The white Mitsubishi Triton pickup is parked in front of the Xinjiang Transportation Investment building. The tail has yellow stickers: "Route 317 Must-Go," "Route 318 Must-Go Malaysia-Tibet," and a "RIDE TO CHINA" route map.
The license plate is Malaysian, starting with ALV 70.
This is Ah Wei from Kuala Lumpur. His convoy just entered China through Khorgos Port yesterday. Next, they plan to drive the Duku Highway first, then take Route 318 into Tibet, and finally exit through Mohan Port in Yunnan.
"This building is really impressive," Ah Wei says, looking up at the Xinjiang Transportation Investment building, unable to help but admire it.
His friend laughs next to him: "China's infrastructure is just great. Look at these roads, they're built so beautifully."
Ah Wei nods. He drove all the way from Malaysia, through Thailand, Laos, and Kazakhstan. China's roads are definitely the best—wide, smooth, clearly marked. Driving is especially comfortable.
"Let's go," Ah Wei pats the hood. "The Duku Highway is waiting for us ahead."
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The Duku Highway is a holy land in the hearts of many road trippers. This highway runs from Dushanzi to Kuqa, totaling 561 kilometers. You drive from grasslands in northern Xinjiang all the way to desert in southern Xinjiang, with dramatic scenery changes. It's only open a few months a year, so drivers who can catch it are lucky.
"I saw in the guides that the Duku Highway can snow at any time, so we need to prepare snow chains," Ah Wei says. "Although it's autumn now, it might already be cold up in the mountains."
Indeed, Xinjiang's weather changes fast. If you're driving the Duku Highway, you must check the weather in advance and prepare the necessary equipment.