Sichuan
Sichuan is the fourth largest in land area, and is the third most populous province with 85 million people. It is home to one of the most densely populated rural areas on earth, which makes it quite interesting for cycling, as there is always something to see along the way. There is also a great variation in terrain in Sichuan from the fertile plains in the east to the home of the Giant Panda in the rugged mountains and the high elevation Tibetan plateau in the west. Growing crops is a primary function of the land and as you travel through the countryside, you see how every square foot is used productively. Entire mountains will be terraced for production of rice and vegetables and the area between the terraces is used for grazing livestock. Much of the land continues to be worked by hand and ox.
The City of Chengdu
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province, with an urban population of five million people. Located in a large basin with mountains surrounding it, it is a favorite place with many Western tourists. Chengdu is cosmopolitan in parts but maintains its old charm of interesting back alleys and ubiquitous street vendors. And the culinary aspects are second to none in China. Its flat terrain makes it an ideal city for bicycling, and many roads have wide bike paths separated from the motor vehicles. On tours beginning in Chengdu we spend a day or two exploring the city and a few of its many sights.
TourLengthDistance EffortChengdu 1-Day Bike Tour1 days20 miles 32 kmModerateSichuan: Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Anren Huanglongxi 4-Day Bike Tour4 days
126 miles
207 kmModerateSichuan: Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Anren, Huanglongxi 5-Day Bike Tour5 days
190 miles
313 kmModerateWestern Sichuan 5-Day Bike Tour to Danba5 days
181 miles 297 kmModerate to ChallengingWestern Sichuan - Pandas, Snowy Mountains and the Tibetan Plateau 7-Day Bike Tour7 days
234 miles 383 kmModerateSichuan - Chengdu to Zigong 8-Day Bike Tour8 days228 miles 373 kmModerateTour of Sichuan Sights Bike Tour10 days 250 miles 400 kmEasyChengdu to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong 12-Day Bike Tour12 days303 miles 498 kmModerate to ChallengingWestern Sichuan - Rivers, Mountains, Glaciers, Pandas, and Tibetans 12-Day Bike Tour12 days
343 miles 563 kmModerateWestern Sichuan - Chengdu to Dege and the Tibet Border 13-Day Cycling Tour13 days 1017 km 636 milesChallengingChengdu to Lanzhou14 days546 miles 747 kmChallengingWestern Sichuan - Chengdu to Dege and the Tibet Border 15-Day Cycling Tour15 days 1,017 km 636 milesChallengingWestern Sichuan - Pandas, Glacier, Tibetan Plateau, and Snowy Mountains 15-Day Bike Tour15 days 522 miles 856 kmChallengingWestern Sichuan - Chengdu to the Tibet Border Cycling Tour16 days 1,004 km 612 milesChallengingChengdu to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) - Kunming22 days 874 miles 1,433 kmChallengingThe Grand Bike Tour of Sichuan and Yunnan33 days 1480 miles 2430 kmChallenging
Yunnan
Located in the southwest corner of China adjacent to Laos and Myanmar (Burma) Yunnan is another favorite destination for Westerners. Yunnan has the largest population of minorities (non-Han Chinese) in China with about 50% of the population belonging to one of 20 minority groups. The variety of cultures as well as the outstanding landscapes makes for a fascinating tour. The high elevation of northern Yunnan results in mild temperatures most of the year.
TourLengthDistance EffortYunnan 5-Day Bike Tour - Kunming, Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and Lijiang5 days
169 miles 277 kmModerate to ChallengingYunnan 7-Day Bike Tour - Kunming, Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and Lijiang7 days228 miles 365 kmModerately ChallengingYunnan and Sichuan - Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lijiang and Chengdu 7-Day Cycling Tour7 days
249 miles 409 kmEasy to ChallengingYunnan Bike Tour: Kunming, Dali and Lijiang8 days160 miles 263 kmModerateYunnan Bike Tour: Kunming, Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and Lijiang8 days 259 miles 427 kmModerately ChallengingSouthwest China - Kunming to Ruili (Myanmar Border) 11-Day Bike Tour11 days 334 miles 547 kmModerate to ChallengingYunnan Province 11-day Bike Tour11 days
372 miles 610 kmModerate to ChallengingYunnan Bike Tour: Kunming, Dali, Shangri-La (Zhongdian), Lijiang, and Lugu Lake14 days
229 miles 375 kmEasyKunming to Chengdu14 days529 miles 867 kmChallengingChengdu to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) - Kunming22 days 874 miles 1,433 kmChallenging
Guangxi Province
153 miles 250 kmEasy to ModerateGuilin to Guiyang7 days370 miles 606 kmChallengingExploring Guangxis Wonders 8-Day Bike Tour8 days200 miles 330 kmEasyNorth And South China - Beijing, and Guangzhou to Guilin 10-Day Bike Tour10 days 400 miles 650 kmEasy South China - Around Guilin 14 days500 miles 800 kmModerate South China - Wuzhou to Huangguoshu Falls Bike Tour21 days 750 miles 1,228 kmChallenging
Guizhou Province
Guangdong Province
468 miles 750 kmModerate to ChallengingSouth China - Guangzhou to Guilin 19-Day Bike Tour19 days 750 miles 1,250 kmModerate
Tibet Autonomous Region
Fujian Province
Hunan Province
206 miles 338 kmModerate
Beijing & Hebei Province
Gansu Province
Shaanxi Province
Shandong Province
TourLengthDistance EffortShandong Peninsula Bike Tour7 days250 miles 400 kmModerate
Jiangsu & Zhejiang Province
TourLengthDistance EffortSuzhou, Hangzhou 4-Day Bicycle Tour4 days117 miles 191 kmModerate
4-City & Countryside Bike Tour
TourLengthDistance EffortBeijing, Xian, Sichuan, and Shanghai 17-day Bike Tour17 days 430 miles 700 kmEasy to Moderate
