When people talk about cycling in Sichuan , many think of the back door to Tibet, Emeishan, Leshan, Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou and trekking in the Songpan mountains. But there are a few other gems to visit and far less known then mentioned.The problem with such a country as China is that people always go for the so called "highlights". Those are the places recommended by the Lonely Planet, Rough Guide and other guidebooks, the places you see on Discovery Channel or read about in the newspapers. And of course they are more then worth a visit. But apart of those places there are lesser or even unknown places to be explored. When cycling in China, there are many such gems.

Traveling in Sichuan alone can take you many weeks, even months if you like, as this province is roughly the size of France, it's actually a bit bigger. This province covers an area of 485,000 kilometers (187,000 miles) and has the largest population in China, with 87 million people. Having said that, it doesn't mean you will find heavy populated areas everywhere.

In fact, the industrial areas are located in the eastern areas of the province: the flatlands. North, west and south west are mountainous and less populated.

You might not have the time to do such long journeys and have no time to cycle to Tibet but still want to experience some of the Tibetan culture. The good news is that Sichuan has some awesome loops to ride, even if you have only two weeks!

Day 1 Chengdu
Pick up from the airport. you will be met and transferred to the hotel for a rest . Then take a leisurely tour of Chengdu visiting Wenshu Monastery, the River Viewing Pagoda,and visiting several restaurants for some local culinary specialties,before a delicious dinner of Sichuan food at a local restaurant.followed by a trip to the Wenshu Temple where you can spend some time sitting in its tea house enjoying a cup of traditional Chinese tea and absorb the special atmosphere of Chengdu and Jili Old Street.

Day 2 Wolong Panda Reserve
This puts us on a quiet road leading into the Wolong Panda Reserve. We will spend the night in Wolong and visit the Panda Research Center/ Panda Museum and Giant Panda Garden the following morning when the pandas are the most active and have plenty of Panda photo opportunities. Wolong Nature Reserve (1900m altitude)-the home of the Giant Pandas, visit the Giant Panda Museum and Giant Panda Garden, where you can get very close to the cute animals and get better understanding of the Giant Panda.

Day 3 Four Girls Mountain Balangshan Pass /Rilong
Drive partly and cycle to Balangshan Pass through the Wolong Nature Reserve. The pass is at 4,523 meters. Yaks can be seen grazing on the slopes tended by Tibetan herdsman. At the top of the pass we will then coast down into a gorgeous valley to Rilongguan, at the base of Four Girls Mountain. We will spend a day in the area hiking and cycling around this scenic area.

Day 4 DaweiRiver/ Xiaojin County
Cycling from Rilong to Xiaojin County along DaweiRiver with beautiful scenery along the way.

Day 5 Danba
Cycling from Xiaojin County to Danba County with the beautiful rurality and houses in Tibetan style. visit the village Wori with an impressive defensive tower and then on to Xiaojin Xian where there is a Buddhist Temple, an Islamic Mosque and a Catholic Church where Mao spent some time on the Long March. The group will end up in Danba, located on the Dadu River, a major tributary to the Yangtze. Along the way we will visit a lamasery and a Tibetan Buddhist Temple.

Day 6 Danba
Explore the Danba around some of the Tibetan Defensive towers the dot the hills around the town.

Day 7 Lushan
Drive partly from Danba, cycle to Lushan.

Day 8 Ermeishan
Cycle to Ermeishan the sacred Buddhist mountain.

Day 9 Leshan Giant Buddha 12km
cycle to Leshan Giant Buddha.

Day 10 Meishan to Huanglongxi 35km
Cycle to Huanglongxi for lunch, an historic village used in many period movies, then cycle to Meishan.

Day 11 Huanglong to Jiuzaigou
Drive to airport and fly to Jiuzaigou after breakfast, 40 minute flight, visit Huanglong Scenic Area-65km away from the airport which is about 1-hour drive through Mt. Xueshanliangzi at 4200m altitude. Drive to Jiuzhaigou Town 2000m altitude (128km, about 2.5-hour drive back through Mt. Xueshanliangzi) after the tour, you will spend the night in Jiuzhaigou Town.

Day 12 Jiuzaigou Hiking
On this day you will enjoy a tour to the Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area. The highest part is Long Lake at 3100m above sea level. You can then take the tourist bus to the top, then walk down part way before stopping for lunch at Nuo Ri Lang Restaurant. After lunch you will continue your walk to tour the beautiful Shuzheng Valley.

Day 13 Jiuzaigou Hiking
In the morning, you will take the tourist bus of the Scenic Area to the top part of Rize Valley, a Virgin Forest, then walk back down to appreciate the view along the way before stopping for lunch at Nuo Ri Lang Restaurant. After lunch you will continue your walk to tour Shuzheng Valley.

Day 14 Chengdu
Fly back to Chengdu,leisure in Chengdu City,free to go around.

Day 15 Departure
Transfer to airport for next Destination.Recommended:Trip KLD7 Yunnan Shangri-La 7-day Bike Tour