Cycling trip to South China – Yangshuo
Warm up this December with a bike trip to one of the most beautiful destinations in China – Yangshuo.
Thinking of hanging up your bike for the year and starting indoor activities ? Well, think again. Serk is organizing a trip to South China where the weather is still warm and the scenery will take your breath away.
Believe it or not we are living in an amazing part of the world for cycling. I don’t need to tell you that Beijing itself has some of the best cycling anywhere in the world (if you are not sure see what Dan Martin has to say about it here). Many of us however are unaware that China is full of an amazing variety of cycling and culture. It’s similar to the stuff that graces the pages of the coolest cycling mags in the world and gets the most likes on instragram feeds. Add in the unique Chinese cultures, amazing food and the chance to learn more about the longest surviving civilization in the world and you’d have to be crazy not to explore it while you are here. We think the opportunities for cycling exploration are immense and most likely be as good if not better than experiences anywhere else in the world. And did I mention that this stuff its just a few hours flight time away from Beijing ?
In 2014 Serk will be launching a series of cycling trips showcasing the best parts of the country. These trips will be run by cyclists and combine the beauty of cycling, chinese culture and landscape in the same well organised, considered and unique way that you’ve already grown to appreciate from the Serk brand.
We could write paragraphs about the beautiful landscapes and unique minority cultures, but instead we think this BBC Wild China documentary shows it all. Have a quick look and see the potentials for experiencing this from the saddle.
This is our first trip to this location so we are limiting to 4 guests to ensure a high quality experience. Come and join Liman and I on this trip – we are looking forward to it immensely.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Thursday December 5th .
Depart Beijing in the afternoon. Arrival at Guilin Airport. Once we arrive we will go over the itinerary, answer questions and introduce you to the local guide before we transfer to our Hotel in Yangshuo. The drive will take approximately 1 ½ hours. On arrival in Yangshuo we’ll orient you to the town and you’ll have some free time depending on your arrival time.
Day 2 Friday December 6th. 90km
Our first day on the bike will start with a fantastic road ride in the stunning Yangshuo’s countryside. After a flat section passing through villages and rice paddies we’ll cycle up to the Jinbao river valley. We spend the day on quiet sealed roads undulating through karst peaks, often passing villages tucked away in the hills. Being close to Guilin delicious Guilin-style rice noodles are available for lunch at the roadside. In the afternoon we merge onto the wider Li river valley. A fast downhill will take us to Yangdi on the bank of the famous Li river. On our arrival in Yangdi it’s time for a smooth bamboo boat cruise on the prettiest section of the Li river. The cruise ends in Xingping, an old Ming Dynasty era village, it’s worth exploring it to see architecture that is rapidly disappearing in China. A shorter nice ride around Yangshuo and transfer to Yangdi is available for those who want to take it easy.
Day 3 Saturday December 7th. 45km
After breakfast it’s back on the saddle for a mountain bike ride. This section is famous for its beautiful karst mountains and it is a fantastic start to the day. Head up into the hills for some of the finest views of the tour. We ride away from the river and pass through Baisha town, where we’ll visit the regions largest produce market, before taking our time riding down the lush and serene Dragon River valley. Nestled amongst paddy fields, overlooked by the centuries old Yu Long (Dragon Meeting) Bridge, we will stop for lunch in a local farmer’s restaurant by the river. After lunch it’s back on the bikes for a great ride back through single tracks to our final destination along the Yu Long river.
Optional evening activity. Liu San Jie (Three Sisters) light and Sound show. This performance, designed by the director of the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony, Zhang Yimou, features a cast of over three hundred performers and lights up the local karst mountains and river spaces to create a spectacle that is quite extraordinary.
A shorter ride back to Yansghuo or alternative activities are available.
Day 4 Sunday December 8th.
Today is devoted to climbing (or the activity of your choice). Yangshuo has a developing international reputation for the quality of the rock-climbing, so we have included a half-day rock-climbing session. It does not matter if you are a novice or professional climber, these guys can and do cater to all levels. Note: If rock-climbing is not your thing, you are most welcome to replace it with either: a hike through one of the caves with a local guide, kayak down the Li River, half-day course at Yangshuo’s cooking school. Today is departure day, we’ll organise a transfer to connect with your flight back to Beijing in the afternoon. If you wish to stay longer to soak up Yangshuo’s unique atmosphere and activities contact us.
Price : As this is a preview trip with small numbers the prices will depend on number of attendees. Please send us an email if you are interested and we will let you know the range. liman@serkcycling.com
