China by Bike

On arrival you will need to make your own way to the group hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Guangzhou before we meet in the hotel lounge at approx 6.30pm for a trip briefing with the group leader.
Overnight: Landmark Hotel or similar

This morning we transfer by coach out of hectic streets of Guangzhou to begin our cycle along a trail of the West River to Mt Dinghu. On arrival we take a walking tour of this UNESCO designated nature reserve, which is home to ancient forest, waterfalls and diverse birdlife, along with a 300 year old Buddhist temple. Late afternoon we transfer by road to 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.
Duration: 7 hours (in total)
Cycle distance: 36kms
Grade: Easy
Transportation: 36kms cycle; 101kms transfer
Road: on flat ground
Overnight: Hotel

This morning we transfer by road out of the city to commence our cycle. Today’ s ride follows country roads, with very little traffic, to Fengkai. On the ride we will pass through quite a few villages, rice paddies and have the opportunity to engage with the locals. The afternoon ride is through hilly terrain where we encounter areas of lush forest. The area is famous for its karst formation hills and has several stalactite caves hence the nickname 'Little Guilin'. After a long days ride, we overnight in our comfortable hotel situated close to a peaceful park.
Cycle distance: 82kms
Grade: Moderate
Transportation: 82kms cycle; 101kms transfer
Our total ascent today is 822 meters.
Overnight: Hotel

This morning we will spend some time exploring a couple of the nearby local caves before commencing our days cycle. Todays ride takes us through spectacular scenery with karst hills dotting the landscape, and small villages as we make our way to Huaiji. Today’s terrain is mostly flat and is easier than yesterday. Overnight stay in Huaiji.
Cycle distance: 70kms
Grade: Easy
Overnight: Hotel

Todays ride once again takes through rural areas as we make our way to Lianshan. We pass through a lot of villages and small towns where local farmers are working in the fields and children are riding bikes to go to school or return home for lunch. Lianshan is an ethnic Yao minority town. The Yao minority are set apart from the rest of the population by their culture, traditions and distinctive facial features and still live very traditional lives, relatively untouched by Western influences.
Overnight in Lianshan Holiday Resort Hotel.
Cycle distance: 96kms
Grade: Easy
Overnight: Hotel

Today we cycle deep into Guanxi Province through rural and peaceful countryside as we make our way to the small village of Da Ning. At Da Ning we will call it a day and transfer by road the last section to Zhongshan, to avoid busy traffic on the highway. Overnight in a local guesthouse in Zhongshan.
Cycle distance: 80kms
Grade: Easy
Overnight: Guesthouse

We continue our cycle through the peaceful countryside, our ride today includes some undulation and we have a few uphill climbs as we make our to Gongcheng.
The scenery is dotted with karst formation hills and flowing rivers making for a pleasant ride. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Gongcheng.
Cycle distance: 80kms
Grade: Moderate
Transportation: 80kms cycle
Our total ascent today is approx 800 meters.
Overnight: Hotel

The cycle route to Yangshuo is along undulating roads and will take us through the picturesque countryside. From time to time we will cross the Li River and other smaller rivers with reflections of karst hills. We will pass through many peaceful villages. with lots of photographic opportunities. 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 a lively ambiance.
Cycle distance: 55kms
Grade: Easy
Overnight: New West Street Hotel Yangshuo or similar

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.
Cycle distance: 60 kms
Grade: Easy
Transportation: 60 kms cycle; 12 kms transfer;1 hour’s walking in Moonhill
Overnight: New West Street Hotel Yangshuo or similar

The morning will be at leisure before driving to Guilin to take the afternoon flight to Xian. The old walled city of Xian is the traditional starting point of the Silk Road. It is a vivid example of old and new China. The modernised new city bustles around the quaint, winding lanes of the Old Quarter, where old men can be seen smoking pipes as butchers pull their carcass-laden carts and hawkers sell their wares. The old wall of the city provides not only the perfect vantage point to view Xian but also a flat, traffic free bicycle route around the city.
Overnight: Manxin Hotel or similar

This morning we start with a hike on Mt. Lishan to get a birds eye view of China's first emperor's tomb and then continue on to the Terracotta Warriors. The thousands of Terracotta Warriors, who stand outside the tomb of Qin Shihuang, were uncovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well. Each warrior stands over 6 feet tall and has different features and characteristics. Some stand in a vanguard with crossbow and longbow bearers; others hold spears, daggers and axes at the ready. They are accompanied by dozens of horse-drawn carriages and enormous terracotta horses. The sight of the warriors arising from their muddy grave, some intact, others still submerged in the ground, is an extraordinary one.
Overnight: Manxin Hotel or similar

We start the day with a visit to the Xian Museum followed by a visit to the Big Goose Pagoda, a classic example of Chinese temple architecture. Built in 652 AD it houses Buddhist Scriptures brought back from India along the Silk Road. We will also cycle the old city wall before there will be some free time in the afternoon to finish your exploration of Xian, or freshen up, before we board the train in the late afternoon for Beijing.
Approx: 14km cycle

We will arrive in Beijing in the morning and your group leader will coordinate the transfer to the hotel, the base for the next two nights. After breakfast we visit Tiananmen Square, Mao's Mausoleum, and the Forbidden City followed by a bike ride in the Hutong area. The Forbidden City is a masterpiece of 5000 years of Chinese civilisation and still vividly displays the power and prestige of the former dynasties. Sprawling over acres, the City is a magnificent group of palaces, pavilions, courtyards and deep terracotta walls. Ornately furnished palace rooms, priceless artworks and treasures are all now open to the public after 500 years of seclusion.
*Please note that Mao’s Mausoleum in the Forbidden City opens from 8:00am-12:00pm Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays. Should this day fall on a Monday, it will be switched with day 14 of the trip.
Overnight: Beijing Dong Fang Hotel, or similar.
Approx: 10km cycling

We will make an early morning start today to explore the Great Wall at the Mutianyu section. This is approximately a 1.5 hour drive outside of Beijing, slightly further than the popular and very busy Badaling Gate section. On arrival we will have the option to complete a 2 -3 hour walk along this beautiful section of the wall. Mutianyu is renowned for its Ming Dynasty guard towers and superb views. The scene here is as one would expect of one of the world’s great man made wonders, with huge steep ramparts criss crossing this mountainous area. Those deciding not to undertake the walk will be able to enjoy this section of the wall by cable car. The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is one of the world’s most unusual and awesome sites. Commenced 2000 years ago, it was built as a defence line to keep out invaders, along the course of several thousand kilometres. The Emperor Qin Shihuang unified the various northern walls into the Great Wall we see today. We return to Beijing in the evening. In the evening there may be the opportunity to watch the famed Beijing acrobats.
Overnight: Beijing Dong Fang Hotel, or similar.

Your trip will conclude after breakfast.