Cycle Tour China: Guilin and Guangxi

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival in Guilin

   Welcome to China! Guilin, one of China’s most beautiful cities, makes for an interesting place to spend the day. With plenty of restaurants and eating options, shopping strips and cafes it’s a good chance to see how the local urbanites spend their evenings all against a backdrop of the area’s stunning karst mountains.
   
   After transferring from the airport and following hotel check-in (journey time approx. 1 hour), there will be a group meeting, where you’ll meet your tour leader. During this, you'll go over all the formalities of the trip and any questions you may have will be answered. After the group meeting, you'll head out for your first delicious evening meal.
   
   If arriving early to recover from jet lag, for example, feel free to book accommodation in Guilin. If you wish to spend extra time on your holiday the recommendation is to book your extra time in Yangshuo, at the end of the trip: it’s a more serene rural location with more interesting relaxing and active options. Let us know if you need help booking extra accommodation or need advice for further travel in the region.
   
   

   • Guilin Accommodation
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Guilin to Bajiaozhai National Park (2 - 3 hour hike)

   Today you'll head out early after breakfast for a drive to the north of Guilin (2 hours) to the UNESCO-listed Bajiaozhai National Park, famed for its unique pink sandstone danxia formations, similar at first glance but geologically distinct from the more famous limestone karst mountains found further south. Once here you’ll hike up to the Buddhist temples (1800 steps) for incredible views overlooking the neighbouring province, Hunan.
   
   After a wander through these working temples and watching the locals make offerings and wishes at the shrines you’ll have a picnic lunch on top of the mountain. Finally, it’s a walk down through bamboo groves to the hotel, with time to set up the bikes and a cool off in the hotel pool. Dinner is a local style banquet where we’ll make sure the local specialities and produce are featured.
   
   

   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
3. Day 3Bajiaozhai NP - Guali - Chetian

   The start of today’s ride is spectacular as you'll trace a route through the national park among the danxia formations for around 5 Miles/ 8 Kms, before riding out of the park through tiny villages on quiet roads. Its undulating terrain with forest and farmland as the backdrop where you’ll see local people tending rice fields or livestock. You'll take a sharp ascent up onto a ridge line, where things flatten out for a while, and rural China scenes abound, before descending into a wider valley and the lunch stop in the village of Guali.
   
   After lunch, it’s a steady climb of 11 Miles / 18 Kms, flat at first and becoming steeper to the top of the pass, via the tiny village of Baotian, where we’ll break at a local school. For those that wish to transfer up to the top of the hills, the vehicles will be available. From the top you can see the ridge line of the province’s highest mountain peak: Mao Er Shan (Cat Mountain).
   
   The descent on the other side takes you through forests, narrow gullies and ravines. You’ll pass numerous villages and wooden houses built on the mountainsides and nestled amongst rice terraces, fruit orchards and wild forest. You’ll make your way down onto the main river valley which will bring you into the small Chetian Miao Autonomous Prefecture. Populated by the Miao minority group, (also known as Hmong in South East Asia), this vibrant little administrative centre is a hub for the surrounding Miao villagers to distribute their produce and the bustling market is always colourful.
   
   You'll have a short ride out of Chetian town where you'll stay in a secluded valley in a quiet farming village in a small hotel along a small bubbling stream. Upstream are spectacular rock formations and waterfalls ideal for hiking and swimming.
   
   Riding – The first 17 Miles / 28 Kms is undulating with several short steep climbs (and descents). A longer climb of 11 Miles/ 18 Kms will follow lunch – gradual for the first 6 Miles / 10 Kms before getting steeper to the pass. A 10 Km downhill follows, with the remainder generally flat with some short climbs and descents here and there.
   
   

   • 34.2 miles
   • 3,461.3 ft
     3,461.3 ft
   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
4. Day 4Chetian to Datangwan

   The ride today is a scenically spectacular one as you cycle along a high ridge line with views down to the valleys below and across to the huge mountains beyond where small wooden villages cling to the mountainsides. This area is inhabited by Dong, Miao and Yao people and these villages see few tourists. Locals are sure to welcome you with a smile and are proud to see you look around their homes.
   
   There is a steep 2.5 Mile / 4 Km climb from the guesthouse up to the ridge line before dipping and climbing a final shorter section and descending for a tea break. It’s a steep downhill to the Xun Jiang, Xun River, which you will follow to lunch and your hotel just beyond.
   
   Your hotel is riverside and a dip in the river will refresh you after the ride. The surrounding views are epic as you are located at the end of a high and narrow gorge: Datangwan translates to big gorge. Dinner will be in the traditional style hall with local dishes featured.
   
   Riding – Sealed road with two short but steep climbs after which it is 15 Miles / 25 Kms with a downhill bias.
   
   

   • 26.7 miles
   • 2,427.8 ft
     2,427.8 ft
   • Riverside Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
5. Day 5Datangwan - Longsheng - Pingan

   Most of the terrain for today will be flat or undulating but with a steep and challenging 4 Mile / 6 Km climb up to the Longji rice terraces to finish. Along the way, you’ll pass through the county capital, Longsheng, where you’ll check out the local market. This is where much of the produce in the region ends up before being traded to far-off locations around China, or to kitchens locally. There is an extraordinary array of goods for sale; exotic and sometimes very strange, but always colourful and fascinating.
   
   You’ll ride out of Longsheng and make your way to the Longsheng Rice Terraces. You’ll stop for lunch before entering the park area. The following ride has a few little climbs as we make our way up the small river that is dotted with Yao villages, and their colourfully dressed occupants. Glimpses of the villages high above give an indication of the climb ahead: a 4 Mile/ 6 Km climb up a switchback road to the base of Pingan village situated in the middle of the rice terraces.
   
   You’ll swap out the cycling shoes for hiking shoes and take a walk up stone steps for around 20 mins to the guesthouse. It is suggested that you pack a day pack to bring with you for the two-night stay in Pingan. If you would like to have all your gear with you, porters are available for around 80-100CNY (15USD) return. You’ll arrive in Pingan with enough time to sit back with a beer and enjoy the sunset views from the terrace of the Zhuang minority, traditionally-built guesthouse. The owners, Keyin and Lily, will make you feel at home and may offer a sample of their special sweet rice wine to go with their outstanding cooking.
   
   Riding – Gentle undulations in the morning tending down to Longsheng markets (19 Miles / 30 Kms). There is another 15 Miles / 24 Kms of generally flat with some small hills to the Longji Rice Terraces with one steep 4 Mile / 6 Km climb to finish.
   

   • 36.7 miles
   • 3,379.3 ft
     3,379.3 ft
   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
6. Day 6Pingan - Free Day

   A free day to relax in perfect surroundings overlooking the village and rice terraces from the seclusion of the balcony in your room or the outdoor deck. Take a wander through the village and up through the rice terraces to the two major viewpoints. All the walks are signposted so it’s easy to make your way around on your own at your own pace if you so desire. No meals are included today as there is an abundance of cafes and restaurants to explore, all with English menus.
   
   An optional guided hike (4 to 5 hours) with a local guide is also available, leaving after breakfast, to take you to the viewpoints and onto Longji village, the oldest in the terraces and with some of the best examples of stilt-style houses in China. The hike is free – you’ll just need to bring some cash with you if you decide to stop for lunch along the way or pick up a souvenir
   
   

   • Local accommodation
7. Day 7Pingan to Shiertan

   Today starts with a fantastic downhill back through the switchbacks you cycled up previously – a nice reward for the effort! You'll spend the day on quiet, sealed roads undulating through pine and bamboo forests, often passing villages tucked away in the hills. The views are spectacular as you head up a 7.5 Mile/ 12 Km gentle climb followed by the fastest twisting descent of the trip. Being close to Guilin, delicious Guilin-style rice noodles are available for lunch at the roadside.
   
   In the afternoon there is the choice to continue cycling through bamboo plantations and small rural villages or put your feet up and pick up some paddles for a sometimes thrilling, sometimes serene, optional rubber raft ride directly to your hotel by the river. Cost for the rafting is 180CNY (28USD). You’ll settle into the hotel for the evening with a chance to explore the area on foot, try your hand at ping pong, or relax before a banquet of local dishes overlooking the river.
   
   Riding – Very quiet sealed roads on generally hilly terrain. One 7.5 Mile / 12 Km steady climb.
   
   

   • 21.1 - 37.3 miles
   • 3,822.2 ft
     3,822.2 ft
   • Local accommodation
   • Lunch and Dinner
8. Day 8Shiertan - Qingshitan - Jiuwu

   A morning of completely flat cycling! You'll make your way through the village of Wantian, and visit the local market, before taking a windy route through farmers’ fields on back roads and farmer’s paths: you’ll literally be able to touch all the produce being grown in the region. Quaint cycle paths take you along the riverside and rice fields to Wuteng, a larger market town, and on to Liu San Jie Tea plantation where you'll stop for lunch.
   
   You’ll have a chance to learn a little about Chinese tea culture with a tour of the plantation where you’ll see how tea is picked after which a traditional tea ceremony will provide an opportunity to taste several different types of tea.
   
   After lunch, you'll cycle further back into the country to Qingshitan reservoir, a huge expanse of water that serves as a water supply to Guilin, and then on to Jiuwu, a step back in time 800 year old scholar’s village where ancient temples, halls and waterways will have the photographers amongst you pleased. Your hotel is nearby where you'll spend the night.
   
   Riding – Flat sealed roads with a couple of very short climbs.
   
   

   • 39.1 miles
   • 1,361.5 ft
     1,361.5 ft
   • Local accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
9. Day 9Jiuwu - Xiongcun - Daxu

   From the ancient town of Jiuwu, you'll cycle through rural farmland villages that have buildings decorated with folk art by local artists. You’ll stop for a break in the town of Lingui before heading across the Li River and the surrounding estuaries, where fish farms abound
   
   The first climb of the day takes you out of the Li River valley and into the hills. You'll make your way to the tiny village of Qingjiangtian, where you’ll stop for lunch. A 20-minute walk behind the village, following a stream, will lead you to a jungle amphitheatre with a secret waterfall that you can hike behind.
   
   After lunch, your ride heads mostly downhill to Xiongcun, another ancient village where people have been living for over 1000 years. The old town has been surrounded by newer dwellings and only a few of the elderly still live there. So far escaping the developers’ eye, the old town has been left un-renovated and remains one of the few intact ancient towns in the south. It also sees very few tourists so you’ll likely have the place to yourself to explore the many lanes, canals and gateways.
   
   The remainder of the day will take you further along this old trading road along riverside rural paths to what was once one of the most important trading port towns in Southern China, Daxu. You’ll explore the old village, similarly relatively un-renovated, but seeing more tourists, you’ll find antique shops, street hawkers, souvenir stands and Chinese herbalists, a pleasant hubbub to enjoy before moving on to your hotel on the Li River.
   
   Riding – Mostly flat sealed roads with one steep climb of around 2 Kms.
   
   

   • 51 miles
   • 1,591.2 ft
     1,591.2 ft
   • Local Accommodation
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
10. Day 10Daxu – Xingping

    Daxu lies on the edge of the UNESCO-listed Southern China Limestone Karst Area and you’ll spend the last few days exploring the amazing scenery of this region. You’ll cycle the famous bamboo-lined Li River passing through groves of bamboo and watching the river life along the route before heading for the hills where the views get progressively grander.
    
    Citrus plantations predominate in the hills as towering karst mountains surround you in all directions. There are two steady climbs and two thrilling downhills for the morning’s ride that bring you into a wider valley for lunch at a fish farm. After lunch, you can opt, weather-dependent, on a climb up to a waterfall for a cooling swim, or a speedy ride into Xingping back on the Li River.
    
    Xingping is an interesting place to wander around. It sees more tourists these days, which means there are lots of little cafes and handicrafts to check out, adding to the overall charm of the place. There are some spectacular lookouts and swimming spots too. The evening is free for you to explore on your own, English menus, pizza and craft beer are plentiful here!
    
    Riding – Flat riding along cycle paths and country roads for the first 9 Miles / 15 Kms. Two main climbs of roughly 2 Kms, each with long descents between follow lunch.
    
    After lunch there’s a steep 1 Km climb and then a gradual ascent to the waterfall for another 4 Kms after which it is downhill and flat to Xingping.
    
    

    • 36 miles
    • 3,149.6 ft
      3,149.6 ft
    • Local Accommodation
    • Breakfast and Lunch
11. Day 11Xingping - Dragon River Valley

    Today is a real highlight. Riding slightly back upstream to catch the ferry across the Li River, you’ll catch views of fishermen and water buffaloes drifting by in a “Dr Seuss” landscape before hitting the road again to continue a little further up the river.
    
    Next is a steep climb out of the Li River valley and a well-earned rest at Xianggongshan lookout. You’ll head up to a lookout to appreciate the spectacular scenery and some of the best views of the entire trip. A further climb in a surreal landscape takes you up and over into the Yulong (Jade Dragon) River Valley, where you'll take a winding route on flat cycle paths and back roads, via the 400-year-old Dragon Bridge, to your hotel nestled in a quiet valley surrounded by karst mountains.
    
    Riding – Mostly flat on quiet sealed roads and cycle paths with one 2 Km steep climb and one gentle climb over 3 Kms. One short section will pass through a busy small town with some traffic.
    
    

    • 28 miles
    • 1,542 ft
      1,542 ft
    • Local Accommodation
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
12. Day 12Moon Hill - Li River - Yangshuo

    The last day’s ride takes you past the famous Moon Hill before cycling through epic rural countryside to the Li River for the final time until emerging in legendary Yangshuo. This once sleepy backpacker destination is now a thriving little tourist town which is a fun place to relax and indulge a little! You'll stay in a centrally located hotel with easy access to the town. You’ll meet in the evening for another lavish banquet dinner and a beer, or three, to celebrate the end of your biking adventure in this incredible part of China.
    
    Riding – All flat riding on quiet backroads with some busier sections as you arrive in town as well as some short sections on dirt roads.
    
    

    • 31.7 miles
    • 1,984.9 ft
      1,984.9 ft
    • Local Accommodation
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
13. Day 13Departure

    Sadly the time has come to bid farewell to China as you transfer back to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL)(journey time approx. 1 hour 30 mins) for your flights back home.
    
    

    • Breakfast