Bicycle Tour Description
Southwest China - Chengdu to Zhongdian (Bo People Coffins, Lugu Lake, Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge) 24-Day Bike Tour
Dates: Contact us with the dates that work for you.
Cooking on the go - Lijiang-Daju Road along Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Southwest China - Chengdu to Zhongdian (Bo People Coffins, Lugu Lake, Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge) 24-Day Bike Tour
Dates: Contact us with the dates that work for you.
This 24-day bicycle tour begins in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province and ends in Shangri-La (Zhongdian), Yunnan province. The area we will be traveling through is southwest China. The highlights of the tour are the Bo People's Hanging Coffins, Bamboo Sea, Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, Lugu Lake, Lijiang, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Shangri-La (as known as Zhongdian). This tour was designed to be both challenging and exciting, visiting remote areas to experience real Chinese culture, staying in simple accommodation and dining at modest restaurants.
The group will enter China at Shanghai and spend the night there before flying to Chengdu the next day where the tour officially begins. Bike China Adventures, Inc. will meet you at the airport will escort you to your hotel. We will first have lunch and then assemble the bikes to go for a brief city tour to visit the Panda Breeding Research Center.
On the second day, we will rise early and take transport to Gongxian in southern Sichuan, about five hours driving time from Chengdu. From there we will start cycling to Luobiao.
On the third day, we will visit the Bo People's hanging Coffins in Matangba (Fanchuangou) then cycle to the Sichuan Bamboo Sea (Zhuhai). This is a National Park with an area of 12,000 acres of bamboo in an enchanting area of forest and pools, mountains and valleys.
The fourth day will start with a short hike through an especially scenic part of the Bamboo Sea and then bicycle to the somewhat gritty Yibin, known as the First City on the Yangzi since it is at the confluence of the Min and Jinsha Rivers. Yibin is a major port city and home to a number of distilleries including Wuliangye, China most popular rice liquor. We will explore the dock areas and relax in a local teahouse.
The next day the group will cycle to Zigong, which was an important city in former times for the abundance of salt wells. It is also where numerous dinosaur remains have been found. We will visit the Dinosaur Museum and a Salt Museum where salt is still being manufactured as it was for hundreds of years.
Leaving Zigong, we will bicycle to Rongxian, an unassuming town known for having the second largest sitting Buddha statue in China. From Rongxian to Leshan we will pass through an active geothermal area with steam rising through cracks along the road and visit an abandoned white tower in Sanjiang.
In Leshan we will visit Rongxian's big brother, the Leshan Giant Buddha. Towering 71 meters and overlooking the confluence of the Dadu and Min Rivers, this statue was carved out of a mountain over a period of 90 years beginning in 713 AD.
On the eighth day, we will bicycle in the morning to Mount Emei. This is one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains and we will hike along the stone paths and steps among the wild monkeys. Here we will spend a day off the bike hiking the mountain visiting monasteries and temples. There is an option to visit the summit of Mount Emei. This is a special place at 3,099 meters where the peak usually pokes through the clouds that coat the Sichuan basin and resulting in a stunning sunrise.
[Note: For those with an interest in Chinese martial arts, there is an option to visit the Emei Kongfu School where there is a two-day program in which students can choose three subjects to study out of a total of 14 ranging from boxing and Qigong to sword fencing and club waving. Tuition is US$100. Anyone choosing this option would forego visiting Mount Emei.]
On the tenth day, we will cycle to the Emei train station and catch the K113 train to Xichang (depart at 15:09 arrive at 21:54.). Bikes will arrive the next morning.
Xichang is the heart of the Yi minority and home to one of China’s two satellite launching centers. The group will visit the old quarter near the South Gate of the old city wall.
The route then turns west toward Yunnan stopping at the small towns of Pingchuan and Yanyuan before arriving at Lugu Lake. This is the center area of the matriarchal Mosu culture surrounding a lake at an elevation of 8,800 feet (2,685 meters). The tour will spend two days exploring the area and visiting Liwubi Island and Yongning Monastery. The next day the group will cycle to Ninglang.
On the 18th day, we will head to Lijiang, home of the Naxi minority and set in a valley overshadowed by Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. 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 the Yufeng Monastery and attend a Naxi Orchestra using unique traditional instruments.
The next segment of the tour goes into Tiger Leaping Gorge, a spectacular mountain area. This is one of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in the world and is still quite wild despite the enormous efforts to tame it. The group will visit the narrow spot of the gorge where it takes it name. It is a powerful spot with the whole of the Yangzi River confined to a 20- meter (70-foot) width. The group will spend the night in the gorge at a simple guesthouse.
The following morning, the group will cycle to Shangri-La (Zhongdian). This is a predominantly Tibetan town located at about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). The group will spend two days exploring the area of grasslands and Tibetan temples. The following day the tour ends with transport to Zhongdian airport. The group will fly from Zhongdian to Kunming (Flight: MU5948 at09:25 arrive 10:05) and continue to Shanghai (Flight MU5805 11:20 arrive 13:55).
Below are links to a travelogue and photos covering portions of the route:
Bike Trip Travelogue
Sichuan Photos
Yunnan Photos
| Itinerary and Tour Details Southwest China - Chengdu to Zhongdian (Bo People Coffins,
Lugu Lake, Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge) 23-Day Bike Tour - 1,322 km (805 mi.) |
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| Day | Location | Cycling KM/Miles | Notes |
SHANGHAI |
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| 0 | Shanghai | 0/0 | Arrive in Shanghai |
SICHUAN PROVINCE |
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| 1 | Chengdu | 20/12 | Fly to Chengdu in the morning (2hr40min). Your guide will meet you at the airport and escort the group to your hotel. Lunch, then assemble the bikes and go for a brief city tour visiting the Panda Breeding Research Center. |
| 2 | Luobiao | 52/32 | Rise early and take transport to Gongxian (approximately 5 hours) in southern Sichuan and then cycle to Luobiao |
| 3 | Zhuhai | 108/66 | Visit the Bo People's hanging coffins in Matangba (Fanchuangou) then cycle to the Sichuan Bamboo Sea (Zhuhai). |
| 4 | Yibin | 70/43 | Hike some trails in the Bamboo Sea then bicycle to Yibin, the first city on the Yangzi. Visit the dock areas and a local teahouse. |
| 5 | Zigong | 80/49 | Visit the active salt mine and the Dinosaur Museum. |
| 6 | Rongxian | 50/31 | Visit China's second largest Buddha statue. |
| 7 | Leshan | 89/54 | Along the way pass through an active geothermal area with steam rising through cracks along the road and visit an abandoned white tower in Sanjiang. In Leshan, visit the Giant Sitting Buddha. |
| 8 | Mount Emei | 45/27 | Visit one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains and hike among the wild monkeys. |
| 9 | Mount Emei | 0/0 | Hike the mountain visiting monasteries and temples. |
| 10 | Xichang | 0/0 | Sunrise at the Golden Summit (3,099 meters), then take the train to 15:09 train to Xichang (arrive at 21:54). Bikes will be picked up the next morning at the train station. |
| 11 | Pingchuan | 86/52 | Small mountain village |
| 12 | Yanyuan | 56/34 | Small mountain village |
| 13 | Lugu Lake | 111/68 | Visit Sichuan side of Lugu Lake. |
| 14 | Lugu Lake | 81/49 | Visit Liwubi Island |
YUNNAN PROVINCE |
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| 15 | Lugu Lake | 30/18 | Cycle to Yunnan side of Lugu Lake. Visit Yongning Monastery. |
| 16 | Ninglang | 30/18 | Small Mosu minority town |
| 17 | Lijiang | 120/73 | Cross the Jinsha River, a major tributary of the Yangzi |
| 18 | Lijiang | 30/18 | Visit this picturesque town of the Naxi minority riddled with small water canals, the Naxi orchestra and Basha frescos. |
| 19 | Daju | 96/58 | Cycle to Daju on the edge of the Yangzi tributary, Jinsha River and the entrance to Tiger Leaping Gorge. |
| 20 | Walnut Grove | 16/10 | Walk the bikes down a steep path to cross the Jinsha river on a small ferry and then walk up the other side to the riverbank. Cycle to Walnut Grove a small village in the middle of Tiger Leaping Gorge. |
| 21 | Qiaotou | 26/16 | Visit the narrowest point in the river and a small rafting museum. |
| 22 | Zhongdian | 96/59 | Cycle to mostly uphill to Shangri-La (Zhongdian). |
| 23 | Shangrila (Zhongdian) | 30/18 | Visit the hot springs and Tibetan Songzanlin monastery |
| 24 | Shanghai | 0/0 | Tour ends with transport to Zhongdian airport: Fly from Zhongdian to Kunming Flight: MU5948 at09:25 arrive 10:05. Continue to Shanghai Flight MU5805 11:20 arrive 13:55. |
| Total Distance | 1,322 km 805 mi. |
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Details - Southwest China - Chengdu to Zhongdian (Bo People Coffins, Lugu Lake, Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge) 24-Day Bike Tour
Dates:
Contact us with the dates that work for you.
Start location: Chengdu, Sichuan
Province
Finish location:Zhongdian, Yunnan
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: Southwest China Elevation range: 1,300 feet
(400 meters) to 11,200 feet (3,400 meters)
Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and
fall.
Terrain: Rolling and mountainous
Cycling tour level: Challenging
Group Options:
Group A: Full Tour (24 Days) Shanghai-Chengdu-Zhongdian-Kunming-Shanghai
Group B: Short Tour (20 Days) Shanghai-Chengdu-Lijiang-Kunming-Shanghai
Total cycling distance:
Group A: Approximately 1,341 km (818 miles): Average distance per travel day: 61 km (37 miles).
Group B: Approximately 1,189 km (725 miles), average distance per travel day: 63 km (38 miles).
Cycling may be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination .
Days: Group A: 24. Group B: 20.
Nights:Group A: 23. Group B: 19.
Group size: 1-8
Accommodations will be basic Chinese hotels generally of
the 1-2 star variety. On some occasions will be necessary to use a 0-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. All hotel accommodations for 23 nights (Group A) or 19 nights (Group B).
2. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
3. All group transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis) and transport from the Chengdu airport and transport to the Zhongdian airport.
4. All group entrance fees.
5. Transport of gear and cyclists when necessary. Riders will carry their own luggage.
Bicycle rental US$175. Provided are a bike, panniers, lock, gloves, raincape and helmet.
This will be a self-supported ride. This means that riders will carry their own luggage.
If you decide to do something on your own, you will be responsible for those costs.
Prices depend on the total number of people going on the tour regardless of which group (A or B). Below are the prices per person (pp) and quoted in US dollars (US$):
Group size:
Group A
24 DaysGroup B
20 Days1 person: US$5,390 1 person: US$5,155 2-3 people: US$3,875 2-3 people: US$3,640 4-8 people: US$2,930 4-8 people: US$2,895 * 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 $700 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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