Breathe freely on the Yizhao Highway

🗻If the Duku Highway is a journey through four seasons in one day, the Yizhao Highway not only offers the same experience but also showcases three typical landscapes of the Ili region along the way. It is open for only three months each year❕ The Yizhao Highway opens even later than the Duku Highway～ 🗻The Yizhao Highway is a section of the ancient Silk Road known as the 'Gongyue Route.' It is acclaimed as one of the most challenging and beautiful highways in Xinjiang, stretching approximately 212 kilometers. As the name suggests, the Yizhao Highway connects Yining City to Zhaosu County. It consists of numerous perilous mountain roads with 360° hairpin turns, including a 37-kilometer treacherous section, traversing the Wusun Mountains and spanning the picturesque Ili River Valley oasis. 🗻With a peak altitude of 3100 meters, the climb up and down Baishifeng and Anglet Daban is faster than on the Duku Highway, with more sharp turns. Running in the wilderness, dancing in the wind, the undulating terrain, the bleating sheep under the clear sky, and the lush summer pastures🍃 are reminiscent of scenes from a summer pasture in a drama. 🗻Many people compare the Yizhao Highway with the Duku Highway. ⚪️The Yizhao Highway starts with an open landscape, becoming steep as it enters the mountains, with constantly changing scenery: grasslands, melting snow, mountains; sea of clouds, streams, riverbanks. After crossing the high-altitude mountain roads, you are greeted by expansive yet tranquil villages, with herds of cattle and horses passing by the car. The Yizhao Highway unfolds like a painting, slowly revealing its beauty. ⚪️The Duku Highway is more rugged, offering a vastness that cameras cannot capture. It is more open and grand. The scenery on the Duku Highway changes less rapidly than on the Yizhao Highway, but the sudden openness when exiting a tunnel is a unique experience. ⚪️So, if you have enough time, I recommend visiting both highways, as each offers equally stunning views. 🗻The Yizhao Highway is usually divided into two sections: 1️⃣ Upper section: Yining to Zhaosu (the essence of the Yizhao Highway: approximately 108 kilometers, taking about 3 hours) 2️⃣ Lower section: Zhaosu to Muzart Tips🔖 1️⃣ The temperature difference between day and night in Xinjiang is significant, so bring both thick and thin clothing. 2️⃣ Supplies: sunscreen (be sure to protect yourself from the sun, as Xinjiang's sun can really burn you), lip balm, hand cream, sunglasses, thermos, rain gear. 3️⃣ Medicines: cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, headache powder, glucose, band-aids, essential balm, mosquito repellent, etc. 4️⃣ Bring brightly colored dresses for great photos. 5️⃣ The mountain road has only two lanes, and there are few designated viewing platforms. You usually have to pull over at scenic spots, but be aware that some sections prohibit parking. 6️⃣ Always check the weather forecast⚠️⚠️. The Yizhao Highway can be closed at any time due to bad weather. The weather on the Yizhao Highway is very unpredictable; it can change from sunny to heavy rain or hail very quickly! Regarding transportation🚗 1️⃣ Renting a car is suitable for friends and families traveling together, as it is more convenient and carefree. 2️⃣ Self-driving is more suitable for experienced drivers familiar with the road conditions, offering more freedom. It is recommended to rent an off-road vehicle/SUV for a smoother drive. 3️⃣ Carpooling is not recommended, nor is finding travel companions online, as it is not very safe. It is best to rent a car or drive yourself.