China- A world on its own not just a country surrounded by the Himalayas, the Gobi Desert, Siberia and the Pacific Ocean?immersed in history, mythology and traditions both alien and fascinating at one and the same time a huge mass of land with the largest population on earth, the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Fragrant Hill, names that conjure up our wildest dreams of eastern mystique. That’s what this bike ride is all about, beauty, culture, people and above all a challenge that will one of a lifetime.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Arrive in Beijing and transfer to hotel at Huaiyou-approx 50km on the shores of Lake Yanxihu for overnight. safety talk, and map review before dinner. D.
Day 2 Mutianyu Great Wall to Ming Tombs 45 miles
We will start our biking tours in Beijing from our hotel to Mutianyu part of the Great Wall of China. The original wall was built over 2000 years ago and at its height stretched over 4500 miles. Its main objective was to keep out the Mongolian hordes. This proved only partially successful. Today it represents one of the wonders of the world. Mutianyu is part of the wall which offers a spectacular view. After a short visit lunch and bike fitting we begin our challenging adventure.
First downhill then onto a quiet country road which will take us through some beautiful typical Chinese countryside. In the main cycling along a valley between two mountains ranges. After about 12km gradual uphill for about 5km then through a tunnel where we are confronted with a most wonderful panoramic view. Continue past villages, fields filled with crops and a tremendous sense of vegetation everywhere. Then along side a narrow river uphill towards our overnight hotel accommodation Minghuang on the edge of the Ming Tomb area. BLD.
Day 3 Ming Tombs-Longqing Gorge -Hot Springs 50 miles
First a short visit to one of the Ming Tombs. There are some 13 tombs in this area built by the Emperors of China between 14th to the 16th century. We cycle past a few of the tombs through orchards on both sides of the road. Generally little traffic except when we cycle into some of the larger villages. After 10 km we cycle uphill on a deteriorating road, the ascent is fairly difficult for about 6 hours. At the top glorious scenery which we can but marvel at before descending into the valley passing smell ponds, several villages and vast areas of cultivated land. At approx 32km we climb again for 3km, some parts are quite difficult. At the top we should be able to view part of the great Wall from a distance. Downhill is breathtaking and the road is tree lined covered, farming evident everywhere. We continue on flat terrain, passing trees, bushes and fields with crops of every description. We hit traffic around 45km before crossing a water dam, surrounded by willow trees and a water theme park. We will encounter fewer cars and more bikes as we continue towards Longqing Gorge. We cross a number of major roads before reaching our overnight stop at Badaling Hot Spring Hotel. BLD.
Day 4 Badaling Great Wall-Mendougou 55 miles
We start on minor roads with little traffic and bike lanes on both sides of the road. Plenty of farming fields and beautiful trees lie alongside our route. We pass the entrance of Kangxi Grassland towards the Badaling part of the Great Wall of China where we stop for a short visit. Then continue on a minor road virtually parallel to the new express way until we reach the town of Nankou. From there, on to a straight wider road with more traffic but with well marked bicycle lane alongside the main Beijing water canal. For 15km (approx.) we cycle on this much quieter and pretty bicycle route to Mendougou where we stay at Longquan Mountain Villa Hotel. BLD.
Day 5 Mendougou-Shidu 70 miles
This is our longest day cycling, starting on flat terrain through a number of typical Chinese development towns all of which have bike lanes. We will encounter numerous cyclists and so should not feel out of place. Once in the countryside the views change dramatically. From about 15km we ascend a fairly steep hill for approx 4km surrounded by beautiful scenery, cultivated land and thickly wooded areas. We encounter far less traffic and quite exceptional natural landscape. At 30km we cycle through a mountain tunnel with sheer cliffs on either side. After passing a number of limestone work shops, we cycle alongside a narrow stream. After a further 20km we cycle into a much prettier area with open spaces, highly cultivated and less traffic. The terrain becomes more undulation as we near the Shidu region. Here we cycle some 20km along a narrow road, inside a most wonderful gorge, cliffs on both side and water rushing along lower down. We will have an extraordinary cycling experience crossing the Juma River at least six or seven times before reaching our overnight accommodation, the Bijia Billage hotel. BLD.
Day 6 Shidu/Marco Polo Bridge/Tiananmen square 50 miles
Our last day, first we cycle back out of Shidu, viewing the cliffs and scenery from the opposite perspective. After about 25km, we start to climb a fairly difficult terrain with astonishing views as we ascend into the mountains, parts of which are quite steep. We reach the top 8km on, then down past passed pretty villages, dense woods and glorious scenic panoramas. We might even glimpse a train making its way along the mountain side. We begin to hit traffic at around 60km, although most roads have clearly marked bicycle lanes. We hit Marco Polo Bridge at km 90 where we assemble for the last beg into Beijing. The bridge was built in 1192, is 260 meters long and made of gray marble. It was this bridge that was one of the points which ignited a full scale war between China and Japan in 1937.
We are now nearing our ultimate goal as cycle along a bike-only lane beside the express road for about 9km. We then slowly make our way past wide boulevards, sky scrapers, advertising boards and some beautiful old buildings. Our last stretch is onto Changan Boulevard past a number of large office buildings, hotels, China's government house, the edge of the Forbidden City and finally turns into the largest square in the world-Tiananmen square. BLD.
Congratulations we have cycled 270 miles from the Great Wall at Mutianyu to Tiananmen Square in the center of Beijing.
Day 7 Beijing
Free to visit and explore wonderful sites such as the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven and many others in this extraordinary city. Optional tours of the main sights are also available. B.
Day 8 Departure
Transfer to airport for flight out of China. B.
Level: Moderate to challenging
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