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Type
Road
Duration
12 Days & 11 Nights
Next Departure
04 Nov 2025
Status
Available
From
3.950 EUR
China Yunnan Crossing by Road Bike
Discover the ultimate road bike tour across Yunnan, China, an unforgettable road bike adventure through remote mountain landscapes and vibrant local culture. Ride through ancient trade routes, challenge yourself on winding mountain roads, and cross one of the deepest gorges on Earth. This active holiday takes you off the beaten path, combining high-altitude climbs with scenic descents and peaceful valleys. Along the way, pause in traditional villages and historic towns where you can rest, recharge, and experience the rhythm of daily life in Yunnan. Every stage of the journey offers a new perspective, from dramatic cliffs to quiet forested roads, with each climb rewarded by sweeping views and a sense of achievement. At the end of each day, connect with welcoming communities and discover the flavors, customs, and hospitality that make this region so unique.
Highlights
Included
Excluded
- Tour Grade
Included and Optional Services
Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival at Shangri-La Airport (DIG)
Welcome to Yunnan!
On the first day of the China Yunnan Crossing by Road Bike tour, your guide and driver will meet you and take you to the hotel, where you can settle in and relax before the cycling adventure begins. This first day gives you time to adjust to the altitude and soak in the charm of this Tibetan-influenced mountain town.
Transfer
00:30 h
Arro Khampa Boutique Hotel
DAY 2
Shangri-La Loop
Let the adventure begin!
At 3,300 meters above sea level, Shangri-La is the perfect place to ease into your active holiday. Today’s loop ride combines light cycling with cultural exploration. Start with a visit to the impressive Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest in Yunnan, before heading toward the ancient city of Zhongdian to discover the Baji Monastery, a historical gem from the 13th century. After a traditional Tibetan lunch with a local family, continue your ride through peaceful mountain roads to Cheng’en Monastery in Nuoxi village. Wrap up the day with a serene visit to Dabao Monastery, where the deep roots of Buddhist culture offer a moment of quiet reflection.
Cycling Distance
30 km
Arro Khampa Boutique Hotel
DAY 3
Shangri-La – Bai Shui Tai
A challenging day, with adrenaline and a rewarding ending!
Today’s route sets the tone for a true road bike adventure through high-altitude terrain. Begin on the gentle stretches of Donghuanxian Road, passing through picturesque Tibetan villages. As the ride progresses, the landscape becomes more rugged and the climbs more demanding, but each effort is rewarded with stunning views and a powerful sense of achievement. The highlight awaits at the end: Baishuitai. After checking in, take time to explore the iconic Baishuitai Terraces, a sacred site for the Naxi people and a natural wonder shaped over thousands of years.
Cycling Distance
102 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1400 m
Baodan Hotel
DAY 4
Bai Shui Tai – Tiger Leaping Gorge
Discover one of the largest canyons on Earth!
Fuel up with breakfast before setting out on a day full of climbs, sweeping views, and dramatic descents. The ride starts with a few rolling hills before a steady ascent brings you to a scenic pass overlooking the majestic Haba Mountain and its remote valley. From here, a thrilling 6 km descent leads to the village of Haba, where you’ll pause to enjoy a traditional Naxi meal and recharge for the next challenge. The afternoon brings a tough 7 km climb up to 3,250 meters, followed by an unforgettable 25 km descent into the Yangtze River valley. Pass through Yonke village and continue toward the awe-inspiring Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest canyons on Earth, with towering cliffs, roaring rapids, and jaw-dropping views all around.
Cycling Distance
69 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1900 m
Shanquan Guesthouse
DAY 5
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Rest and enjoy the peace of the canyon.
As part of the China Yunnan Crossing by Road Bike, today is a flexible day to rest, explore, or stay active at your own pace. If you’re feeling energetic, take a relaxed 30 km road bike ride along the Yangtze River, or walk down to the gorge itself to witness the power of the river crashing through narrow rock channels. Prefer to stretch your legs on foot? Hike the upper trails for panoramic views of snow-covered peaks and the steep cliffs of the third-largest gorge in the world. Whether riding or walking, this is a day to connect with the natural beauty and silence of the canyon.
Shanquan Guesthouse
DAY 6
Tiger Leaping Gorge – Lijiang
Meet the Naxi people – a fascinating ethnic minority!
Start the day with a 12 km walk to the ferry crossing over the Yangtze River, a quiet warm-up before your road bike tour continues. From the riverbank, the route climbs steadily for 30 km, gaining 1,500 meters of elevation up to the Dragon Snow Mountain pass at 3,100 meters. It’s a demanding section, but one that rewards you with remote mountain views and the unique rhythm of a true active adventure. After the pass, the road rolls gently through Dragon Snow Mountain Park, often called a natural glacier museum for its alpine scenery and sharp contrasts. Take time to pause at Blue Moon Valley, where turquoise streams wind through pine-covered slopes. In the afternoon, a short vehicle transfer covers the final 30 km to Lijiang, a town rich in heritage and home to the Naxi people. Here, traditions run deep shaped by matriarchal roots, centuries-old music, and one of the world’s few remaining pictographic scripts.
Cycling Distance
98 km
Elevation Gain
+ 2300 m
Arro Khampa Hotel
DAY 7
Lijiang – Shaxi
A city untouched by time!
Your road bike tour continues today with a scenic ride through rural Yunnan. Leaving the city behind, you’ll follow the historic Tibetan Road 214, passing rice paddies, peaceful farmland, and remote Tibetan villages, an ideal setting for an active holiday in China. The 100 km ride includes two short but steep climbs before a long descent into the valley leading to Shaxi, an ancient town where time seems to have stood still. As you descend through the countryside, remember to check your brakes, the winding roads are part of the thrill of this active adventure on two wheels.
Cycling Distance
100 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1200 m
Sunyata Shaxi Hotel
DAY 8
Rest Day or Trekking to Minjing village
Relax and let yourself get lost in the streets of Shaxi.
Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. You can relax and explore the historic town of Shaxi, one of the best-preserved caravan trading towns in Yunnan, once a vital stop on the ancient Tea and Horse Road. With its narrow lanes, ancient architecture, and relaxed atmosphere, it’s perfect for a rest day—or, if you’re up for more activity, opt for a walking tour to Minjing village via Mappingguan. Whether on foot or on your bike, this is a day to absorb the rich history and local culture that make this region unique.
Sunyata Shaxi Hotel
DAY 9
Shaxi – Eryuan
A long ride along the riverbank.
This stage of your road bike tour begins with a peaceful ride along the historic Tea Route Road, tracing the Heihui River. You’ll cover 47 km through quiet villages before stopping for lunch in Liantie. After the break, a support vehicle takes you up to a 3,000-meter mountain pass, saving your legs for the long 22 km descent that follows. As you roll down into Eryuan, the changing altitude and open landscapes offer one of the most dynamic cycling experiences of the tour. This day combines endurance, scenery, and the spirit of active travel across Yunnan.
Cycling Distance
101 km
Elevation Gain
+ 1500 m
Vienna Hotel
DAY 10
Eryuan – Dali
Discover the center of an ancient empire!
Your last day on the road bike brings you to Dali, cycling along a paved route between the Canshan Mountains and Erhai Lake. This final stage is a scenic stretch that reflects everything this active adventure represents: open roads, cultural depth, and the satisfaction of completing a multi-day journey across Yunnan. Dali, once the capital of the Nanzhao Empire, is now a vibrant city filled with local markets, historic architecture, and the traditions of the Bai ethnic group. It’s the perfect place to reflect on your ride and enjoy the last evening of your cycling holiday.
Cycling Distance
57 km
Elevation Gain
+ 700 m
Honglongjing Hotel
DAY 11
Dali – Kunming
Today, a day full of culture awaits you!
Today offers a more relaxed pace, but the experience remains rich and engaging. Start your day in Dali with a walking tour through the Xiazhou market and the town’s historic neighborhoods. This is a perfect opportunity to appreciate the traditional Bai architectural style and connect with the local way of life. Make sure to try the famous Three-Course Tea, a regional ritual that reflects centuries of culture. Later, head to Zhoucheng village, known as the “House of Dyeing.” Here, you’ll have the chance to learn traditional fabric dyeing techniques directly from the Bai community, an immersive and hands-on cultural experience that complements your active holiday. In the afternoon, take the high-speed train to Kunming and enjoy some light sightseeing around Green Lake, a peaceful way to close your road bike tour through Yunnan.
Cycling Distance
Xiazhou
Green Lake
DAY 12
Departure
OUR SPLENDID PROGRAM HAS COME TO AN END
The China Yunnan Crossing by Road Bike comes to an end today. After days of cycling, walking, and cultural discovery, it’s time to say goodbye. Our guide will meet you at the hotel and assist with your transfer. Although the tour has finished, the memories of your road bike journey, the landscapes, and the cultural encounters will stay with you long after you return home. We hope to welcome you again for another adventure holiday with Exotic Nature Trails.
Transfer
00:30h