China National Highway 217



China National Highway 217 (G217) runs south from Altay, Xinjiang to Hotan, Xinjiang. It is 1,753 kilometres in length and runs southwest from Altay towards Kuqa County and from there southwards through the Taklamakan Desert to Hotan.

The highly scenic mountainous section between Dushanzi and Kuqa that crosses the Tianshan Mountains is commonly known as Duku Highway (独库公路). A section of Duku Highway also crosses the Bayanbulak Grassland National Nature Reserve.

Mountain Passes
From North to South:


 * Haxilegen Pass, bypassed by tunnel. 3450 meters above the sea level.
 * Yuximole Pass, bypassed by tunnel. 3438 meters above the sea level.
 * Laerdun Pass. 2730 meters above the sea level.
 * Tielimaiti Pass. bypassed by tunnel. 3335 meters above the sea level.