Tiger Leaping Gorgeous

Cycle Yunnan and experience the real China!

Yunnan is one of China’s most ethnically fascinating and scenically stunning provinces. It is easy to understand why Yunnan leaves our travellers raving about it!

Experiencing the extraordinary natural wonder of TLG, with its towering walls and dramatic beauty. Meander along the majestic Yangtze River and kick back in the laid-back cobble stoned towns of Dali and Lijiang. This area is the foothills of the Himalayas where snow-capped peaks, dramatic ravines and pine forest meet rural villages and rice fields.

A balance of steep climbs, dizzying descents and smooth flat roads makes this trip one of our favourites.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1: Zhongdian (Shangri La) – 3200m
Welcome to Zhongdian! Also known as Gyalthang to Tibetans (recently renamed Shangri La), Zhongdian was a major hub on the Tea Horse trading route between China and Tibet.

For those arriving early, the town still retains its Tibetan feel and you will have time to explore the Old Quarter with its old world charm or head out to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (SongZaLin Si), South West China’s most important monastery. This is arrival day and you'll be met by your Bike Asia leader in the evening to go over the trip ahead. We will meet in the evening to go over the formalities of the trip before heading out to dinner to sample some of the local cuisine.

*Note – As Zhongdian is at an elevation of 3200m all the activities on daystwo below are optional. It is not uncommon for people to feel the effects of altitude sickness (see Altitude Sickness below) on arrival at this elevation so we have allowed time in Zhongdian to acclimatize and rest for those that need to. You may wish to book some extra accommodation in Zhongdian with us if acclimatisation is a concern for you. There is a lot to do in Zhongdian which is an interesting Tibetan town with numerous hikes, monasteries and an old town to explore.

Day 2: Zhongdian Day Ride
In the morning we’ll set up our bikes and head out to the Napa Wetlands with its abundant birdlife for an acclimatization ride.

This is a great ride in itself but also a good chance to get used to your bike and the altitude! The town still retains its Tibetan feel and you will have time to explore the Old Quarter with its old world charm or head out to Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (SongZaLin Si), South West China’s most important monastery.

In the evening we’ll indulge in a traditional Tibetan feast.

Day 3: White Water Terrace – Cycling 106kms
We cannot pretend this is an easy day, but the spectacular scenery makes up for the hard work and there are some extraordinary long and fast downhills on smooth paved roads with hardly a car in sight, you might see the odd motorbike but that’s about it.

There are no restaurants along this stretch of road so we will organise a picnic lunch with plenty of tasty foods to keep you fuelled up for the big climbs. This ride is varied and spectacular as we wind our way up through valleys and across mountain sides completely covered with wild camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and osmanthus trees and bushes… it is an amazing sight when blooming in season.

We should arrive in the afternoon with just enough time to visit the spiritual heart of the Naxi Minority people; the ‘White Water Terrace’ rock formation that sits above the town of Sanba. It was created over millions of years by underground aquifers of running water saturated with calcium carbonate depositing minerals as the water meets the atmospheres oxygen. They have the shape of the local rice terraces but made of calcified minerals with pools of clean water flowing over the surface.

Day 4: Tiger Leaping Gorge – Cycling 67kms
In the morning we have a few more smaller climbs and coasting sections as we watch the sun rise up from behind the mountain range and into our valley.

Hold on tight though at the top for another massive descent winding down towards the small town of Haba where we will have lunch. The owner of the restaurant here is one of the nicest and most energetic women we know … and her cooking is great too! After lunch we’ll get back on the bikes for seven kilometre climb followed by another downhill – this one is 25km!

We enter Tiger Leaping Gorge and cycle to our lodgings for the night. Riding in the gorge is a highlight for many people on this trip with its overhangs, steep walls and waterfalls. We cycle halfway through the gorge to our guesthouse at Walnut Grove; the guesthouse with possibly the most spectacular view in all of China.

Day 5: Tiger Leaping Gorge - Free day
There is no place more fitting to spend a day of rest and relaxation than immersed in the beauty of Tiger Leaping Gorge.

For the energetic there are plenty of hiking opportunities; walk the plunging forest tracks to the gorge itself or venture off on the high trail to plunge yourself into a gushing waterfall. Otherwise sit back, relax and soak in the truly awe inspiring views of this remarkable natural wonder.

Day 6: Shigu – Cycling 75kms
We meander our way out of the gorge and along the Yangtze River passing mud brick villages on quaint tree-lined, tar-sealed roads.

This area is home to many minority groups including Dai, Yi and Naxi people. We get up close and personal with rural China as we see people going about their daily lives. We stay overnight in the tiny historical town of Shigu, known for its location on the ‘first bend in the Yangtze River’. Though popular with local Chinese, prepare to be the centre of attention as it's likely we will be the only foreigners there!

A wander about this small town will take you back into the past as many old courtyard houses, cobblestone streets and temples remain as they have been for ages.

Day 7: Lijiang – Cycling 50km
After a bowl of tasty homemade local rice noodle soup and bread we cycle uphill alongside the Yangze River then continue up as we aim for the ancient town of Lijiang.

There’s a big climb today before we plunge down into an open valley overlooked by jagged snow capped mountain peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain that towers above the town at 5598 metres. On the way we detour on back-roads around the beautiful Lashi Lake which will bring us in contact with local rural life as we meander through several Naxi and Yi minority villages. We stop for lunch at Zhi Yun temple, a small monastery that has been renovated after having been destroyed during the Cultural Revolution.

We arrive in time for you to wander and explore the back streets and alleys of the old town.

Day 8: Lijiang – Rest day
Today is a free day to relax and explore the old town with its network of cobblestone lanes filled with shops selling snacks and handicrafts, or simply sit back with a book to people watch.

There are optional rides to monasteries and historical sites in the area, as well as a cable car up onto Jade Dragon Snow Mountain itself. Ask your leader for more info on these.

Day 9: Shaxi – Cycling 93kms
There is a sense of timelessness as we cycle through villages whose cultural traditions and simple life-styles have remained relatively unchanged for centuries.

Often we’ll come across a local market bustling with activity and blocking off the road. This is a great chance to mingle with locals of differing ethnicities, all sporting their own particular traditional clothing, bargaining for and selling local produce and the necessities of life.

We will start the day with a vehicle transfer out of Lijiang, along the road that we cycled in. After a big downhill we’ll ride through the town of Jianchuan before heading off to Shaxi. One last big uphill and a bumpy downhill before a long flat cobblestone run into Shaxi, a historic town that was once a hub on the Tea Horse route.

Day 10: Shaxi - Free day
This is a free day for you to wander around Shaxi town and see the old architecture – untouched by modernity and new construction (a rarity in China today!).

This is the perfect place to get yourself lost in the narrow, cobblestone alleyways of the town, get a close look at intricately carved wooden entrances and hopefully catch glimpses of the well-fenced and attractive courtyards of many of the homes in Shaxi.

Highly recommended is a visit and hike through the “Shibaoshan Shiku” Stone Treasure Buddhist Grottoes. These are old Buddhist shrines carved into the mountain rock, some still carrying the last of fading pigments. These are a legacy of the trade route which, although it was designed to carry tea, also spread Buddhism throughout the region.

Day 11: Er Yuan – Cycling 63kms
We hit the road with a big, steep climb on cobbles before we hit dirt to the top, all the way cycling through a heavily wooded forest of pine trees. We’ve been warned by locals to keep a close eye out for ghosts in this area!

The view is spectacular, overlooking the valley all the way to Jianchuan. The road down is endless hairpins on a rutted road. Rough stuff, but it’s a good way to work up an appetite for lunch. The afternoon ride is a nice flat run through endless rice fields which change with the seasons. We cycle down through a ravine into Er Yuan, the location of our hotel for the night and their relaxing hot springs …so bring your bathers!

Day 12: Dali – 53kms
Today we share our cycling with bell-laden horses and carts as we continue travelling on the Old Tibet Road to Dali.

We follow a circuitous route that takes us to Er Hai Lake. We skirt the shores of this huge inland sea, passing through fishing villages and farming communities. This is a spectacular finale as we head up the hill toward the ancient walled capital, Dali. The Cang Shan Mountains rise behind Dali as we cycle our last few kilometres to our finishing point! We’ll feast and celebrate the completion of our ride with a beer or two!

Day 13: Free Day - Dali
Dali is home to over 1.5 million Bai minority people whose culture, crafts and warm hospitality create its renowned laid-back atmosphere.

You are spoilt for choice with things to do and see. You can visit the colourful Shaping Markets, see the preserved architecture of Xizhou village, hike up to Zhonghe Si temple or just do a good day’s shopping! The day is yours to do with as you like!

Day 14: Kunming
We take a bus back to Kunming, arriving in the afternoon. Our last night together means dinner and celebrations!

Day 15
This is departure day and you are free to leave at any time.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

There is a mix of accommodation styles on this trip. 11 nights are in standard hotels/guesthouses - twin share, private bathrooms, hot water, television, air-conditioning etc. 3 nights are in more basic style accommodation – possibly without private bathrooms, i.e. shared washing and toilet facilities, sometimes Chinese style squat toilets, some have dormitory sleeping arrangements.

We are staying in these places because, travelling by bike, we get to travel through some of the smaller, rural areas, and this means of course that we are limited in our choice of accommodation – sometimes we are staying in the ONLY guesthouse. Whilst not having all the facilities and services that you may be accustomed to at home, we can safely say that these small, family-run places make up for that in location, views, atmosphere and friendly service.

Hygiene is very important to us and our passengers so we try to use accommodation with a good level of cleanliness. All the sleeping arrangements are for twin share so if you are a single traveller you will be paired up with someone of the same sex. This ensures that whether you are travelling solo or with friends, everyone is paying the same rate.

We choose hotels (where possible) that are comfortable, centrally located places which are adequate in every way.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

2012 Departures: 22nd September (GUARANTEED TO DEPART), 27th October
2013 Departures: 6th April, 4th May, 15th September, 12th October, 9th November

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