Canyon. The off-road vehicle cost 100 yuan per vehicle. Our companions either got free tickets or half-price tickets. Even though we paid full price, it was only 36 yuan, which was a very reasonable price. The scenery in the scenic area was beautiful. I recommend it.

The palace itself is a replica, and the exhibition hall introducing Kucha culture inside is rather basic; it's better to visit the Kucha Museum. There's another exhibition hall about the last prince's deeds in the People's Republic of China, which is worth a look. The entire visit takes less than an hour, so you can skip it. You can stroll around the commercial street near the entrance; there are naan shops frequented by locals.

The Duku Highway, also known as the Dushanzi-Kuqa section of National Highway G217, is hailed as a scenic highway traversing the Tianshan Mountains. Stretching over 500 kilometers, it cuts across the entire Tianshan range, connecting northern and southern Xinjiang, and is also a breathtakingly heroic road. The highway winds its way through towering mountains, traversing numerous snow-capped passes, offering breathtaking views of canyons, glaciers, forests, grasslands, and deserts – perfectly embodying the saying "experience all four seasons in a day, and different weather every ten miles." Starting from Dushanzi in northern Xinjiang and heading south, the scenery changes dramatically, passing through Qiaerma, Nalati, Bayinbuluke, and finally Kuqa in southern Xinjiang, with countless famous scenic spots strung along this route. Due to snow and ice, the Duku Highway is not open year-round, only accessible for a few months each year, and may even be temporarily closed if you're unlucky. The mountain roads are treacherous, with numerous bends, and the weather in the mountains is unpredictable. Even in the height of summer, the high-altitude sections remain bitterly cold; be sure to bring warm clothing and drive with caution. This highway is not just a passageway; it is itself the most spectacular scenery of the entire Xinjiang trip. Only by driving through the Duku Highway can one truly understand the magnificence of the Tianshan Mountains. It is a must-visit destination for countless self-driving enthusiasts.

This is a highly recommended attraction, but the experience is significantly diminished without a car. The scenic area is vast; even with a car, the journey takes about three hours, including a short rest at the cliffside café (less than an hour). It's senior-friendly; you won't need to walk much if you don't visit the cliffside café. The entire area is by car. The roads are excellent, and all types of vehicles can pass. Visiting in the morning is ideal; there's no need to wait for the afternoon sun. The canyon doesn't feel deep, but rather expansive. A visit to the adjacent Tianshan Mysterious Grand Canyon in the afternoon would be perfect.

I didn't expect to get a surprise. It was free. The scenic area is still worth visiting. There was a city opening ceremony and performances. There was a large poplar forest. It was a pity that I came a little early and it was not yet yellow.

Time freezes here, heartbeats awaken here—the Taklamakan Desert Highway, the most solitary and breathtakingly beautiful journey on Earth. This is no ordinary road. The soft rustling of wheels over the asphalt is the most luxurious silence on Earth. Ahead, yellow sand and sky merge at the horizon, the world simplified to its purest elements—blue and yellow, sky and earth, you and infinity. On the chest of the world's second largest shifting sand desert, a black ribbon cuts straight through the golden ocean. The Taklamakan, a place that means "once you go in, you can't come out" in Uyghur, now, you can drive your modern motorcycle into this territory once forgotten by time!

Unless you're a professional or an enthusiast, there's no need to make a special trip here, and the price isn't great. However, it was very quiet during the National Day holiday, and the walk in and out took no more than 20 minutes. It's just one floor with a few excavation sites of Wei and Jin dynasty tombs, so you can see the fusion of Kucha and Central Plains cultures. I did manage to buy some Kucha travel-themed fridge magnets here, but the ones from other places weren't particularly special.

Although I visited several Yardang landforms, the Kizil Red Stone Forest was still quite impressive. Unlike other Yardang landforms, it has a variety of shapes and is recommended to be visited together with the Kizil Caves.

Kuqa Finally, I can smell the scent of the Western Regions Protectorate! Two World Heritage Sites: Kizilgaha Beacon Tower (Han Dynasty) and Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins (Tang Dynasty). Kizilgaha Beacon Tower is known as the Red Outpost, guarding the Han Dynasty. Subashi Buddhist Temple witnessed the Tripitaka Master preaching and propagating Buddhism. The temple ruins are not large; you can finish in an hour. Driving is recommended. Drones are not allowed.