Tour Description

Western Sichuan - Rivers, Mountains, Glaciers, Pandas, and Tibetans 12-Day Bike Tour

Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Tibetan children in Bamei

Western Sichuan - Rivers, Mountains, Glaciers, Pandas, and Tibetans 12-Day Bike Tour

Contact us with the dates that work for you.

This 12-day bicycle tour through Western Sichuan begins and ends in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, home to the Giant Panda and spicy food. The cycling on this tour is relatively moderate to challenging. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 34 miles (56 km). Vehicle transport will be used on several days to supplement the cycling to get to the next destination. This will be a vehicle supported ride so cyclists will carry only their daypacks. 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 with a tour of brief tour of Chengdu visiting Wenshu Monastery, the River Viewing Pagoda and a local tea house with Sichuan opera.

Pandas

The following day the group will take transport to west to Dujiangyan, the location of the 2,500 year old irrigation system that is still in use today. This irrigation system was responsible for the end of severe drought and flooding problems and the development of the Sichuan basin as the rice bowl of southwest China. Lunch will be along the one of these canals. We will continue to the road leading into the Wolong Panda Nature Reserve where we will cycle to Wolong and visit the Panda Research Center with plenty of panda photo opportunities.

On the third 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). Along the way, 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 Girls Mountains (6250 m, 20,500 ft), rugged snow covered peaks. Extended cycling options will be open to those who wish to try cycling at high elevation.

Wori Defensive Tower

On day four, the group will cycle (mostly downhill) to Xiaojin Xian where there is a Buddhist Temple, an Islamic Mosque and a Catholic Church where Mao spend some time on the Long March. Along the way will be visits to Twin Bridge Valley and Wori Tibetan Defensive Tower.

On Day five, we will cycle to Danba, located on the Dadu River, a major tributary to the Yangzi. We will also visit a lamasery and a Tibetan Buddhist Temple. There will be a rest day here so the group can explore the area including some of the Tibetan Defensive towers the dot the hills around the town.

From Danba we will head south along the Dadu (going downstream) part way to Kangding, a Tibetan town with a rushing river flowing through the middle of it. We will visit an interesting Tibetan Monastery.

On Day 8, the group will cycle over a 4,000-meter pass leading to Moxi, the gateway to Hailuogou Glacier Park. On Day 9 we will visit the lowest glacier in Asia and, weather permitting, see some spectacular views of Gongga Shan, a peak of 7,556 m (24,784 ft). Hiking and mountain biking and hot springs are some of the possible activities.

Cycling downhill from Moxi, the group will get transported most of the way to Xiling Mountain area and stay in a hotel with hot spring. Options for longer distances will be available to those who want more cycling.

On Day 11, the group will cycle to Anren near Dayi, to visit the Li Landlord Manor. This is a good example of a feudal manor and was used as a re-education center to illustrate the evils of the landlord-serf system and includes an area of over 100 life-size clay figures graphically displaying the downtrodden workers being abused by the landlord.

On the last day, the group will cycle back to Chengdu, stopping for lunch in the small fishing village of Huanglongxi that is used as a set in classic period movies.

Below is the route summary with distance in kilometer/miles and note if alternative transportation may be used for part of the way.

Some Photos Highlights of
Rivers, Mountains, Glaciers, Pandas, and Tibetans

Sichuan Photos More Sichuan Photos

Itinerary

Day	Location	Cycling Distance KM/Miles	Total Distance	SICHUAN PROVINCE
1	Chengdu	20/12	20/12	Visit Wenshu Monastery, the River Viewing Pagoda and a local tea house with Sichuan Opera
2	Wolong	100/61	170/104	Take transport part way. Visit the 2,500 year-old Irrigation System and the Wolong Panda Nature Reserve.
3	Rilongguan (Four Girls Mountain)	50/31	98/60	Take transport part way and/or cycle to the Balangshan Pass (4,523 meters, 14,850 feet). Cycle 37 km down to Rilongguan at the base of Four Girls Mountains. Optional additional cycling.
4	Xiaojin	60/37	60/37	Hike or off-road cycle in this mountain area in the morning, then cycle to Xiaojin and visit the Catholic Church, Islamic Temple, Buddhist Temple.
5	Danba	60/37	60/37	Explore Wori Feudal Lord Tower, Twin Bridge Gorge,
6	Danba	30/18	30/18	Visit 500-year old Lamasery, Tibetan Temple and Tibetan Defensive Towers
7	Kangding	138/84	100/61	Continue down the Dadu River. Take transport part way. Optional additional cycling.
8	Moxi	43/26	43/26	Cycle over a 4,000 meter pass to Moxi
9	Moxi	0/0	0/0	Visit the Hailuogou Glacier Park with glacier hikes and hot springs
10	Xiling Mountain	39/24	237/145	Take transport part way. Hot springs and temples. Optional additional cycling.
11	Anren	61/37	61/37	Li Landlord Manor Rent Collection Courtyard Sculpture
12	Chengdu	89/54	89/54	Cycle back to Chengdu visiting Hunaglongxi village the set of many classic period movies.
	Total Distance	652/398	1007/614

Tour Details

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

Start location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Finish location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Tour type: Support vehicle - riders carry only their day-use items.

Geographical location: Southwest China Elevation range: 1,700 feet (500 meters) to 15,300 feet (4,523 meters).

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall. Summer will be hot and rainy. Click on the weather links below to obtain historical weather information.

Cycling tour level: Moderate to challenging

Total cycling distance: Approximately 398 miles (652 km): Average distance per travel day: 36 miles (59 km) Cycling may be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary. Options for additional cycling distance will be available on three days.

Days: 12

Nights: 12

Group size: 1 - 8

Accommodations: Will be basic Chinese hotels generally of the 0-3 star variety. The prices are for double occupancy rooms. This tour is limited to no more than eight people.

Prices include the following:

1. Bilingual bicycle tour guide.
2. All hotel accommodations for 13 nights.
3. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
4. All group transportation costs including taxis to/from the airport.
5. All group entrance fees.
6. Bike Rental.

This will be a vehicle-supported ride. This means that each person will carry only their day-use items while cycling. Vehicle transportation will be used when necessary.

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

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

Group size:
1 person: US$4,590
2 people: US$,3,380 pp
3 people: US$2,620 pp
4-8 people US$1,910 pp

Private room supplement: US$210
Rental bike: US$0 (included).

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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