cycling Khorgos to Kashgar G217

[bikesabroad]

is it possible to cycle (in summer) from Khorgos (Kazakh crossing) to Kashgar via Aksu?. This looks to be G217.
Is it too hot?

[adventuretourchina]

Theoretically It's possible, legally it's also possible, this area is open to foreigners as long as you stick on the G national road.
practically there are also several cycling records in this area by foreigner.

Your route should be:
G218: Khorgos - yining - zhaosu - tekexi - gongliu - Xinyuan County
G218: Xinyuan County - Nalati Town and grassland - The Bridge, it's about 90km

G217: The bridge - Bayanbulak Grassland National Nature Reserve (from Mongolian "abundant spring") and Bayanbulak town - kuqa county - kashgar
The above route from the bridge to kuqa belongs to part of Duku highway, please note that Duku highway will be closed every year for all vehicles from October to end of May of next year. (this year it was 2018.10.17 to end of 2019 may). So it's only open 4-5 months every year from june to end of September.

Normally the temperature in July and August stay from 18 ℃ to 30 ℃/35 ℃. it often rains in summer but because of the mountain and high altitude(average 2500 m) weather changes quickly.

You may pass several check points every day, you may also escort some kilometers by policeman, you may also need to stay in “foreigners allowed hotel".

Duku highway and tianshan mountain area are amazing, happy cycling!

[bikesabroad]

Thank you so much!!