Tour Duration: 8 day(s)
Group Size: 1 - 8 people
Specialty Categories: Bicycle Touring Cultural Journey
Season: January - December
Airfare Included: No

This easy-going cycle tour begins in Guilin, located in southwestern China in Guangxi Province about 50 minutes from Hong Kong by air. This tour is intended for those with little or no cycle-touring experience and will utilize vehicle transport to access some of the more remote areas where we can then cycle and explore at a leisurely pace. The tour will be supported, meaning there will be a guide, and we will utilize a vehicle when necessary. The area around Guilin is famous for the karst landscape (limestone hill formations jutting up from an otherwise level ground and the subject of countless traditional Chinese paintings). This area is also riddled with caves used extensively by locals to hide when the Japanese invaded during World War II.

After a day to get acclimated and tour of the city, we will head out into the countryside for some fresh air and head north to Longsheng. Longsheng is located in an area that is known as the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces where entire mountain sides have been transformed into wedding-cake like sculptures. There are also some hot springs to relax in. The next stop at Sanjiang brings us into to one of China’s many minority areas where the Dong people live. The distinctive Wind and Rain Bridges as well as the Drum Towers offer are unique architectural features that clearly identify each village. As we will cycle along the road will pass bamboo waterwheels working to irrigate the rice fields. Next we will travel by vehicle to Yangshou which will provide an opportunity to explore the karst landscape including Moon Hill, visit Confucian and Buddhist temples, various surrounding villages (possibly during market day), see the Dragon Bridges and watch the cormorant bird fishing at night with its owner. We will then head back to Guilin for connections back to the West or other parts of China.

Your Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Guilin, tour city area. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 2: Longsheng-Zhuang Minority area, rice terraces, and hot springs. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 3: Sanjiang. Cycle along the Li River, visit Chopstick factory. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 4: Sanjiang-Dong Minority Village. Wind and Rain Bridges and Drum Tower. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 5: Yangshou. Vehicle transport to Yangshou, visit Dragon Bridges. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 6: Yangshou. Explore Moon Hill, Reed Flute Cave, Tunnel Hill. Rock-Cormorant bird fishing at night. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 7: Yangshou. Cycle along Li River then take a boat ride back to Yangshou. Includes: (B), (L), (D).

Day 8: Guilin-trip ends. Transport to Guilin Airport for connections to the west or other destinations in China. Includes: (B), (L).

Notes:

- All hotel accommodations for 8 nights
- Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included)
- All group transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis) including to/from the Guilin airport
- Bicycle rental including helmets, gloves and panniers
- Bilingual cycling tour guide.