Chengdu mountain bike tour

China and Tibet

Tour Description: Guided

Xizang Zhi Lu is an exciting 15 day loop starting and finishing in Chengdu City, the capital of the Sichuan Province.  We cover roughly 700km through stunning Chinese and Tibetan scenery, culture and fantastic biking.  Starting in the hustle of Chengdu City, we make our way north west into the agricultural and rice growing regions and then climb slowly through river valleys lined with snow covered peaks to the wide open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau.  There are a couple of known touristy towns (known at least to Chinese people) early on in the trip, but from then on the towns are local, rural and in some places very remote.  We visit a panda breeding sanctuary and Buddhist monasteries, meet with Tibetan nomadic yak herders, and take the challenge of crossing three high mountain passes. Stunning scenery, colourful culture, intriguing history and delicious food combine to create one of the most diverse, interesting and memorable biking destinations on the planet.

What is the cycling like?We ride between 20-120km per day; a total distance of 700km spread over 12 days of biking.  We bike on mostly paved roads where at times bikes and small tractors out-number cars.  The terrain varies from gentle meandering river valleys to long sustained climbs and lovely long descents.  We climb over four high mountain passes, three of which are over 4000m however in all cases the gradient is fairly gentle.  Suitable for bikers with a good level of fitness and perfect for a hybrid or touring style bike.

The low-down:We start and finish in Chengdu City and loop through Sichuan Province and the Tibetan Plateau.  Your group will be made up of 6-12 bikers from around the world, plus Escape leaders, local guide/interpreter and local crew.  Our trusty support vehicle carries all your luggage, can help you up the hills (if you like) and always has lunch, snacks and water at hand.  Accommodation is twin-share in local hotels and guesthouses most of which have en-suites however it is occasionally necessary to share bathroom facilities.  Meals and snacks are all provided mostly taking advantage of the delicious fare in local restaurants. This excludes two lunches and two evening meals which are at your own expense to give you more opportunity to explore and experience local cuisine.

Learn more about guided tours

Tour Description: Self-guided

Xizang Zhi Lu is an exciting 15 day loop starting and finishing in Chengdu City, the capital of the Sichuan Province.  We cover roughly 700km through stunning Chinese and Tibetan scenery, culture and fantastic biking.  Starting in the hustle of Chengdu City, we make our way north west into the agricultural and rice growing regions and then climb slowly through river valleys lined with snow covered peaks to the wide open spaces of the Tibetan Plateau.  There are a couple of known touristy towns (known at least to Chinese people) early on in the trip, but from then on the towns are local, rural and in some places very remote.  We visit a panda breeding sanctuary and Buddhist monasteries, meet with Tibetan nomadic yak herders, and take the challenge of crossing three high mountain passes. Stunning scenery, colourful culture, intriguing history and delicious food combine to create one of the most diverse, interesting and memorable biking destinations on the planet.

What is the cycling like?We ride between 20-120km per day; a total distance of 700km spread over 12 days of biking.  We bike on mostly paved roads where at times bikes and small tractors out-number cars.  The terrain varies from gentle meandering river valleys to long sustained climbs and lovely long descents.  We climb over four high mountain passes, three of which are over 4000m however in all cases the gradient is fairly gentle.  Suitable for bikers with a good level of fitness and perfect for a hybrid or touring style bike.

The low-down:We start and finish in Chengdu City and loop through Sichuan Province and the Tibetan Plateau.  Your group will be made up of 6-12 bikers from around the world, plus Escape leaders, local guide/interpreter and local crew.  Our trusty support vehicle carries all your luggage, can help you up the hills (if you like) and always has lunch, snacks and water at hand.  Accommodation is twin-share in local hotels and guesthouses most of which have en-suites however it is occasionally necessary to share bathroom facilities.  Meals and snacks are all provided mostly taking advantage of the delicious fare in local restaurants. This excludes two lunches and two evening meals which are at your own expense to give you more opportunity to explore and experience local cuisine.

Learn more about guided tours

Highlights: Guided

• Sichuan Cuisine
• Tibetan culture
• Mountain passes
• Himalaya foothills 
• Monastary visits 

Highlights: Self-guided

• Sichuan Cuisine
• Tibetan culture
• Mountain passes
• Himalaya foothills 
• Monastary visits 

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu 
Arrival day to Chengdu. Airport pick ups will be provided. Alternatively taxis are available outside the airport, approximately $USD10 to the Hotel. We will meet in the hotel reception for a pre departure meeting at 5pm.
Meals included: D
Overnight in Chengdu Hotel.
NOTE- please change money today if necessary. You can use the ATM in Chengdu City to get enough local currency for the duration of your trip. 

Day 2: Chengdu (25 miles/40 km)
Get into the vibe of China with a city tour of Chengdu by bike including a visit to a Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre and some other local surprises.
Meals included: B and D
Overnight in Chengdu Hotel.

Day 3: Ride to Pingle (39 miles/63 km)
We begin with a vehicle transfer out of the city and ride through a grain growing area and paddy fields to Pingle.
Meals included: B, L, D
Overnight in Pingle Guesthouse.

Day 4: Pass to Lushan (47 miles/75 km)
We bike on through farmland and steamy bamboo forest and over our first pass at 1250m to Lushan.
Meals included: B, L, D
Overnight at the Baoxing Hotel.

Day 5: Yaoji forest (12 miles/20 km)
We gain some altitude in the morning with a transfer up to a lake created by a new dam project. Biking around the lake we enter the Tibetan area and on to Yaoji Forest Reserve.
Meals include: B, L, D
Overnight in Forest Cabins.

Day 6: Jiajinshan pass (44 miles/70 km)
Our first major pass as we climb over Jiajinshan pass at 4200m. With views of the Himalayan foothills and yaks for company it’s an awesome achievement and rewarded with a 36km sweeping downhill.
Meals included: B, L, D
Overnight at Rilongguan Hotel.

Day 7: Danba (75 miles/120 km)
A long and flowing day as we follow a river valley downstream through farmland and orchards to Danba.
Meals included: B, L,D
Overnight at Danba Hotel.

Day 8: Rest day
Spend the morning walking through small hillside villages to explore some ancient defensive towers and then head into Danba town to check out the sights in the afternoon. In the late afternoon we take a short drive up to Jaiju Tibetan village and spend the night in a Tibetan stone house.
Meals include: B and D
Overnight at Local Guesthouse.

Day 9: Donggu (30 miles/49 km)  
We head back down to the river valley and follow the river as it gently climbs through a quiet valley to Donggu.
Meals include: B, L, D
Overnight at Local Guesthouse.

Day 10: Tibetan Grasslands (34 miles/ 55 km)
Biking on up the river valley we cross over a 3900m pass and drop down into the wide open Tibetan Grasslands. In the afternoon take a break from the saddle to visit an historically important Buddhist Monastery and temple.
Meals include: B, L, D
Overnight at Bamei Hotel.

Day 11: Tibetan Plateau - Tagong (19 miles/30 km)
We bike across the rolling grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau to Tagong. In the afternoon explore the town, local shops and nearby temples.
Meals included: L, D
Overnight at Tagong Guesthouse.

Day 12: Kanding (68 miles/110 km)
The most challenging day of the trip (remember the support vehicle is there) through the rolling grasslands dotted with Nomad tents and grazing yaks.  In the afternoon our last and highest pass at 4298 m, and end the day with a (37 km) downhill run to Kangding.
Meals include: B, L, D
Overnight at Kangding Hotel.

Day 13 – Yangtze River (16 miles/25 km)
Leaving the Tibetan area, a morning transfer takes us back down one of the river valleys that feed the Yangtze River. In the afternoon a steep climb followed by a gentle ride past rice paddies and farmland to the ancient village of Shangli.  
Meals included: B, L, D
Overnight at Shangli Guesthouse.

Day 14: Sichuan Basin (28 miles/ 45 km)
Our last ride of the trip brings us back down to the rolling farmland of the Sichuan Basin. Afternoon transfer to Chengdu.
Meals include: B and L
Overnight at Chengdu Hotel.

Day 15: Departure 
Airport transfers can be arranged.
Please remember that this is a guide only and due to unforeseen circumstances it may be necessary to make changes to the itinerary. 

Note: This tour does not enter Tibet (Xizang) as currently defined by Beijing. However the tour is primarily in the area occupied by people who are culturally Tibetan and who themselves consider it Tibet.

Daily Program: Self-guided

Dates: Guided

Aug 15; Sep 1, 2013

Dates: Self-guided

Packages and Prices: Guided

Tour Package
Per person, double occupancy NZ$4490 Single supplement, one person, one room NZ$650 Bike Rentals Bike Rental NZ$300

Packages and Prices: Self-guided

Included Services: Guided

• Local guide and crew
• Support vehicle
• Most meals and snacks are included (please see daily program for listing of which meals are included each day)
• Accomodations in local hotels and guesthouses

Included Services: Self-guided

Hotels: Guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

Accommodation is twin-share in local hotels and guesthouses most of which have en-suites however it is occasionally necessary to share bathroom facilities. 

Start and end hotel in Chengdu - Xinliang Hotel 
www.xinliang-hotel.com.cn/

Most other nights are in locally owned hotels and gusesthouses.

Hotels: Self-guided

These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

Accommodation is twin-share in local hotels and guesthouses most of which have en-suites however it is occasionally necessary to share bathroom facilities. 

Start and end hotel in Chengdu - Xinliang Hotel 
www.xinliang-hotel.com.cn/

Most other nights are in locally owned hotels and gusesthouses.

Bike Rentals: Guided

Avanti Explorer Touring/hybrid

All bikes come with helmet and water bottle. 

Bike Rentals: Self-guided

Avanti Explorer Touring/hybrid

All bikes come with helmet and water bottle. 

Surface and Terrain: Guided

What is the cycling like?We ride between 20-120km per day; a total distance of 700km spread over 12 days of biking.  We bike on mostly paved roads where at times bikes and small tractors out-number cars.  The terrain varies from gentle meandering river valleys to long sustained climbs and lovely long descents.  We climb over four high mountain passes, three of which are over 4000m however in all cases the gradient is fairly gentle.  Suitable for bikers with a good level of fitness and perfect for a hybrid or touring style bike.

This tour is rated Challenging and is for cyclists in above average physical condition.

Surface and Terrain: Self-guided

What is the cycling like?We ride between 20-120km per day; a total distance of 700km spread over 12 days of biking.  We bike on mostly paved roads where at times bikes and small tractors out-number cars.  The terrain varies from gentle meandering river valleys to long sustained climbs and lovely long descents.  We climb over four high mountain passes, three of which are over 4000m however in all cases the gradient is fairly gentle.  Suitable for bikers with a good level of fitness and perfect for a hybrid or touring style bike.

This tour is rated Challenging and is for cyclists in above average physical condition.

How To Get There: Guided

Tour start
Nearest airport: Chengdu China 

Tour end
Nearest airport: Chengdu China 

How To Get There: Self-guided

Tour start
Nearest airport: Chengdu China 

Tour end
Nearest airport: Chengdu China 

Weather: Guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information

Weather: Self-guided

Weather Underground offers information on average and record temperatures at many destinations throughout the globe. Type a destination in the search box and enter a travel date range to learn about seasonal weather patterns.

Get weather information

Tour Company Background: Escape Adventures: Guided

Escape Adventures is a small owner operater company, which began leading cycle tours in East Africa in 1999. It then expanded to New Zealand in 2003 and Asia in 2007. They design, create and lead all of their tours personally to retain a high standard and customer experience.

They are located in Takaka, New Zealand and now offer tours in Kenya, Tanzania, China (Tibet), Laos, Cambodia and New Zealand. They are constantly planning new tours in new destinations. Their strenghts include personal service, small groups (maximum of 12), attention to detail in designing and planning trips. All trips have at least 2 trip leaders plus local interpreter on all trips.

Tour Company Background: Escape Adventures: Self-guided

Escape Adventures is a small owner operater company, which began leading cycle tours in East Africa in 1999. It then expanded to New Zealand in 2003 and Asia in 2007. They design, create and lead all of their tours personally to retain a high standard and customer experience.

They are located in Takaka, New Zealand and now offer tours in Kenya, Tanzania, China (Tibet), Laos, Cambodia and New Zealand. They are constantly planning new tours in new destinations. Their strenghts include personal service, small groups (maximum of 12), attention to detail in designing and planning trips. All trips have at least 2 trip leaders plus local interpreter on all trips.

Terms and Conditions: Escape Adventures: Guided

Information coming soon. 

Terms and Conditions: Escape Adventures: Self-guided

Information coming soon.