Bicycle Tour Description

South Central China - Changsha, Hengshan and Zhengjiajie 8-Day Bike Tour

Zhangjiajie National Park

South Central China - Changsha, Hengshan and Zhengjiajie 8-Day Bike Tour

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

This 8-day bicycle tour begins in Chansha, the capital of Hunan province. The area we will be traveling through is south of the Yangtze River in South Central China. The the three highlights of the tour are Changsha, where Chairman Mao Zedong both studied and later taught, Hengshan and Zhangjiajie.

Hengshan, also known as South Mountain (Nan Hengshan), is the most sacred of the five sacred Buddhist mountains in China. Nan Hengshan is the home of the god of fire in Taoism. Historically, many officials even emperors have come here to pray for deliverance from the floods. The highest peak on the mountain is Zhurong peak is 1,290 meters above sea level and is the best place to view the sunrise. On top of the peak is the Zhurong Hall, a Taoist temple. Nan Hengshan is more famous for its misty fog, endless bamboo oceans and mountain capping clouds than its temples. In 1935 Hugh Farley wrote this about the scenery, "Magnificent was the view, for the temples stands on a pinnacle of rock with unobstructed vision in all directions. Never before in China have I so fully appreciated the proximity or contrast of fertility and barrenness, of water and of drought, of living greenness like the sea and stark brownness like the desert."

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, a UNESCO's World Heritage Site. There are thousands of stone peaks that stand out with snaking creeks flowing through and around them. The scenery in Zhangjiajie can be described as beautiful, wild, grotesque, and refreshing. You can hike up thousands of steps (or take a cable car) to the peaks of Yellow Stone Mountain and Tianzi Mountain. Then enjoy a relaxing stroll along the banks of Golden Whip Stream. There are also monkeys and other protected species rarely seen in China.

On the first day we will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. We would then take an easy going tour of Changsha and visit the Hunan No. 1 Training School where Mao Zedong studied and taught.

On Day 2, we would take an early bus to Hengshan and visit the ancient town (with a history of over 1,000 years) at the foot of the mountain. Then we would hike the mountain and spend the night at the top. At dawn on the third day we would get up to see the spectacular sunrise. Afterwards we would return to Changsha and then cycle to Yiyang.

On Days 4-7 we would cycle to Zhangjiajie and on the last day spend the day hiking around this magical place. In the evening, you could fly to from Zhangjiajie to your next destination.

Itinerary and Tour Details South Central China - Changsha, Hengshan and Zhengjiajie 8-Day Bike Tour - 274 km (167 mi) Route Map
Day	Location	KM/Miles	Total KM	Notes
				HUNAN PROVINCE
1	Changsha	20/12	20/12	Meet group members at the airport then a bike tour of Changsha and visit of Hunan No. 1 Training School
2	Hengshan	0/0	144/88	Transport to Hengshan for hiking, exploring temples. Stay near the top for the sunrise the next day.
3	Yiyang	60/37	240/146	Sunrise a top of Hengshan then return to Changsha by vehicle to get the bikes then head north of town and cycle to Yiyang.
4	Changde	65/40	100/61	Cycle to Chengde and visit Iron Buddhists Inscription Pillar and Ming Prince Rongding's Tomb.
5	Reshi	61/37	61/37	Cycle to Reshi and relax in a hot spring.
6	Cili	63/38	63/38	Take the back country roads to Cili.
7	Wulingyuan	69/42	69/42	Cycle to Wulingyuan along the back roads passing by Mount Suoxiyu.
8	Zhangjiaje	0/0	50/31	Explore the Zhangjiajie National Park. End of tour. An airport at Zhangjiajie allows connections to Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing and Shanghai.
	Total Distance	338 km 206 mi	747 km 455 mi

Details - South Central China - Changsha, Hengshan and Zhengjiajie 8-Day Bike Tour

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

Start location: Changsha, Hunan Province

Finish location:Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province

Tour type: Self-supported - riders carry their own luggage. Transport will be provided for riders if necessary to reach the next destination. (Note: This tour is also available with a dedicated support vehicle at a higher cost.)

Geographical location: South Central China Elevation range: 300 feet (100 meters) to 4,200 feet (1,300 meters)

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall.

Terrain: Flat and rolling

Cycling tour level: Moderate

Total cycling distance: Approximately 274 km (206 miles): Average distance per travel day: 565 km (34 miles). Cycling may be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination .

Days: 8

Nights:7

Group size: 1-8

Accommodations will be basic Chinese hotels generally of the 3 star variety. It may be necessary to use a 1-2 star hotel/guesthouse.

Prices are for double occupancy rooms, and will vary depending on the number of people who participate. 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.

Prices include the following:

1. Bicycle tour guide.
2. All hotel accommodations for seven nights.
3. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
4. All group transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis) and transport to/from the airports.
5. All group entrance fees.
6. Transport of gear and cyclists when necessary. Riders will carry their own luggage.

Bicycle rental US$100. Provided are a bike, panniers, lock, gloves, raincape and helmet.

This will be a self-supported ride. This means that riders will carry their own luggage.

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

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$2,450pp
2-3 people US$1,620pp
4-8 people US$1,300pp

* Holiday Periods require a 30% surcharge to the basic price due to increased costs of hotels and transportation. Tours with overlapping dates will be prorated. These periods are: Chinese New Year (Feb. 7, 2008) from Feb 1-17, 2008 and (Jan. 26, 2009) from Jan. 19 to Feb. Feb.2, 2009; Labor Day Apr. 24 - May 10; and National Day Sep. 25 - Oct. 10.

An announcement of the cost of the tour 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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