📅 28th August 2025 📍Kuqa, China

Eastbound from Kaxgar: Journey to Kuqa

We left Kaxgar behind while the city was still asleep, heading out into the sunrise at six a.m. The highway that carried us east was incredibly smooth and wide—definitely among the best we’ve seen so far. The majestic mountains still kept us company on the horizon, painting a dramatic backdrop for the first miles of the day.

Along the way, something caught our attention and made us smile: those countless roadside signs urging drivers not to fall asleep. At first it seemed almost comical, but after a few hours on the route, their necessity became clear. These routes can be monotonous despite the scenery. The occasional laser beams announcing the next electronic control station make you a little more alert.

Transport here is different too. The car haulers are real giants, easily stretching thirty meters, far longer than anything you’d encounter in Europe. They glide by, loaded with new vehicles, making us feel as if we’re driving alongside land-bound ships.

We made a stopover in Aksu, where we rolled up to a local VW dealer to charge up. Taking out and connecting our mobile charging cable had become a familiar ritual, even though it requires significantly more effort than simply plugging in the cable at a local charging station.

Each time, the garage staff gathered to listen to our story with genuine excitement. Telling them about our electric journey around the world always brought out big smiles and nods of encouragement.

As evening settled, we steered back onto the highway, heading toward Kuqa. Eventually, we stopped for a casual roadside dinner—simple, hearty, and exactly what we needed after a long day on the move.

When we finally reached our hotel, tired but satisfied, we knew we were right where we belonged.

Next stop: Turpan!