9Month26On the [day], the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway reconnaissance activity, hosted by the Yecheng County Government, came to a successful conclusion. The event was led by a delegation headed by Zhang Bin, Deputy Commander of the Yecheng Sub-command of the Shanghai Aid-Xinjiang Command, Standing Committee Member of the Yecheng County Party Committee, and Deputy County Head. The team embarked on a [number]-day journey, setting off from Yecheng County in Kashgar, Xinjiang, crossing the Kunlun Mountains, Karakoram Mountains, Gangdise Mountains, and Himalayas, reaching Purang County in Ngari, Tibet. Along the way, they crossed...9Day5000-meter-high5Mountains16Glacier passes44Glacial rivers. This unveiled the mysterious veil of this “Sky Road,” the world’s highest-altitude, most treacherous, and harshest-condition route.
Through this Xinjiang-Tibet Highway reconnaissance activity, efforts were made to explore and promote systematic coordination in tourism marketing along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, develop tourism route products centered around the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway that can radiate to surrounding areas, establish the “Xinjiang-Tibet Highway” as a renowned domestic and international professional outdoor tourism brand, advance the tourism development of Yecheng and regions along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway, and achieve the goal of boosting tourism destination branding through special-interest tourism.
On9November21, the Yecheng · Xinjiang-Tibet Highway delegation arrived in Shiquanhe Town, Ngari Prefecture. The Shanghai Aid-Xinjiang Front Command also contacted the Ngari Prefecture Tourism Development Commission regarding this inspection and received positive support and response from the Ngari Tourism Development Commission. Both sides reached a consensus on jointly developing tourism along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway in the future and officially signed the “Xinjiang-Tibet Highway” Tourism Industry Cooperative Development Framework Agreement. The two parties will carry out a series of tourism planning and investment attraction efforts to jointly develop the “Xinjiang-Tibet Highway” tourism project, create a high-quality tourism ecological environment, and thereby promote the rapid and healthy development of the tourism economies in the Kashgar and Ngari regions. They aim to build a golden region and brand for special-interest tourism in China. Ultimately, the comprehensive tourism projects of Yecheng and Ngari, Xinjiang and Tibet, will be developed into demonstration zones for cross-regional industrial integration, serving as exemplary initiatives of Shanghai’s aid-Xinjiang efforts, connectivity, and joint poverty alleviation. They will bring the blessings of the Belt and Road Initiative to the plateau and allow the warm-hearted, hardworking people of Xinjiang and Tibet to feel the warmth of “home.”
This event laid the groundwork for promoting significant development in the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway tourism industry. Based on authoritative data collected by planning personnel, it also prepared for the subsequent application for “Guinness World Records” recognition of the “Sky Road.” By integrating tourism industry resources, it ensures that the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway regularly has well-planned tourism products introduced to the market. Key scenic spots along the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway route, including K2 Peak, were inspected to provide sufficient detailed information for tourism products and visitors. Through the field reconnaissance, a precise and comprehensive road book was produced, along with first-hand data to inform the planning of subsequent facility improvements along the route.
Zhang Bin stated that Yecheng County is located at the junction of the Xinjiang and Tibet Autonomous Regions and the intersection of the Ngari, Hotan, and Kashgar regions. It is the starting point of the Xinjiang-Tibet Highway. It is also home to K2, the world’s second-highest peak and the most challenging to climb among peaks over 8,000 meters. The Xinjiang-Tibet Highway is not only the world’s highest-altitude average road but also an ecological, cultural, and happiness road.
K2 stands at8611meters, making it the world’s second-highest peak. Its climbing difficulty far exceeds that of Everest, which is why this majestic ridge of China remains relatively unknown. Compared to Everest, which sees tens of thousands of tourists annually, K2 has vast potential for tourism development. Zhang Bin stated that efforts will be accelerated to plan and construct tourism supporting facilities for K2, and consideration will be given to opening small helicopter routes to the K2 base camp, which would significantly reduce round-trip travel time for visitors. Local villagers’ camels could also serve as effective support for those wishing to head to higher camps. Tourism development will greatly help improve villagers’ income and living standards and holds strategic significance for further consolidating and developing border areas.
"Xinjiang-Tibet Highway Self-Driving Travel Itinerary Guide".docx