Yunnan is definitely one of the most ethnically fascinating and scenically stunning provinces in all of China. Home to 25 of China's minority groups and over half of all China's plant and animal species - it is easy to understand why Yunnan is highly favored by all kinds of travelers.
On this van supported cycling journey you can expect extraordinary hill climbing and unique culture experience. Tour starts from Lijiang, UNESCO's World Heritage Site. We cycle to the third deepest gorge of the world, experience the extraordinary natural wonder Jade Dragon Mountain and Tiger Leaping Gorge-the third deepest gorge in the world with it's towering walls and dramatic beauty. Meander along the majestic Yangzi River and ride to the "first bend" of the river to visit a Stone Drum Town. We leave the river and cycle all the way to Shaxi, an extremely quiet and lovely village was once the center of the ancient caravan trading post. Our cycling trip finishes in Dali, the historical city and we will happy to relax in the laid back cobble stoned town of Dali where you can stroll around the local markets.
Yunnan is no doubt a world class cycling destination! This tour is supported by a Driver/Mechanic driving a van. You can always customize it as a guided tour.
Day 1 Lijiang UNECSO World Heritage
This tour will start in Lijiang where you’ll be met at the airport. Lijiang is an ancient Naxi town in northwestern Yunnan, with a history dating back over 800 years.You may stroll around this lovely town to visit many of it’s old houses, shops and an old governor's palace. In the evening we have dinner to welcome you all.
Day 2 Tiger Leaping Gorge
We transfer to the edge of Jade Dragon National Park and start the ride through the national park. We will pass some Naxi and Yi villages with a gorgeous view of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain on our left. The first half of this ride has two long climbs to get to our high point of the day at 3260m. From here we enjoy a spectacular 30 km downhill to Daju (1780m), this is a fantastic stretch with some great views of the big canyon of Jinsha Jiang River. After a late lunch stopwecross in a small ferry and thencycle to our guesthouse in Middle Gorge.
Ride 76km
Day 3 Yangtse Stone Drum Town
The start of today’s ride to Qiaotou, it is an amazing ride through the third deepest gorge in the world, you will have a chance to hike down to Yangtse and see the giant bolder in the river with huge rapids running over it. We rideto what is known as the“first bend” of the Yangtze since leaving Tibet. This is a popular spot for the locals to sell fruit and other local produce. We overnight at the ancient town of Shigu.
Ride 78 km
Day 4 Yangtse River to Shaxi Village
Another memorable day that will take us into the heart of rural Yunnan as we ride along the‘Old Tibet’road past tranquil scenes of mud brick villages, bamboo groves, rivers, and paddy fields. We will transfer for the first 65 KM and start today’s riding. After a gentle long climb we have some relatively flat enjoyable riding. A downhill through rural scenery takes us to Shaxi. (2075 m). You really sense a feeling of timelessness, as the way of life here has remained unchanged for centuries.
Ride90km
Day 5 Shaxi - Tea Horse Trading Post
A rest day will be scheduled in this lovely town. Shaxi started as a trading point of tea and horses during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907). The prosperity of the town was at its heights during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368 – 1912). This is probably the most intact horse caravan town on the Ancient tea route leading from Yunnan into Burma and Tibet. This morning you are free to explore the nearby Stone Bell Hill and visit the grottoes by bike or hire a car, in the afternoon you will visit The Sideng market square of the town of Shaxi was added to the World Monuments Watch List of Most Endangered Sites in 2001. This old town nestled in a valley is a perfect place to explore the surrounding villages and countryside.
Ride 0km
Day 6 Hot Spring Town
We start with another beautiful day of riding on the once very busy tea horse caravan route. The road was used by the horse caravans transporting tea and salt between villages and they went as far as to Tibet and India. We will follow the Heihui River and pass through some interesting villages. It’s flat, easy riding for 47KM to Liantie Town, our lunch place. After lunch we will be transferred to the mountain pass at 3022m. There is an exhilarating 22 KM downhill on the other side. We will ride for 10 KM and end the day in Xia shan Kou where we can soothe our sore muscles in the famous hot springs.
Ride 80 km
Day 7 Dali - kingdom of the Bai
This morning is the last riding day as we head to the historical town of Dali (1900 m). Cycling along a flat paved road between the towering Canshan Mountain range and Er Hai Lake, we should arrive in Old Dali in time for a late lunch. This fascinating town is home to the Bai people, one of the nation’s largest minorities and once the centre of the powerful 8th-century Nanzhao Kingdom. Dali is an extraordinary town to explore with its gated city walls, bustling old streets and lakeside setting. In the 16th Century, Dali was an important gateway for cultural exchange and trading with Southeast Asian countries. Today, it is a melting pot of different ethnic groups, reflected aptly in its amazing architecture, cobbled streets and colorful markets.
Ride 55 km
Day 8 Dali Onwards
Trip finishes after breakfast.
Mar. 27 (Sunday) - Apr. 03 (Sunday), 2022
Apr. 17 (Sunday) - Apr. 24 (Sunday), 2022
May 08 (Sunday) - May 15 (Sunday), 2022
Oct. 09 (Sunday) - Oct. 16 (Sunday), 2022
Oct. 30 (Sunday) - Nov. 06 (Sunday), 2022
Tour Prices in US$
$990/person for 6+ persons
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3 - 5 persons add $150/person
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2 - 2 persons add$300/person
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Private dates add US$100/person
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Singleroom Supplement: $180/person
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Lightweight MT Bike Rental: $100/person
E-Mountain Bike Rental: $200/person
Bicycle details advised below
INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE:
--All overnights in hotels and guesthouses
--5 picnics or coffee tea breaks
--Unlimited drinking water on the van
--Support van for luggage and cyclists
--Road book with detailed trip notes
--GPS routes
--English Speaking phone call support
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:
--All services not mentioned
--All entry fees and sightseeing
--Meals
--Tipping or gratuities
--Mandatory intl. travel insurance
--Bicycles
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A typical road side picnic includes hot tea, coffee, fruits ( fresh and dried), bread, cheese, salami and salad etc.
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AM Mountain Bike
Lightweight aluminium frame
20 speed Shimano Deore M6000 Gears
Lockable Front Shocks
Hydraulic Disk Brakes
Two bottle cages
26'/27.5'/29' wheels available
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Cobra E-Mountain Bike
Lightweight aluminium frame
Lockable Front Shocks
Hydraulic Disk Brakes
One bottle cage
SyncDrive Core, 50Nm
5-Level Smooth Drives
Digital display panel with mode controls
Shimano Alivio 9-Speed gears
Go Further, Go Faster with 100km range
26'/27.5'/29' wheels available
"Great tour with amazing landscape, the support crew was excellent. The cycling was quite challenging but you can always use the van. Food was good, too and the the picnics were healthy and nutritious. All in all a very good tour with good value."
Merlin - Sweden
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"I will never forget this trip, it's my birthday gift, the best ever for me. Everything was perfect. I fell in love with China! Huge thanks to Mr. Tang, our driver who took very care of us. I definitely will recommend Active China to people who love active travels."
Dorothy & Alex - Australia
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“”Absolutely one of my best cycling tours, top notch bikes and professional support driver. World class scenery and challenging climbs. We did this tour with the GPS routes and road book given. Thanks to the support van, we can choose to challenge ourselves or go into the van. I highly recommend ActiveChina and this tour to every cyclist.“”
Jo and Kath - Germany
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"We enjoyed this cycling holiday so much ! Being in a small group of just two of us. We had so much flexibility on the trip. Much appreciated our driver Tang who was a safe driver and a good cook. Yunnan was just amazing, if you are looking for a perfect holiday don't miss it."
Lim & John - UK