Tour Description
The Grand Bike Tour of Southwest and Central China
The Grand Bike Tour of Southwest and Central China
This 54-day bicycle expedition begins in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province and one of the major economic centers in China. This tour is designed as a moderately strenous ride. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 60 miles (100 km). Riders will carry their own luggage unless special arrangements are made. This tour will visit both well-known and little-known sights and will appeal to those who have cultural, social and geographical interests.
Organization
The Tour will be divided in five parts to allow you to join in for whatever period suits you best. Here are the links to the details.
A Five-Part Tour
Itinerary Details
Part 1 - Guangzhou to Guilin
Part 2 - Guilin to Guiyang
Part 3 - Guiyang to Kunming
Part 4 - Kunming to Chengdu
Part 5 - Chengdu to Lanzhou
Join us for any or all!
Some Photos Highlights of
The Grand Tour of Southwest and Central China
Part 1 – Guangzhou, Guangdong Province to Guilin, Guangxi Province
Part 1 of this 54-day bicycle expedition lasts for 11 days and begins in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province. Guangzhou is accessible via air from Hong Kong, Singapore, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and most major cities in China. On the first day, the group will meet and there will be a warm-up tour of Guangzhou where we will visit Shamian Island and Qingping Market, Ocean Banner Monastery. At night there will be a Pearl River boat tour.
On day two we will visit a temple, then head west to Sanshui (Three Waters). The following days tour heads north into area with karst landscape and then west into the Yao Minority area. The route continues west into Guangxi Province to one of China’s best known landscapes, the karst hills of Guilin. On day nine we will arrive in Yangshou for a well deserved break which will provide an opportunity to explore the area including Moon Hill, visit a Confucian and Buddhist temples, a village during market day, and watch the cormorant bird fishing at night with its owner. Part 1 ends in Guilin which has excellent transportation connections to other parts of China and Hong Kong via air or train.
Part 1 Itinerary and Tour Details
PART I - GUANGZHOU
TO GUILIN - 750 km (468 mi) |
|||
| Day | Location | # of KM | Notes |
| GUANGDONG PROVINCE | |||
| 1 | Guangzhou | 30 |
Meet group members/Brief City Tour - Shamian Island, Qingpping Market, Pearl River Boat Tour at night |
| 2 | Sanshui/Guangzhou | 50 | Temple, Mosque, Sanshui Forest Park |
| 3 | Qingyuan | 86 | Lubao Ancestral Temple, Wen Pagoda, Water Splashing Tower |
| 4 | Jiulong | 79 | Tai he Cave, Yanzi Crag, Rongqiang Miniature Guilin |
| 5 | Yangshan | 109 | Yingxi Mountians, Yangyan Cave, Hanyu Angling Terrace, Yao Minority Village |
| 6 | Lianshan | 78 | Huangchuan Three Gorges, Yao Autonomous Region |
| GUANGXI PROVINCE | |||
| 7 | Liantang | 87 | Karst Hill Scenery |
| 8 | Yuantou | 74 | Karst Hill Scenery |
| 9 | Yangshou | 77 | Confuscian Temple |
| 10 | Yangshou | 30 | Rest Day, Moon Hill Black Buddha Caves |
| 11 | Guilin | 50 | 25 km boat ride up the Li River, cormorant fishing and cycle to Guilin |
| Total Distance | 750km 468mi |
END OF PART I | |
Part 1 Details - Guangzhou to Guilin
Start location: Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
Finish location: Guilin, Guangxi Province
Tour type: No support vehicle - riders carry there own luggage and gear unless
special arrangements are made.
Geographical location: South and Central China Elevation range: 160 feet (50
meters) to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters)
Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall.
Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous
Cycling tour level: moderate to challenging
Total cycling distance: Approximately 500 miles (818 km): Average distance
per travel day: 60 miles (100 km) Cycling may be supplemented on occasion
with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination before
dark.
Days: 11
Group size: 1 - 8
Land cost for Part 1:(see below)
Additional Details
Part 2 – Guilin, Guangxi Province to Guiyang, Guizhou Province
Part 2 of the Grand Tour begins in Guilin and will last for seven days. There will be brief city tour where we will visit Seven Star Park and Reed Flute Cave. The area around Guilin is famous for the karst landscape (limestone hill formations jutting up from an otherwise level ground and the subject of countless traditional Chinese paintings). This area is also riddled with caves used extensively by locals to hide when the Japanese invaded during World War II. On day two, we will head out into the countryside for some fresh air and go north to Longsheng.
Longsheng is located in an area that is known as the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces where entire mountain sides have been transformed into wedding-cake like sculptures. The next stop at Sanjiang brings us into to one of China’s many minority areas where the Dong people live. The distinctive Wind and Rain Bridges as well as the Drum Towers offer are unique architectural features that clearly identify each village. As we will cycle along the road will pass bamboo waterwheels working to irrigate the rice fields. The route continues northwest into Guizhou Province to Guiyang.
Part 2 Itinerary and Tour Details
| PART 2 - GUILIN
TO GUIYANG - 606 km (370 mi) |
||||||
| Trip Day | Part 2 Day | Location | # of KM | Notes | ||
| GUANGXI PROVINCE | ||||||
| 12 | 1 | Guilin | 30 | Explore Guilin's sights including Seven Star Park and Reed-Flute Cave | ||
| 13 | 2 | Longsheng | 110 | Zhuang Minority area, Rice Terraces | ||
| 14 | 3 | Sanjiang | 85 | Dong Minority: Wind and Rain Bridges and Drum Tower | ||
| 15 | 4 | Rongjiang | 219 | Cycle from Sanjiang to Rongjiang (take two days). Rongjiang - Village of Chejiang | ||
| GUIZHOU PROVINCE | ||||||
16 |
5 |
Sandushuizu | 108 | Xishan Miao King Temple | ||
| 17 | 6 | Duyun | 90 | Zhang Chong Precipice Inscriptions | ||
| 18 | 7 | Guiyang | 110 | Capital of Guizhou - Qianling Park, Provincial Museum | ||
| PART 2 Distance | 606km 370mi |
END OF PART 2 - Trip Total Parts 1 & 2 - 1,424km (869mi) | ||||
Part 2 - Details Guilin to Guiyang
Start location: Guilin, Guangxi Province
Finish location: Guiyang, Guizhou Province
Tour type: No support vehicle - riders carry there own luggage and gear unless
special arrangements are made.
Geographical location: Southwest and Central China Elevation range: 650 feet
(200 meters) to 6,500 feet (2,000 meters)
Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall.
Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous
Cycling tour level: moderate to challenging
Total cycling distance: Approximately 370 miles (600 km): Average distance
per travel day: 60 miles (100 km) Cycling may be supplemented on occasion
with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination before
dark.
Days: 7
Group size: 1 - 8
Land cost for Part 2: (see below)
Additional Details
Part 3 – Guiyang, Guizhou Province to Kunming, Yunnan Province
Part 3 begins in Guiyang and travels to Kunming in eight days. On the first day the tour the group will explore Guiyang, visiting the Provincial Museum and Qianling Park. On day two we head west to Anshun where there are limestone karst hills and visit Wen Temple and Hongshan Reservior. The following day the tour passes the Dragon Palace (Longgong) Caves before reaching Huangguoshu (Yellow Fruit Tree) Falls, the largest waterfall in China. The route continues southwest stopping in Qinglong and Panxian. This area is populated with the many different sects of the Miao minority.
Crossing the Shengjing Pass the route enters Yunnan Province, home to a third of China’s minorities. The tour stops in Fuyuan and Qujing before reaching the capital of Kunming.
Part 3 Itinerary and Tour Details
| PART 3 - GUIYANG
TO KUNMING - 700 km (427 mi) |
||||
| Trip Day | Part 3 Day | Location | # of KM | Notes |
| GUIZHOU PROVINCE | ||||
| 19 | 1 | Guiyang | 20 | Capital of Guizhou - Qianling Park, Provincial Museum |
| 20 | 2 | Anshun | 107 | Hongfeng Lake, Wen Temple |
| 21 | 3 | Huangguoshu Falls | 66 | Largest Waterfalls in China, Longgong (Dragon Palace) Caves |
| 22 | 4 | Qinglong | 112 | Panjiang Chain Bridge |
| 23 | 5 | Panxian | 108 | Biyun Cave |
| YUNNAN PROVINCE | ||||
| 24 | 6 | Fuyuan | 66 | Shengjing Pass |
| 25 | 7 | Qujing | 73 | Unicorn Park |
| 26 | 8 | Kunming | 148 | Capital of Yunnan, Musuem, Tang Dynasty Pagodas, Yuantong Temple, Chuhu Park, Mosques |
| PART 3 Distance | 700km 427mi |
END OF PART 3 - Trip Total Parts 1 - 3 - 2,124km (1,296mi) | ||
Part 3 Details - Guiyang to Kunming
Finish location: Kunming, Yunnan Province
Tour type: No support vehicle - riders carry there own luggage and gear unless
special arrangements are made.
Geographical location: Southwest and Central China Elevation range: 3,300
feet (1000 meters) to 8,200 feet (2,500 meters)
Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall.
Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous
Cycling tour level: moderate to challenging
Total cycling distance: Approximately 430 miles (700 km): Average distance
per travel day: 60 miles (100 km) Cycling may be supplemented on occasion
with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination before
dark.
Days: 8
Group size: 1 - 8
Land cost for Part 3: (see below)
Additional Details
Part 4 – Kunming, Yunnan Province to Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Part 4 begins with a city tour of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan visiting Yuantong Temple, Green Lake and Tang Dynasty Pagodas. Day 2 starts with a morning flight to Shangri-La (Zhongdian), located in northwest Yunnan. At an elevation of 3,200 meters (10,500 feet), it is at the edge of Tibet and about half its population is Tibetan. Here we will visit Songzanlin Monastery and Tiansheng Bridge hot springs. Heading southwest and mostly downhill, the next stop is Qiaotao, the south entrance to Tiger Leaping Gorge. A day will be spent here viewing one of the world’s deepest gorges. The following day we head to Lijiang, home of the Naxi minority and set in a valley overshadowed by Jade Dragon Snow Mountian. With a picturesque old town including fast moving water through open waterways and wooden architecture, Lijiang makes a good two-day stopover. Visits to surrounding villages will include the 15th century frescoes and Yufeng Monastary.
The next part of this tour take us east and north to Yongsheng, the entrance to Lugu Lake at elevation 2,685 meters ( 8,800 feet). Here the Mosu minority lives and still practices matriarchy. At the lake we will visit the Liwubi Island and nearby Yongning Monastery. The route heads back to Yongsheng (via vehicle transport) where we will head into the Guanyinqing valley toward Panzhihua. From nearby Jinjiang we will take the train to Chengdu.
Part 4 KUNMING TO CHENGDU Itinerary and Tour Details
| PART 4 - KUNMING
TO CHENGDU - 867 km (529mi) |
||||
| Trip Day | Part 4 Day | Location | # of KM | Notes |
| YUNNAN PROVINCE | ||||
| 27 | 1 | Shangri-La (Zhongdian) | 30 | Fly from Kunming to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) |
| 28 | 2 | Shangri-La (Zhongdian) | 30 | Rest day - Explore "Shangrila" - Tibetan Songzanlin Monastery |
| 29 | 3 | Qiaotao | 96 | Entrance to Tiger Leaping Gorge |
| 30 | 4 | Qiaotao | 30 | Explore Tiger Leaping Gorge |
| 31 | 5 | Lijiang | 109 | First Bend of the Yangtze River, Zhuyun Monastery |
| 32 | 6 | Lijiang | 30 | Baisha Frescos, Yufeng Monastery |
| 33 | 7 | Yongsheng | 92 | |
| 34 | 8 | Ninglang | 112 | Tibetan, Yi and Mosu minorities |
| 35 | 9 | Luoshui | 81 | Lugu Lake |
| 36 | 10 | Yongning | 30 | Yongning Monastery |
| 37 | 11 | Yongsheng | 30 | Lugu Lake, Liwubi Island. Afternoon transport to Yongsheng |
| 38 | 12 | Huaping | 114 | Guanyinqing Valley |
| SICHUAN PROVINCE | ||||
| 39 | 13 | Panzhihua (Jinjiang) | 63 | |
| 40 | 14 | Jingjiang to Chengdu | 20 | 15-hour train to Chengdu |
| PART 4 Distance | 867km 529mi |
END OF PART 4 - Trip Total Parts 1 - 4 - 2,991km (1,825mi) | ||
Part 4 Details - Kunming to Chengdu
Start location: Kunming, Yunnan Province
Finish location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Tour type: No support vehicle - riders carry there own luggage and gear unless
special arrangements are made.
Geographical location: Southwest and Central China Elevation range: 6,600
feet (2,000 meters) to 11,500 feet (3,500 meters)
Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall.
Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous
Cycling tour level: moderate to challenging
Total cycling distance: Approximately 530 miles (870 km): Average distance
per travel day: 60 miles (100 km) Cycling may be supplemented on occasion
with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination before
dark.
Days: 14
Group size: 1 - 8
Land cost for Part 4: (see below)
Additional Details
Part 5 Chengdu, Sichuan Province to Lanzhou, Gansu Province
Part 5 of the Grand Bike Tour begins in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, one of the major cultural centers in China and home of the Giant Panda, famous silk, fabulous food, and great teahouses. On the first day, there will be a warm-up tour of the city where we will visit the Panda Breeding Research Center and Wenshu Buddhist Monastery and teahouse. Next will head west to Dujiangyan, a location of the historic 2,000 year-old irrigation system that is still in use today. Following the Minjiang River, the route heads north to Maoxian and Zhenjiangguan before reaching Songpan a half Tibetan town and the jumping off point for Jiuzhaigou Natural Reserve. Here we will spend a day exploring the area and viewing the unique lakes, streams and waterfalls. Heading higher in altitude, climbing gradually out of the Yangtse River Basin and onto the Tibetan Plateau to an elevation of 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). This section will be by vehicle transport since the roads are not paved.
We will pass Tibetan nomads camped out on the treeless plateau herding their Yaks. The route then leads us to Zoige, where there is a Tibetan temple. Next, we will be transported to Xiahe, home of the Labrang Tibetan Yellow Sect Monastery, which at one time housed more than 5,000 monks. Then we cycle mostly downhill to the Muslin community of Linxia. The route continues through a quiet Muslim minority area to the Yellow River Reservoir and a ferry across takes us to the Binglingsi Buddhist Grottoes. The tour ends in Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province with a population of 1.5 million, located in north central China on the upper reaches of the Yellow River.
Part 5 Itinerary and Tour Details
| PART 5 - CHENGDU
TO LANZHOU - 747 km (456 mi) |
||||
| Trip Day | Part 5 Day | Location | # of KM | Notes |
| SICHUAN PROVINCE | ||||
| 41 | 1 | Chengdu | 30 | Panda Research Base, Wenshu Monastery, River Viewing Pavilion |
| 42 | 2 | Dujiangyan | 66 | 2,500 year old Irrigation System |
| 43 | 3 | Maoxian | 105 | |
| 44 | 4 | Zhenjiangguan | 97 | |
| 45 | 5 | Songpan | 45 | Tibetan town |
| 46 | 6 | Jiuzhaigou | 102 | Nine Gully Stockade National Park |
| 47 | 7 | Jiuzhaigou | 30 | Rest day - Explore area |
| 48 | 8 | Zoige | 20 | Transport 206 km to Zoige, Tibetan Monastery |
| GANSU PROVINCE | ||||
| 49 | 9 | Xiahe | 20 | Transport 157 km to Xiahe, Labrang Tibetan Monastery |
| 50 | 10 | Xiahe | 20 | Sangke Grasslands |
| 51 | 11 | Linxia | 87 | Muslin Hui and Dongxiang Minorities |
| 52 | 12 | Yongjing | 30 | Cycle to Yellow River Reservior then ferry to Binglingsi Grottos |
| 53 | 13 | Lanzhou | 75 | Museum, White Pagoda Park |
| 54 | 14 | Lanzhou | - | End of Trip |
| PART 5 Distance | 747km 456mi |
END OF PART 5 - Trip Total Parts 1 - 5 - 3,738km (2,280mi) | ||
Part 5 Details - Chengdu to Lanzhou
Start location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Finish location: Lanzhou, Gansu Province
Tour type: No support vehicle - riders carry there own luggage and gear unless
special
arrangements are made.
Geographical location: Central China Elevation range: 1,640 feet (500 meters)
to 11,500 feet (3,500 meters)
Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall.
Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous
Cycling tour level: moderate to challenging
Total cycling distance: Approximately 456 miles (747 km): Average distance
per travel day: 35 miles (60 km) with a maximum of 65 miles (105 kilometers).
Cycling may be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary
to reach the next destination before dark.
Days: 14
Group size: 1 - 8
Land cost for Part 5: (see below)
Additional Details
Send a Note of Interest or Request Additional Information
Additional Details Common to All Parts
Private room supplement: US$ per Part.
Rental bike: US$ per Part
Accommodations will generally be 2-3 star hotels. It will be necessary to
use a 0-1 star hotel when better hotels are not available.
The cost of the tour includes 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.
The tour cost includes the following:
- Bilingual bicycle tour guide.
- All hotel accommodations.
- Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
- All group transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis).
- All group entrance fees.
This will be a self-supported ride. This means that each person will carry
their own luggage throughout the trip. Alternative transportation (buses,
trucks or taxis) will be used when necessary to reach the next destination.
If, however, there is a desire by some members have a support vehicle, I will
provide cost information. (Note: This tour is also available with a dedicated support vehicle at a higher cost.)
If you decide to do something on your own, you will be responsible for those
costs.
Prices depend on the total number of people going on the tour. Below are the
price per person and quoted in US dollars (US$) for non-holiday periods*:
| Tour Cost per Person (in US dollars) for non-holiday periods* | ||||
| 1 Participant | 2 Participants | 3 Participants | 4-8 Participants | |
| Part 1 | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email |
| Part 2 | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email |
| Part 3 | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email |
| Part 4 | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email |
| Part 5 | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email | Call/Email |
* Cost varies by the number of participants for each part (i.e., if three or fewer people participate in Part 4 the cost for each person will increase for that part).
* 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; Labor Day ; and National Day.
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 the beginning of the tour.
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For general ride information that applies to all rides, please visit out FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and the General Info page.
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