Xinjiang's Must-Drive Freedom Road—A Civilization Amidst Vast Wilderness and Awe-Inspiring Solitude

⛰️ Every year, I embark on a self-driving trip to Xinjiang. I've explored the lush beauty of Northern Xinjiang and the cultural diversity of Southern Xinjiang. However, Eastern Xinjiang has often been just a fleeting stopover for me. I've always been curious about the Turpan I read about in textbooks and the "Silk Road City, Sweet Hami" advertisements displayed in Zhengzhou's subway stations. So this time, I decided to explore Xinjiang by following the ancient Silk Road. Starting from Urumqi, I drove the AITO M9 westward to the Anjihai Grand Canyon, then headed east through Turpan's Flaming Mountains and finally reached Hami's Great Gobi Desert. 🏜️ At the Flaming Mountains, where even Tang Sanzang and his disciples struggled to endure the heat, the temperature outside reached a scorching 48°C. Yet, inside the car, the onboard refrigerator kept Turpan's sweet and refreshing fruits cool, and the air conditioning turned the vehicle into a mobile oasis. In the signal-deprived Great Gobi Desert, the AITO M9's Starlink communication system ensured uninterrupted connectivity, eliminating any fear of being out of touch and providing a strong sense of security. Even on bumpy, unpaved roads, the M9's superior chassis performance kept the vehicle stable, allowing for smooth and free passage. Additionally, with the Huawei ADS assisted driving system, the blue light indicator enabled seamless ETC passage. Long-distance self-driving became effortless, as the assisted driving feature made traversing over 1,000 kilometers a breeze, even for a solo traveler. 🛣️ Driving along this route, I felt a profound sense of mystery and vastness, often evoking a feeling of "the world is vast, and I am free to roam." Holding the steering wheel tightly, I felt empowered, knowing I wouldn't lose my way. Freedom, direction, and strength—this is the life I aspire to: being the driver of my own life, deciding where to go, how to get there, and what to do, all on my own terms.