Altay-Hemu Highway showcases autumn colors in Xinjiang

Updated: Oct 8, 2026 By Fang Aiqing and Mao Weihua chinadaily.com.cn Print

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Cars wind their way along the splendid landscapes seen from the G681 Altay-Hemu Highway on Sept 22 in Altay prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. [Photo by Ardak Beyiskan /For chinadaily.com.cn]

The road connecting Altay city and Hemu village at the photogenic Kanas scenic area in Altay prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, is showcasing autumn's dynamic hues.

Forests along the route are ablaze with color, unfolding a magnificent mountain landscape that draws tourists from near and far to soak in the views and capture the moment. Trees on either side of the road are turning golden, orange-red, and dark green, contrasting with the distant snowcapped mountains and nearby river valleys to create a layered autumn scene.

The roughly 200-kilometer Altay-Hemu Highway, opened to two-way traffic in late June of 2025, cuts the journey from Altay city to Hemu village from about six hours to three. It links canyons, forests, rivers, wetlands, snowcapped mountains, meadows, and stone forests, making it a popular scenic passageway in northern Xinjiang.

Xinjiang Daily reported that as of March, the highway had recorded around 330,000 vehicle trips and about 1.11 million visits.

Ardak Beyiskan contributed to this story.

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