The travel route from Yili to Kuqa is a scenic journey. The recommended travel route is: Yili – Nalati Grassland – Duku Highway – Kuqa.
Firstly, starting from Yili, you can head to the Nalati Grassland. The Nalati Grassland is a typical scenery of Yili, where snow-capped fir trees, flowery meadows, and trickling streams intertwine, with cattle, sheep, and horses wandering leisurely on the grassland, as if you are in the Alps.
Next, continue along the Duku Highway. The Duku Highway is praised as the "Most Beautiful Highway", spanning 560 kilometers across northern Xinjiang, from the Nalati Grassland in Yili to Kuqa in the Tarim Basin, with breathtaking scenery along the way.
On the Duku Highway, you will pass by multiple attractions, such as the winding mountain road at Lartun Daban, the plateau grassland of Bayanbulak, the magnificent scenery of southern Xinjiang at Tielimaiti Daban, the emerald-green lakes of Daxiaolongchi and Xiaolongchi, as well as the Yardang landform of the Mysterious Tianshan Grand Canyon.
Finally, arrive in Kuqa. Kuqa is a charming city with many attractions worth visiting. You can visit Kuqa Wangfu (王府, mansion), the old town of Kuqa, and feel the unique charm of this city. Additionally, you can head to the Kizil Grottoes to appreciate the charm of ancient art.
If you wish to explore this route more deeply, you can consider extending your itinerary and incorporating more attractions along the way into your travel plan, such as Sayram Lake, Zhaosu County, and the Xiate Ancient Road.
In general, the travel route from Yili to Kuqa is a journey full of natural beauty and cultural charm. Whether you are self-driving or joining a tour group, you will gain numerous memories and touching experiences.