The railway is 1,446 km (899 mi) in length and runs along the southern slope of the Tian Shan mountain range, connecting all major cities and towns of the Northern Tarim Basin, including Turpan, Hejing, Yanqi, Korla, Luntai (Bügür), Kuqa, Toksu (Xinhe), Aksu, Maralbexi (Bachu), Artux, and Kashgar.

From 2008 to 2013, the Korla to Aksu section, 526.9 km (327 mi) in length, was double-tracked.

[4] In December 2014, a second double-track electrified line between Turpan and Korla opened to commercial operation.

[5] The line makes use of extensive tunneling to shorten the distance between the two cities by 123 km (76 mi).

[5] On 1 January 2021, a branch from south of Kalpin to Tumxuk was opened to passenger service.