Updated: The Duku Highway — the most scenic drive in Xinjiang — has confirmed its 2026 opening window. For foreign self-drivers planning a duku highway self drive, this is the green light to lock in summer itineraries.
The dates
- Expected opening: early June 2026 (exact day announced by local traffic authorities; historically the first or second week).
- Expected closure: late September to mid-October 2026, with the high passes closing first after the first snowfall.
The highway’s open season is short by design — snow makes the 3,400 m Hashiligen Pass impassable for roughly half the year. Our Duku Highway self-drive guide has the full route and tips.
What’s new for 2026
- Continued upgrades to pull-off areas and viewing platforms along the northern section.
- Stronger mobile coverage in the central pass (still spotty — keep offline maps).
- Peak-season vehicle restrictions may apply on the busiest days; check before you go.
Plan around the window
Because the Duku is the hinge between northern and southern Xinjiang, its dates shape most xinjiang road trip itinerary plans. If you travel before opening, you must detour the long way around the Tianshan; after closure, the same applies. The best time for a Xinjiang road trip lines up almost exactly with the Duku’s open months.
If you miss the window
- Before June / after October: use the long northern–southern connector highways; the Xinjiang winter road closures update explains what stays open.
- The southern desert highways and lowland routes remain driveable year-round.
More 2026 updates
This is part of our running Xinjiang tourism news 2026 coverage — visa changes, new flights, and road upgrades all feed into trip planning.
FAQ
Is the date guaranteed? Weather can shift it by days; monitor the official traffic notice in late May.
Can I drive it the day it opens? Yes, but expect crowds on the first weekends.
Final word
Mark early June in your calendar. The Duku is the soul of a Xinjiang road trip — and 2026’s window is now on the board.
Written by Karl Huang, a Xinjiang-based travel writer. Confirm the exact opening day with local traffic authorities before finalizing bookings.