Dushanzi Grand Canyon Scenic Area is located in Dushanzi District, Karamay City, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains), a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The core feature of the scenic area is its unique "Duku Secret Realm" canyon landform. The canyon is 200-280 meters deep, with a valley shoulder width of 800-1000 meters and a valley bottom width of 100-400 meters, covering a total area of about 200 square kilometers. The area features experience facilities such as the "Duku Grand Glass Bridge," "Canyon Cableway," and "Cliff Walkway," as well as natural landscapes like the "Tianshan Snow Waterfall" and "Dushanzi Mud Volcano Group," integrating geological exploration and extreme sports experiences.
History and Culture
The Dushanzi Grand Canyon was formed by the erosion of Tianshan snowmelt over hundreds of millions of years, serving as a "geological textbook" at the starting point of the Duku Highway. Dushanzi District, where the canyon is located, is one of the birthplaces of the Karamay Oilfield. The Qing Dynasty's Xinjiang Atlas already recorded crude oil in Dushanzi. The "Duku Highway Museum" preserved in the scenic area showcases the construction history of this "most beautiful highway in China." From 1974 to 1983, tens of thousands of road construction soldiers carved out this dangerous road through the Tianshan Mountains using primitive tools like shovels and pickaxes. Cultural relics such as old photos and construction equipment in the museum bear witness to the "Heavenly Road Spirit." Additionally, ancient rock paintings and Wusun tomb clusters around the canyon confirm that this area was once an activity zone for ancient nomadic peoples.
Main Attractions
Duku Grand Glass Bridge
Spanning both sides of the canyon, the Duku Grand Glass Bridge is 568 meters long and 200 meters vertically above the valley bottom, making it the first alpine canyon glass bridge in Xinjiang. The bridge deck uses three-layer laminated tempered glass, capable of accommodating 3,000 people simultaneously. The bridge design incorporates Tianshan snow lotus elements, with viewing platforms at both ends offering panoramic views of the canyon and snow waterfalls.
Canyon Cableway
The 1,000-meter-long cableway takes about 8 minutes for a one-way trip, with gondolas featuring transparent glass floors. Riding the cableway allows visitors to observe the canyon's "folded" Danxia landform from a high-altitude perspective, with unique winter views of snow-capped mountains and red cliffs.
Cliff Walkway
The 3-kilometer walkway is built along the canyon cliffs, with 12 viewing platforms. The highest point of the walkway is 150 meters above the valley bottom, including a "heart-pounding section" with a hollow steel structure where visitors can clearly see the canyon below while walking. Along the way, visitors can closely observe wind-eroded Yardang landforms and seasonal streams.
Tianshan Snow Waterfall
Formed by the convergence of Tianshan snowmelt, the waterfall has a drop of 40 meters and a width of about 20 meters during the high-water season. The water cascades down red rock walls, creating a visual spectacle of "water-eroded red rocks." In winter, it freezes into an ice waterfall, a popular check-in spot for ice climbers.
Dushanzi Mud Volcano Group
Located about 5 kilometers from the canyon entrance, this is the easternmost mud volcano distribution area in China. There are over 30 existing mud volcano vents, with the largest having a diameter of 1.6 meters. During eruptions, mud churns and hydrogen sulfide gas is emitted. The scenic area has set up protective railings and science display boards explaining the geological principles behind mud volcano formation.
Food
Shawan Big Plate Chicken
Made with local free-range chicken, potatoes, and wide noodles, stir-fried with a secret sauce, the chicken is tender, the potatoes are soft, and the sauce is rich, spicy, and savory. It is recommended to visit time-honored shops on the "Big Plate Chicken Street" outside the scenic area, with an average cost of about 60 yuan per person.
Dushanzi Cold Noodles
Made from Tianshan wheat flour, the cold noodles are chewy, served with sesame paste, vinegar, chili oil, and cucumber shreds, offering a sweet, sour, and spicy taste. Available at snack stalls in the scenic area, priced at about 10 yuan per serving.
Roasted Buns
Mutton-filled roasted buns are baked in a nang oven, with a crispy outer skin and a filling mixed with mutton, onions, and cumin, oozing juice when bitten. Served in scenic area restaurants and nearby night markets, each costs about 5 yuan.
Kawas
A traditional Xinjiang beverage fermented from malt and honey, with a sweet and sour taste and bubbles. It is refreshing when chilled in summer, sold in scenic area stores for about 8 yuan per bottle.
Admission
The scenic area admission fee is 30 yuan per person. Individual fees apply for in-scenic area activities.
For the latest updates, search for the official WeChat public account "独山子大峡谷".
As of May 22, 2025, this official account does not offer online ticket purchasing.
Opening Hours
Summer (May 1-October 15): 8:30-20:30; Winter (October 16-April 30): 10:00-19:00. Opening hours for facilities like the Duku Grand Glass Bridge and cableway may vary by season; refer to on-site announcements for details.
Tour Routes
One-day Tour Route: 9:00 Scenic Area Entrance → Duku Grand Glass Bridge (30-minute experience) → Canyon Cableway (one-way to valley bottom, 10 minutes) → Cliff Walkway (2-hour hike, viewing snow waterfalls) → Valley Bottom Sightseeing Car (20-minute return to entrance) → Lunch (recommended big plate chicken restaurant outside the scenic area) → 14:30 Mud Volcano Group (1-hour tour) → Duku Highway Museum (1-hour visit) → 17:00 Return.
Extreme Experience Route: Glass Bridge High-Altitude Swing (separate fee required) → Canyon Via Ferrata (climbing experience, approx. 2 hours) → Cableway Speed Descent (summer only).
Transportation
- Self-driving: Depart from Karamay urban area, drive south along G3014 Kui'a Expressway for about 50 km, exit at Dushanzi, and follow scenic area signs. The journey takes about 1 hour, with parking at the scenic area costing 10 yuan/day.
- Bus: Take the "Karamay-Dushanzi" special line bus from Karamay urban area (fare 15 yuan), then transfer to a taxi in Dushanzi District to the scenic area (about 20 yuan, 15-minute drive).
- Tourist Shuttle: In summer, a direct shuttle departs from Karamay Convention and Exhibition Center at 10:00 daily, with round-trip fare 50 yuan; advance reservation required 1 day prior.
Must-See Attractions
- Duku Grand Glass Bridge: The tallest glass bridge in Xinjiang, offering both a courage challenge and sightseeing. Visit before 10:00 am to avoid crowds.
- Cliff Walkway: The best route for hiking and observing canyon landforms. The "Echo Wall" viewing platform allows visitors to shout and hear echoes; some sections may be icy in winter, requiring anti-slip measures.
- Mud Volcano Group: A rare geological landscape. During active eruption periods (spring/autumn), mud churning can be observed; do not approach beyond protective railings.
Tour Tips
- Strong UV rays in summer require sunscreen, sunglasses, and ample drinking water (prices are higher inside the scenic area); cold winters demand down jackets and non-slip shoes.
- Glass bridge and cableway have weight limits (usually no more than 100 kg); confirm your suitability before experiencing.
- Wear sports shoes for hiking the walkway; some sections are unsheltered, so bring a sun hat. Children must be accompanied by adults at all times.
- Visitors planning to experience extreme activities (e.g., Via Ferrata) are advised to do so in the morning when physically refreshed, avoiding afternoon strong winds that may affect safety.
Notes
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area; touching mud in the mud volcano area is strictly forbidden.
- Safety warning lines are set for cliff facilities like the glass bridge and walkway; do not exceed railings for photos.
- Mobile phone signals are weak in the canyon; download offline maps in advance and travel in groups.
- Short-term heavy rains may occur in summer, potentially leading to temporary valley bottom closures. Pay attention to scenic area broadcasts or staff announcements.
- The Duku Highway Museum is closed every Monday (except public holidays); identity registration with an ID card is required for visits.