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Tour Description

Yunnan 5-Day Bike Tour - Kunming, Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and Lijiang

Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Rooftops from Lion Hill Park, Lijiang, Yunnan

Yunnan 5-Day Bike Tour - Kunming, Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and Lijiang

Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Tour Route Map

This five-day bicycle tour begins and ends in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province known as the "Spring City" and the gateway to China's largest concentration of ethnic minorities. This tour is designed as a relatively moderately challenging ride. Average daily cycling mileage will be up to 50 miles (82 km) depending on your desire to ride. A support vehicle will follow to carry luggage and cyclists when wanted. This tour will visit both well-known and little-known sights and will appeal to those who have cultural, social and geographical interests.

The day before the start of the tour, your guide will meet you at the Kunming airport and accompany you to your hotel. Later you will be briefed on the tour.

On the first day, the group will fly to Shangri-La (Zhongdian). The is a predominantly Tibetan town located at about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). We will spend the day exploring the area of grasslands and Tibetan temples. The following day we will cycle a challenging route to Baishuitai, the backdoor to Tiger Leaping Gorge.

On the third day, we will enter Tiger Leaping Gorge. Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in the world and is still quite wild despite the enormous efforts to tame it. We will spend the night in the gorge in simple cabin-like lodgings.

On the fourth day, we 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. Afterwards, the group will cycle out of the gorge and then along side the Yangzi River and pass by the First Bend (where the river makes a U-turn leading to the headwaters in Tibet. The next day will be spent in Lijiang, the center of the creative Naxi minority group, exploring this unique city with fast flowing open waterways and unique architecture. The group will visit the Black Dragon Park and attend a Naxi Orchestra concert.

On the fifth day, we will explore Lijiang and the surrounding area in more detail and then in the afternoon return to Kunming via air concluding the bike tour.

A travelogue and photos covering portions of the route:

Cycling Yunnan Province with BikeChina Adventures
Weiss Yunnan Bike Trip Photo Gallery
Some Photos Highlights of the Tour of Yunnan

Itinerary

Day Location Cycling Distance Miles/KM YUNNAN PROVINCE
0 Kunming 0/0

Meet group members at the airport. Transfer to hotel.
1 Shangri-La (Zhongdian) 30/50 Fly to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) in the early morning. Explore this Tibetan town with plenty of flavor including a visit to a Tibetan Lamasery, "Shangri-La," and the grasslands.
2 Baishuitai 105/64 Spectacular mountain scenery along the way.
3 Tiger Leaping Gorge 45/73 One of the World's Deepest Gorges, and an up close look at the raw power of this massive river
4 Lijiang 81/134 Home of Naxi minority. Visit Old Town with charming wooden architecture fast flowing water channels down the streets and alleys. Naxi music concert in the evening.

5

Kunming 0/0 Explore Lijiang's Old Town in the morning. Fly to Kunming and transfer to onward flights. End of tour.
  Total Distance 199/327  

Details

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

Start location: Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

Finish location: Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

Tour type: This is a vehicle-supported tour.

Geographical location: Southwest China Elevation range: 6,250 feet (1,900 meters) to 11,000 feet (3,250 meters)

Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous

Cycling tour level: Moderate to challenging - alternative transportation may be used if needed

Total cycling distance: Approximately 199 miles (327 km): Average distance per ride day: up to 50 miles (82 km).

Days: 5

Click for Kunming Forecast

Climate: The best time to tour is in the Spring and Fall.

Group size: 1 - 8

Rental bike: Included.

Accommodations will be basic Chinese hotels generally of the 1-3 star variety. At least once it will be necessary to use a no-star hotel.

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

Private room supplement: US$ Call/Email

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 five nights.
2. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
3. All group land transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis) plus two flights (from Kunming to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and from Lijiang to Kunming).
4. All group entrance fees.
5. Rental bikes and related biking gear including helmets, gloves, bike bags and raincapes.
6. Bilingual bike tour guide to accompany the group throughout the tour.

This will be a vehicle-supported ride. This means that each rider will carry their luggage on their bikes.

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$ Call/Email
2 people: - US$ Call/Email
3 people: - US$ Call/Email
4-8 people: - US$ Call/Email

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 rental bike is included in the price.

A deposit of US$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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