Biking Backroads To Yangshou

Trip Highlights

On this exquisite short cycling tour we explore southern China, as the locals do, by bike. We cycle the scenic backroads, amongst lush rice paddies shaded by limestone pinnacles. The pace of our cycling is relaxed with ample time to stop in villages or take advantage of the photographic opportunities. A mini bus accompanies us to carry our gear and provides a welcome break when you have had enough cycling for the day.

Price Details

Price

From: GBP1110 per person (12 Days)

Price Includes

• 11 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 11 dinners
• expert bilingual guide
• 21 speed touring bikes
• medical kit
• comfortable well located hotels
• private air conditioned vehicles
• back up vehicle while cycling
• sightseeing as listed in itinerary
• site entry fees

Price Excludes

• - Items of a personal nature such as laundry and postage - Alcoholic beverages - Additional transport required due to any emergency situation - Flight out from Guilin - Visa costs - Travel Insurance - International airfares and departure taxes

Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive in Guangzhou
If you are arriving on the group flight you will be met and transferred to the group hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Guangzhou before we meet in the evening for a trip briefing with the group leader and cycling crew.
Meals: D

DAY 2 To Zhoaqing - Introduction cycle
This morning we transfer by coach out of hectic streets of Guangzhou to begin our cycle. We cycle for the rest of the day with ample opportunity for breaks before arriving in Zhoaqing. Throughout the entire trip there will always be the backup support of a vehicle, so for those times when you are feeling a little lethargic, or where road conditions make it difficult to cycle, you may ride in the mini bus.
Approx: 60km cycling
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 3 In Zhaoqing
We continue to the nature reserve of Mt Dinghu. We will have the opportunity to visit a 300 year old Buddhist monastery on the mountain, where we will have a vegetarian feast for lunch, before returning to Zhaoqing for the evening. Approx: 20km cycling
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 4 To Si Hui, cycle to Qing Yuan
We begin the day with a drive out of Zhaoqing to the small town of Si Hui, where we begin our cycling. We cycle to Qing Yuan, through classic rural China. The road weaves past high bamboo forests and small villages, the ubiquitous rice paddy fields and vegetable gardens.
Approx. 80km cycle
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 5 Cycle to Jiu Long
From Qing Yuan we drive out of town before cycling approximately 10 km to Jiu Long. The countryside in this area is stunning with lime stone karst mountains towering over fields and villages. From Jiu Long we venture on a beautiful ride around Guan Yin Crag and back to Liu Long to complete an exhilarating day of cycling! If we want to cycle around 70km today, we need to start
cycle earlier. We may cycle 35 km to Jiu Long instead of 10 km. There's 10 km ride visiting Guan Yin Crag. It's possible to make it 70 km if we add the 25 km optional ride around Jiu Long area (Little Guilin).
Approx. 45- 70km cycle
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 Cycle to Yangshan
We spend the day cycling on remote backroads to Yangshan through some of the regions most sublime karst scenery- the kind that has kept Chinese poets and painters inspired for centuries! The terrain is undulating with a few hills amongst a spectacular rural landscape. Approx. 100 km cycle
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7 Cycle to Lianshan
Today we cycle 80 km to Lianshan through a Yao (a minority group in China)area. We will have plenty of time to wander through the local markets and observe the Yao people who are set apart from the rest of the population by their culture, traditions and distinctive facial features. The Yao minority still live very traditional lives, relatively untouched by Western influences. The cycling is relatively easy
but does wind through mountainous terrain. The road fluctuates between paved and dirt surfaces until we arrive at the base of three significant hills, which are usually not tackled by bike. Over these mountains is where we encounter stunning scenery as we cycle through pristine countryside. We will drive a short distance in the middle of the day as not to miss the last section of terraced rice
paddies, small villages and local people go about their daily life with lush undulating mountains setting the perfect backdrop to this spectacular day. Approx. 80km cycle
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8 Cycle to Zhongshan
After a short drive we enjoy a beautiful smooth days riding on well paved roads soaking in the relaxed ambiance of rural China as people go about their every day lives around us. We arrive in town of Zhongshan, which like many of the small towns we visit on our cycling days are fascinating not so much for their tourist attraction but for the fact that there are likely to be no tourists at all!
Approx. 65km cycle
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 9 Cycle to Yangshou
Yangshuo is an idyllic town set amidst limestone pinnacles and rice paddies. The surrounding region is very beautiful, spotted with small villages and imposing karst rock formations. The village itself has fantastic shopping and restaurants, and lively ambiance. xcolreturnxThe cycle route to Yangshou is along undulating roads and will take us most of the day from Zhongshan.
Approx. 100km cycle
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 10 Visit Moonhill in Yangshuo
In the morning we will set off on our bikes to Moon Hill, located a short distance from town. We will spend some time walking on the top of the hill to gain a bird's eye view of the beautiful surrounding area. From here we will walk downhill, back to our bikes and continue riding in a loop on Moon Hill road through the countryside of rice paddy fields, returning back to Yangshuo by lunchtime. After
lunch in Yangshuo, we will drive 2 km out of town to come to the Li River, where we board a small boat and cruise downstream to Fu Li town (approximately 2 hours). On arrival at Fu Li town we walk around before driving back to Yangshuo by late afternoon. In the evening we can take another boat ride to watch cormorants catching fish in local fishing villages.
Approx. 30km cycle
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 11 Cycle to Baisha, overnight in Yangshuo
We will cycle from our hotel to Jin Bao, along a very beautiful but basic country road. From Jin Bao we will continue to bike to Baisha, where we will stop to have a picnic lunch before returning to Yangshuo.
Approx. 60km cycle
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 12 Trip concludes in Yangshou
After breakfast our trip concludes. Transfers can be organised to the nearest airport in Guilin.
Meals: B

Other Info