“Huizhou culture”  is one of the three major regional cultures of China. Yixian County is one of the birthplaces of Huizhou culture and former centre for Huizhou merchants. Yixian is surrounded by mountains and flowing streams. In April it is covered by flowers. Yixian County was also a historical and cultural city, especially during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.  The ancient style houses are well-known in this region. Among them, Hongcun, Xidi are listed as world cultural heritage, known as “the picture of wild China”, and “oriental ancient architectural art treasure museum”.

Huangshan mountain represents the typical mountain depicted in Chinese paintings – many peaks and frequently shrouded in mist. Over 1450 kinds of flora and fauna are found at Huangshan.

Flight from Beijing to Huangshan Tuixi airport.

Arrival at destination and settle into Hotel

Day 2: April 12th

Hotel→ Meixi village (41 kilometers)→ Lunch→ Kecun village (8 kilometers)→ Town of Yixian (49 kilometers)

After breakfast, we will ride through the rolling Fangjia hills and head to Meixi village (also known as “Little Guilin” thanks to its Guilin like mountain and river scenery). The village features flowing streams and waterfalls close by. You can take a bamboo raft and float through the ancient village on the river or step into local farmers’ tea garden to experience picking tea leaves and viewing how fresh leaves are processed.

We have some delicious and fresh local cuisine at a farmers house before departing for the afternoon ride. We will ride an extra 8km over Maoshan hill. At the crest of the hill you’ll see the lovely flower fields of Kecun basin below. For the return trip you have two choices – ride back to Yixian hotel, or take our bus back.  Dinner will be at Yixian.

Day 3: April 13th

Hotel→ Hongcun village (15km) then ride the Huangshan Track (21k) kilometers)→Lunch

Option 1:  Shenchong village→ Wuli village→ Guzhu village→ Huangcun village→ Guanlu village→ Nanping village→ Yuguang village→ Zhongshan village→ Yaoshan village→ Henggang village→ Town of Yixian (40 kilometers)

Option 2: Hongcun village → Pingshan Camp ( 10km ) → Hiking(1-2 hours)→ Xidi village→ Town of Yixian (10km)

15 km morning ride to Hongcun the location for the start of Huangshan Mountain race. Hongcun is a World Heritage site with over 500 years history. It has hosted the Huangshan Mountain race since 2006 in the second weekend of April – the perfect time to ride through the village. We will attend the opening ceremony and then start riding the race course. The course takes you through bamboo forests, old villages and along ancient roads. You can ride at your own pace and get off your bike and enjoy the scenic spots. Or if you want ride full gas and try to get on the podium ! If you came with a road bike you can hire a mountain bike for the morning to do the race course.

At noon, you have choices to get lunch at Longchiwan restaurant or pick your own eating spot.

In the afternoon, there are two options for the group. The first option is about 30 kilometers riding though 10 traditional small villages to get back to hotel.

The second option is to ride from Hongcun village to Pingshan (around 10km).  From Pingshan we’ll do a hike to Xidi.  The hike about 1-2hours. At the end of the hike route which is Xidi village. Xidi is a museum of traditional living houses another World Heritage Site.  It is famous for 124 old Hui style houses that were built by Hui businessmen many centuries ago, even now some of those businessmen’s descendants still live there. After wondering this lovely town, we will collect our bikes, and ride back to Yixian to finish the day.

Day 4: April 14th 21:25-23:30 Return Flight back to Beijing 

Hotel→ Henggang circle→ Yixxian center of culture and science→ Pingshan International Mountain Bike testing trail→ Xiuli movie producing village→ Longchuan Hongyun handwork of brick-making(10 kilometers)→ Biyang town→ traditional Hui stone carving handwork(5 kilometers)→ lunch→ Wuli circle→ Henggang→ Xidi→ Shangcun→ Aishang→ Lingchuan→ Taoyuandong→ Henggang→ Hotel(25kilometers)→Dinner →Tunxi airport

Morning：

Ride from Yixian to visit a brick making and stone carving studio.

The development of Hui architecture and material development are linked very closely. Hui architecture is mostly brick & wooden construction. The green-gray bricks are unique to the area. Many years ago it was common to see brick-making workshops in every village with many craftsmen. The skill required to master the art of brick making takes 10 years of learning. Unfortunately the skills to undertake this traditional craft are disappearing quickly as China modernizes and young villagers leave the area looking for a modern life in the big cities. We will have a chance to see this craftwork up close. The brick factory we are visiting is not usually open to the public.

After the brick factory we’ll visit stone carving artist Huxiaoshi. He received an  award of excellence from UNESCO in 2008 for his skill in authentic traditional stone carving. We will have a chance to see how he creates his work close up.

After visiting Hu Xiaoshi’s workshop, we will have lunch. Afterwards, we will do a ride to Taoyuan cave. The entire trip is about 25 kilometers. Taoyuan cave is located at hillside of Shimoling, with flourishing old trees. On the way, you will see different old-fashioned villages and beautiful countryside views. After having dinner, we will go back to hotel to collect luggage, pack bikes and leave for the airport.

PRICING:  2500RMB/person

INCLUDED:

• All Accommodation. Our Hotel is 3 star Hotel – but one of the better ones in the region.
• Breakfast each day
• Entry to Huangshan race (value : 150 RMB)
• Free entry for 4 tourist sites on the race circuit (value : 300 RMB)
• Airport pickup/dropoff
• Support vehicle everyday apart from day 4
• Guide for visiting brick making workshop and Hu Xiaoshi studio
• Local riding guides each day plus Serk staff

NOT INCLUDED:

• Return Air ticket 2,300- 2,600RMB We can book these if needed.
• Lunch/dinner,  people can choose to eat together or separately. Each meal is estimated 30-50RMB/head. We can recommend restaurants. For group meals we will go dutch.
• Tickets to some sites, should you want to visit some special sites.
• There will be another car available for any emergencies during the trip. If you are required to use this extra charges will apply.

OPTIONAL:

• Mountain Bike rental 100/day.
• Top level Swift Carbon Road bike rental 800 rmb for the whole trip

NOTES :

•  Participants are expect to have their own travel insurance.

1. Easy.12km. 1 hour riding

Dust off your city bike and ride 11km to the base house by the Jiankou Great Wall. Take a hike on the wall and take in the lovely views. When you’re all walled out walk back to the house and relax with a beer and enjoy the some fresh Pizza. The bike route is an easy 12km route with some uphill and downhill.

Any type of bike is suitable – bring your rusted up flying pidgeon if you want ! Just make sure your brakes work properly or you’ll ride straight past the lunch stop !!! Geared bikes are also available from SERK for hire.

2. Moderate. 34km. 2 hours of riding

Ride over some challenging hills. Take your time, soak up the views and enjoy the fast downhills.  While you’re taking a breather enjoy the tranquility – its amazingly quiet out there especially when you consider you are only 50km (as the crow flies) from one of the world’s biggest metropolises. When ready head back over the hills. By the time you get over the final hill you’ll almost be able to smell the fresh pizza coming out of the oven.

Geared bikes required for this ride. Road or Mountain bikes are suitable – bike hire available from serk.

3. Challenging. 73 km. 3.5 hours of riding

This is the challenging route. Expect to do some serious climbing over a few different passes. The course will be a point to point course which you can extent to 100 or more kilometers if you ride at a decent pace.  You’ll be one of the last ones back to the house but don’t worry we’ll keep a cold beer or 3 ready for you – you’ll deserve a beer after that effort.

4. Hike option. 2 hours

If you’d prefer to hike on the Great Wall you can ! The bus will drop you off at entrance to the Great Wall park. Walk, climb, hike, take photos – do as you wish along this part of unrestored wall. Make sure you bring some sturdy shoes as the wall is quite steep in sections.

Individual – bus and bike transport option

500 RMB per person

Includes ;

• Bus transport to the mountains
• Transport for your bike
• Pizza and Salad
• Fruit snacks
• Drinking water
• Changing / toilet facilities
• Ride guides

Individual – self drive option

300 RMB per person

Includes ;

• Pizza and salad
• Fruit snacks
• Drinking water
• Changing / toilet facilities
• Ride guides

Family – self drive option

300 RMB per adult 200 RMB per child third child free

Includes ;

• Pizza and Salad
• Fruit snacks
• Drinking water
• Changing / toilet facilities
• Ride guides

Bike Rental

Mountain bike rental (with gears) : 150 RMB

Carbon Road bike rental : 300 RMB (limited units available so book early)

7am Meet at serk / pack trucks / bus

08.30 Arrive in Huairou Mountains

10.00 Riders depart. Different groups depart from different locations

12.00 Pizza serving starts at the Gung Ho Hut by Jian Kou Wall

12.00 34km riders return

13.30 70km riders return

14.30 Afternoon hike option to the JianKou Great Wall

16.30 Depart

18.30 Arrive back at serk.

• All minors require adult supervision
• Activities undertaken at own risk
• Wall ride / climb requires an additional 20 rmb entrance fee