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YUNNAN DISCOVERY
Discover the dragon of Asia. A country filled with mystery and adventure, China has some of the oldest and most intriguing traditions and cultures on the planet. Yunnan is no exception- Hidden regions, cultural secrets and stunning views await on this Yunnan Discovery mountain bike tour.
Yunnan is located in the southern part of China, sharing the border with Burma, Laos, and Vietnam.
The region is noted for its fascinating history, vibrant capital city, breathtaking sceneries, ancient architecture and diverse cultures. Our bike trail feature's Yunnan's best authenticities, including the reputed sense of serenity that seems to embrace all visitors to these lands.
Discover the Yunnan historical cities of Lijiang and Dali. The spectacular landscapes that surround these cities are in a class of their own. The old towns found inside the cities, like the Ancient Dayan Town in Lijiang and the Dali Old City, will take you back in time.
The old houses, ancient buildings, and cobbled streets create intrigue as you realize how people once lived in those olden days. We'll even cycle through small, mountain tribe communities, where the people are celebrated for their colorful attire. It is amazing to see that the people who live in Yunnan now live exactly the way they lived thousands and thousands of years ago… a simple life, undisrupted by the troubles of the outside, modern world.
Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan on the other hand, is a vibrant and growing city, with the all technologies and architecture of a modern city. Don’t let the modernity of the city fool you, as within the city, there are also historical buildings and cultural influences that makes this capital city special in its very own way. The Shi Lin stone forests will leave you in complete awe.
TRIP PROFILE
This bike tour traverses over a wide range of different surfaces from paved roads to off-road trails. The Yunnan Discovery tour seldom has a dull moment as it goes through a good diversity of scenic environments from snow capped mountains to green mysterious forests.
There are some tough climbs in high altitudes with fast descents. Riders should have a moderate level of cycling experience for this tour. Riders should also be in at least moderate physical condition because of the altitudes involved with the tour. The tour is supported by a mini-van 100% of the journey to provide elected transfers if a cyclist desires it.
There is a real mixture and variety of riding on this tour. Some days are short but have hill climbs, and others are longer, flat and fast. They are all filled with jaw-dropping scenery and enough culture to fill even the most culturally starved traveler.
| ITINERARY (14 days / 13 nights starting in Lijang and finishing in Kunming) | |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | We meet you at Lijiang airport and then transfer to the hotel. Afternoon is free until welcome dinner. |
| Day 2 | Bike fitting and warm up ride around Lijiang, taking in Naxi villages, Lashi Lake and Zhi Yun Temple. |
| Day 3 | Ride backroads to Bai Shui He. |
| Day 4 | Ride to Hutiao Xia (Tiger Leaping Gorge) and Yangzi River. |
| Day 5 | Free day to explore Tiger Leaping Gorge. |
| Day 6 | Ride out of Tiger Leaping Gorge to Bai Shui Tai. |
| Day 7 | Scenic ride to Zhongdian (Shangri-La). |
| Day 8 | Free day to explore the historical trading town of Zongdian and surroundings. |
| Day 9 | Ride to Stone Drum town and lesser Zhongdian. |
| Day 10 | Ride into the heart of rural Yunnan along the Old Tibet road to Shaxi Village. |
| Day 11 | Experience terraced pady fields as we head up hill to Er Yuan Hot Springs. |
| Day 12 | Ride to historical Dali. |
| Day 13 | Transfer to Kunming. |
| Day 14 | Tour concludes after farewell breakfast. |
| FACTS & FIGURES | |
|---|---|
| Tour Cost | USD $1995 - Single Supplement $350 |
| Bike Rental | USD $170 |
| Total Distance | 660 Kilometres |
| Number of Days | 14 days / 13 nights |
| Number of Cycling Days | 9 full days of cycling, 1 half day. |
| Road Surfaces | 5 to 10% on off-road vehicle trails |
| Vehicle Support (SAG) | This trip is fully supported by a mini-van customized to carry riders and bikes. |
| Group Size | Minimum of 2, Maximum of 16 |
| Staff Support | SpiceRoads cycling leader (for groups of 10 or more), plus a local cycling guide, as well as drivers and assistants for all groups. Smaller groups will be led by our local guide and support team. |
| Accomodation | A variety of accomodations are utilized from guesthouses to 3-star hotels. |
| Meals | This tour is inclusive of all meals (BLD) starting with dinner on day 1 through to breakfast on day 14 except dinner on day 2 and days 4, 7 and 10 where breakfast only is supplied. |
| Biking Grade |
(4 out of 5)
|
| Scenery |
(4 out of 5)
|
~Maren Smith
Yunnan Discovery, October 2009
Read more about Maren's experiences and see her wonderful photos in her blog..
Of course being in the small group and getting a lot of personal attention helped the enjoyment.
~Ute Haeberlein Schwan
Yunnan Discovery, March 2008
Read our clients' reviews in the Guestbook.
