Cycling routes in China

Beijing leads you into China on two wheels with level roads to the south, and more mountainous routes around the Great Wall, complementing city sightseeing. A day’s drive south to Sichuan province promises various routes around Chengdu and the foothills of Mount Emei, as well as access to the river valleys and grasslands of Qinghai – and Tibet beyond. East of Sichuan, cyclists face tough tests in central China on Hubei’s narrow mountain passes, which signal the start of the Three Gorges cycle trail along the Yangtze. Further south, Guilin, in Yangshuo, is surrounded by limestone karsts and unspoiled rural scenes to let cyclists pedal back in time. Alternatively, head west into Yunnan in search of the Tiger Leaping Gorge.

"One of my favourite cycling routes is from Beijing to the Great Wall which passes the Bird's Nest (former Olympic stadium) and the Summer Palace as we cycle out of the city. A bit further out we cycle alongside canals and past newly built housing complexes which give an impression of the endless expansion of Beijing. After about 60km of cycling on flat ground we reach Changping, close to the Ming Tombs. This green and hilly area is surrounded by apple, peach and persimmon orchards and really comes alive in autumn as local farmers sell their freshly picked produce along the side of the road. On the final leg we cycle past typical northern Chinese villages before we finally reach the Great Wall at Huanghua, a section that is still spared from mass tourism.”

“For our challenging cycling vacations in Qinghai province, in the northeast region of the Tibetan Plateau, we’re looking for fit and healthy cyclists who are able to cycle over six hours a day over mountain passes and tricky terrain in some really remote areas. Ideally, cyclists will be experienced in cycling over mountainous gradients where numerous bends, turns and switchbacks frequently figure. We also like cyclists to have a positive mental attitude and a sense of determination as well as being able to deal with challenging weather conditions and the threat of altitude sickness.”

“If you head north from Guangxi into Guizhou province it’s like stepping back in time with ancient ‘wind and rain’ bridges and drum towers There are villages made entirely out of wood, built by ethnic minorities such as the Dong, Miao and Yao people, dotted across the countryside. Although there are little pockets of tourism, it’s the places in between that are most memorable. This is China as you’d imagine. Like a classic ink painting on parchment paper where mountains, topped with temples, appear from the mist as farmers in conical hats till rice fields next to beautiful ethereal rivers.”

“Taking your time to dwell a little on a day’s cycling is definitely the best way to meet local people and find out a bit more about China’s rural culture. Learn how to say a few words in Chinese and don’t forget your phrasebook. If you’re brave enough to break the ice and show willingness to interact this will go a really long way and you’ll no doubt be asked ‘have you eaten?’ as well as experiencing some old school Chinese hospitality, particularly in the mountains. People are friendly, curious and still surprised to see westerners, especially on two wheels.”