Jingyi Herdsmen Road

Jingyi Herdsmen Road, also known as the Suyab Road, is a road that carries a thousand years of history and beautiful scenery. It is located in Xinjiang, starting from Daheyanzi in Jinghe County (some say the 83rd Regiment of the 5th Division of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps) and ending at Gongyue City in Yining County, with a total length of about 160–180 km. It has a profound historical background. It was once an important passage on the northern route of the ancient Silk Road, and it was the main route connecting the outside world with Yili from the Western Han Dynasty to the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. During the Western Han Dynasty, Princesses Xijun and Jieyou traveled to Wusun via this road, bearing the mission of promoting ethnic exchange and peace. When the Tang Dynasty army put down the Western Turkic, they also marched along this road, witnessing many key historical moments. It was not until the 27th year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, when General Yili Agui rebuilt the old "Taleqi" (Guozigou) road, that the Jingyi Herdsmen Road was gradually abandoned and hidden in the years. Today, with its unique charm, the Jingyi Herdsmen Road has become a popular destination for off-road enthusiasts. The terrain along the way is rich and diverse. The first half may be slightly desolate, with a gravel road winding along the river, and occasional houses scattered by herdsmen. After going deeper, the style of painting changes suddenly, as if stepping into a paradise. The majestic snow-capped mountains come into view, and the snow on the top of the mountains does not melt all year round, shining with a holy light under the sunlight. The canyons are deep and the cliffs are steep, showing the magic of nature. The vast Tuohulasu Grassland is like a green ocean, with an average altitude of 2,300m. The 45 km long Five Daughters-in-Law Gully Grand Canyon is embedded in it, with a maximum drop of 200m. The river in the valley is gurgling, the vegetation is lush, and the ancient cedar forests on both sides of the canyon are lush and verdant. There are also towering spruce trees, clear rivers, and sparkling glaciers. Herds of cattle and sheep graze leisurely on the grassland, outlining a peaceful and idyllic pastoral picture. However, when driving on the Jingyi Herdsmen Road, you should also pay attention to the fact that except for a small section of asphalt road at the beginning and end, most of the middle section is dirt road and gravel road, which requires higher vehicle performance. It is recommended to drive an SUV or off-road vehicle. Be sure to fill up with gas in Jinghe County before departure, and prepare dry food and water, because there is a lack of gas stations and supply points along the way.