Route provides a view to a thrill

The Duku section can be completed by driving 8.5 hours without stopping, but the natural scenery has lured travelers to spend days viewing the stunning scenery.

"We've made arrangements to avoid traffic jams and ensure the smooth passage of vehicles," Li says.

To mark the reopening of the road, authorities held a Duku tourism festival that features cultural activities, light shows, camping events and cycling competitions.

"Our night fair has been packed with tourists," Li says.

Visitors can also drop by the Duku Highway Museum and the Dushanzi Grand Canyon before going further down the highway.

Tour inquiries and bookings have also surged, as the region's culture and tourism department issued a notice to resume cross-provincial tourism through multiple measures.

"We've seen significant growth in the number of individual and customized tours," says Zhang Junyan, general manager in charge of Trip.com Group's operations in Xinjiang.