Tour Description

Beijing, Xi'an and Sichuan - Best of China 12-day Cycling Tour

12 Days: Dates: Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Cycling in Western Sichuan

Beijing, Xi'an and Sichuan - Best of China 12-day Cycling Tour

12 Days: Dates: Contact us with the dates that work for you.

On the Best of China 12-day Cycling Tour we will visit the major cultural attractions in Beijing and Xi'an, and then head to Sichuan for a cycling tour in the mountains. This tour is designed as an easy to moderate ride with an average cycling distance of about 58 km or 35 miles per cycling day. Riders will have a support vehicle to carry luggage (and cyclists when desired) during the Sichuan portion of the tour. This tour will visit both well-known and little-known sights and will appeal to those who have cultural, social and geographical interests.

This tour begins in Beijing. After arriving and getting settled at the hotel, the group will cycle through Beijing's old neighborhoods and along the narrow alleys called hutongs. The following day the group will tour by bike to visit Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. On the third day, the group will take a motor vehicle excursion to the Great Wall for a four-hour hike from Jinshanling to Simatai, and then fly to Xi'an in the evening.

The fourth day will be in Xi'an and we will visit the Terracotta Warriors by motor vehicle and then explore the city wall by bike in the afternoon followed by an evening flight to Chengdu.

On Day Five, the group will take transport 100 km to the Wolong Nature Reserve and cycle to the Panda Research Base. We will spend the night at Wolong and visit the Panda Research Center in the morning when the Giant Pandas are most active and plenty of photo opportunities.

The next day, the group will head up to Balangshan Pass (partially using transport) through the Wolong Nature Reserve. The pass is at 4,523 meters (14,835 feet). Yaks can be seen grazing on the slopes tended by Tibetan herdsman. At the top of the pass we will then coast down into a gorgeous valley to Rilongguan, at the base of Four Sisters Mountain.

On Day Seven we will have a fun easy day of cycling (mostly downhill) to Danba, located on the Dadu River, a major tributary to the Yangtze. Along the way we will visit a lamasery and a Tibetan Buddhist Temple. The next day will be spent hiking to explore the Danba area including some of the Tibetan Defensive towers the dot the hills around the town.

On Day Nine, we will take transport to the top of Balangshan pass, then cycle down the world's longest continuous downhill. Transport to Dujiangyan and dinner at a Riverside restaurant.

On the tenth day, Visit the ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation System, then cycle to Dayi Anren to visit Liu Landlord Manor used during the Cultural Revolution as a "re-education" center where over 100 life-sized clay figures show the "horrors" the landlord system imposed on the peasants. There will be transport to Chengdu with an acrobatic show and Sichuan opera in the evening.

On Day 11, the group will fly to Beijing in the morning, and have time for last-minute sightseeing and shopping.

The last day will be transport to the airport to return home or go to an onward destination.

Photos and travelogues covering portions of the route:

Beijing Photos

Sichuan Photos

Bike Trip to Danba Travelogue and Photos

Another Bike Trip to Danba Travelogue and Photos

Itinerary and Tour Details

Beijing, Xi'an and Sichuan - Best of China 12-day Cycling Tour
464 km - 278 miles
Route Map

Day	Location	Cycling km/miles	Total km/miles	Notes
				BEIJING
1	Beijing	32/20	32/20	Biking in Beijing's "hutong" - narrow allies to get a feel for the rapidly disappearing Old Beijing
2	Beijing	32/20	32/20	City tour by bike. Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City, and Temple of Heaven.
3	Beijing/Xi'an	0/0	355/217	Excursion by motor vehicle to Great Wall to hike from Jinshanling to Simatai. Fly to Xi'an in the evening.
				XI'AN, SHAANXI PROVINCE
4	Chengdu	32/20	32/20	Excursion by motor vehicle to Terracotta Warriors. Bike around the city wall. Fly to Chengdu in the evening.
				SICHUAN PROVINCE
5	Wolong	41/25	145/88	Take transport part way to Wolong. Visit the Wolong Panda Nature Reserve
6	Rilongguan	40/24	80/49	Take transport part way and/or cycle to the Balangshan Pass (4,523 meters, 14,835 feet). Cycle 31 km down to Rilongguan at the base of Four Sisters Mountains.
7	Danba	120/74	120/74	An easy and fun ride mostly downhill. Visit a Lamasery and a Tibetan Buddhist Temple.
8	Danba	32/20	32/20	Rest day for hiking to visit surrounding defense towers.
9	Dujiangyan	100/61	226/137	Transport to the top of Balangshan Pass, then cycle down the world's longest continuous downhill. Transport to Dujiangyan and dinner at a Riverside restaurant
10	Chengdu	50/30	80/48	Visit the ancient Dujiangyan Irrigation System, then cycle to Dayi Anren to visit Liu Landlord Manor used during the Cultural Revolution as a "re-education" center. Transport to Chengdu. Acrobat and Sichuan Opera show in the evening.
				BEIJING
11	Beijing	0/0	32/20	Return to Beijing in the morning. Guide to meet you for a day of last-minute sightseeing and shopping.
12	Beijing	0/0	32/20	Transport to Beijing airport to return home.
	Total Distance	464 km 278 miles	1098 km 731 mi

Details - Western Sichuan - Chengdu to the Tibet Border Cycling Tour

Dates: Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Start location: Beijing

Finish location: Beijing

Tour type: Vehicle-supported - riders carry their own day pack. Transport will be provided to carry gear (and cyclists when desired).

Geographical location: Northeast, Central and Southwestern China. Elevation range: 150 meters (500 feet) to 4,523 meters (14,835 feet)

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall. Chance of rain or snow. Historic weather information for Chengdu is available from the link below. Higher elevations will be colder.

Terrain: Flat, rolling, and mountainous

Cycling tour level: Easy to Moderate

Total cycling distance: Approximately 464 km (278 miles): Average distance per cycling day: 58 km (35 miles) Cycling will be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination.

Days: 12

Cycling Days: 9

Group size: 1 - 8

Accommodations: Will be basic Chinese hotels generally of the 3-star in the cities and best available in the countryside. The prices are for double occupancy rooms, and will vary depending on the number of people who participate.

Single room supplement: US$320

This tour is limited to no more than eight people. This will permit more flexibility in the program and allow more spontaneity for taking photos or exploring villages along the way.

This tour includes the following:

1. Bilingual bicycle tour guide.
2. All hotel accommodations (double occupancy) for 11 nights.
3. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
4. All group transportation costs including three flights (Beijing-Xi'an, Xi'an-Chengdu and Chengdu-Beijing) taxis, buses, and support vehicle during the bike tour.
5. All group entrance fees.
6. Optional rental bicycle is included (US$0).

This will be a vehicle-supported ride.

If you decide to do something on your own, you will be responsible for those costs.

Cost: The tour cost depends on the total number of people going on the tour and the time of year. Below are the prices per person (pp) and quoted in US dollars (US$) for non-holiday periods*:

Group size:
1 person: $4,720
2 people: $3,490 pp
3-4 people $3,190 pp
5-8 people $2,990 pp

Current registrations:

There are two people registered as of

An announcement of the cost of the tour will be made to the group 45-days prior to the start based on the number of registered members.

A deposit of $500 per person is required. This is fully refundable up to 45 days prior to the start of the tour. Submission of a deposit will guarantee your place on the tour. Balance is due at least 45 days prior to the beginning of the tour and payable by credit card, wire transfer, or personal check.

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