URUMQI, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has invested 120 million yuan (17.44 million U.S. dollars) to upgrade a popular highway for road trips, according to the regional department of transportation.

The 537-km highway, connecting Dushanzi in northern Xinjiang and Kuqa County in the south, runs through glaciers, forests, grasslands and various landforms.

It is known as one of China's most beautiful stretches of road.

The region built 33 parking lots at tourist destinations that can accommodate more than 1,500 cars, 19 environmentally friendly public toilets and 81 garbage disposal stations along the highway.

The department of transportation in the region also provided tourists with free online guiding services along the highway.