I have never traveled in Northwestern China and decided to go to Xinjiang in the end of September 2019.

There are two major goals for the trip:

1. Fall Colors of Kanas
2. Du-Ku Highway

Du-Ku Highway will be closed in the winter every year when first major snow arrives, which can be as early as at the beginning of October. This is also the reason to travel at the end of September before possible highway close. The Reality is true and cruel. It was a snowing day on September 15, 2019. The road was closed on 09-15-2019 and fortunately, reopened on September 16.

I drove through Du-Ku Highway, stayed in Bayanbulak Grassland and Tangbra Grassland, both locate on the road sides of Du-Ku-Highway two night. It is a spectacular scenic roads, from desert south to grasslands in the center and ice-snow covered high mountains. All show on the road sides.

I stayed four night in Kanas and He-Mu Village for fall colors. Then, I arrived in Koktokay and returned to Urumqi Airport. Total 16 days.