Tour Description

Chengdu to Shangri-La (Zhongdian)
22-Day Bike Tour

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

Chengdu to Shangri-La (Zhongdian)
22-Day Bike Tour

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

This 22-day bicycle tour through southwest China begins in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, and ends in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, known as the "Spring City" and home to China's largest concentration of ethnic minorities. This tour is designed as a challenging ride. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 40 miles (65 km). On a few days vehicle transport will be used to supplement the cycling to get us to the next destination. Riders will carry their own luggage in their bike panniers. 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 the Panda Breeding Research Base and the Sichuan University Museum. This will give us a chance to test the bike equipment and get a feel for cycling in China. The second day the tour will cycle south to Huanglongxi, the site of a historic event and sample the local specialty. Afterward the tour will travel via van/truck to Leshan to visit the site of the world’s largest Buddha at 232 feet (71 meters). The next day is a short cycle to Emei Mountain, one of China’s sacred Buddhist mountains and will hike around the base and visit a few temples.

After Emei Mountain, the tour travels along the Dadu River, one of the tributaries of the Yangzi River. There will be overnight stops at the small towns of Jinkouhequ, Hanyuan, Shimian and Mianning before arriving at Xichang, the heart of the Yi minority.

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 (2685 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.

The next stop is 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 quite wild. 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 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 group will fly to Kunming concluding the tour.

Bike Trip Travelogue - Sichuan Photos - Yunnan Photos

Chengdu to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) Bike Tour
Day	Location	# of Miles/KM	Notes
			SICHUAN PROVINCE
1	Chengdu	30/49	Visit Panda Research base and the Sichuan University Museum to view Sichuan minority dress.
2	Leshan	24/40	Cycle to Huanglongxi for lunch then transport to Leshan. Tour Giant Buddha.
3	Emei Shan	24/40	Hike the bottom of this Sacred Mountain
4	Emei Shan	0/0	Hike the mountain
5	Hanyuan	104/131	Take a train part way and visit the Fulin Cultural Site
6	Shimian	31/51	6 miles (10 km) northwest a site where the Red Army made an historic crossing.
7	Mianning	66/108	Red Army Long March Memorial Hall
8	Xichang	54/88	Center of the Yi minority - Visit old city walls and Muslim Mosque
9	Pingchuan	53/86	Small mountain village
10	Yanyuan	35/56	Small mountain village
13			YUNNAN PROVINCE
11	Lugu Lake	83/133	Use transport part way. Visit Sichuan side of Lugu Lake
12	Lugu Lake	49/81	Visit Liwubi Island.
	Lugu Lake	18/30	Cycle to Yunnan side of Lugu Lake. Visit Yongning Monastery
14	Ninglang	18/30	Small town
15	Lijiang	75/120	Stay in Old town.
16	Lijiang	18/30	Naxi minority culture. Naxi orchestra at night.
17	Lijiang	18/30	Black Dragon Lake, Naxi Museum and Baisha Frescoes
18	Daju	55/90	Cycle to Dazu, the entrance to Tiger Leaping Gorge
19	Walnut Grove	10/16	Cycle in Tiger Leaping Gorge. Spend the night in the gorge
20	Baishuitai	46/75	Visit the narrowest point in the river and a small rafting museum.
21	Shangri-La (Zhongdian)	64/105	Tibetan Songzanlin Monastery
22	Kunming	30/18	Fly from Zhongdian to Kunming. End of Trip.
	Total Cycling Distance	879 mi 1,441 km

Tour Details

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

Start location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Finish location: Kunming, Yunnan Province

Tour type: No support vehicle - riders carry there own luggage and gear. (Note: This tour is also available with a dedicated support vehicle at a higher cost.)

Geographical location: Southwest and Central China Elevation range: 2,300 feet (700 meters) to 11,500 feet (3,400 meters)

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall. Click on the links below for detailed historical weather data.

Terrain: Rolling and mountainous

Cycling tour level: Challenging

Total cycling distance: Approximately 879 miles (1,441 km): Average distance per travel day: 40 miles (65 km) Cycling may be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination before dark.

Days: 22

Group size: 1 - 8

Rental bike: US$175 including panniers, helmet, gloves, raincape and lock.

Accommodations will be basic Chinese hotels generally of the 0-3 star variety.

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

Private room supplement: US$210

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. Bilingual bicycle tour guide to accompany the group throughout the tour.
2. All hotel accommodations for 22 nights.
3. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
4. All group transportation costs including buses and trucks as needed, one flight from Shangri-La to Kunming and transport to/from airports.
5. All group entrance fees.

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

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: $4,920
2 people: $3,290 pp
3 people $2,920 pp
4-8 people $2,310 pp

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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