URUMQI, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 561-km Duku Highway, connecting Dushanzi in the northern area of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Kuqa City in the south, runs through various types of landscapes including canyons, forests, lakes, and grasslands. The Duku Highway not only connects the stunning landscapes along its route but has also become a golden pathway to prosperity for local people. Follow Xinhua correspondent Smiley on a journey to explore this legendary road built by heroes, driving development and fostering unity.

An aerial drone photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows a section of the Duku Highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Northwest China's Duku Highway, considered one of the most scenic roads in the country, sees a tourism boom in the summer. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Tourists riding camels visit a canyon near the Duku Highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 17, 2025. Northwest China's Duku Highway, considered one of the most scenic roads in the country, sees a tourism boom in the summer. (Xinhua/Meng Tao)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows a section of the Duku Highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Zhang Keren)

A man poses for a photo at a service area of the Duku Highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiao)

An aerial drone photo shows tourists visiting a canyon near the Duku Highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Keren)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 15, 2025 shows a section of the Duku Highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

An aerial drone photo shows vehicles on the Duku Highway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 15, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)