The total length of expressways in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has topped 5,200 km, including a recently-opened route.

An expressway that links the counties of Shule and Karakax recently opened to traffic, connecting Hotan Prefecture, where Karakax County is located, with Kashgar Prefecture, where Shule county is. 

The route stretches 434 km and is a sub-section of the G30 National Expressway.

Construction of the expressway began in July 2017, and the new route is expected to significantly slash travel time between Hotan and other prefectures and cities. Traveling between Hotan Prefecture and the city of Urumqi, Xinjiang's regional capital, is expected to be reduced by at least four hours.

Besides the newly built expressway, other routes are worth a road trip because of the scenery they offer, including the highway connecting Dushanzi in northern Xinjiang and Kuqa County in the south.

The 537-km highway runs through glaciers, forests, grasslands and various landforms, and is known as one of China's most beautiful road stretches.

Last month, the region built 33 parking lots at various tourist destinations to accommodate more than 1,500 cars, and established 19 environmentally friendly public toilets and 81 garbage disposal stations along the route.

( Cover image: Road in Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. /VCG Photo )

( With input from Xinhua News Agency)