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Lakes &

Mountains

Uyghur Autonomous Region

XinJiang

Serk Cycling Beijing

Xinjiang is China’s largest province and is host to some of the most delightful landscapes anywhere on the planet. Snow capped mountains, lush valleys with wild horses, moonscapes, blue lakes and grasslands - this region of Xinjiang has it all. Add to that the vibrant culture of the Muslim Uyghur people and you have the right ingredients for unique china cycling experience. Xinjiang has been on our radar for years - with new roads and accomodation rolling out everyday its time to go and explore it with road bikes!

7 days

5 riding days
August 18th - 25th

distance

478 km - 540 km

climbing

5000m

location

Ili Kazakh
Autonomous Prefecture
Xinjiang China

Day 1.

Yining

Arrive Yining in the afternoon.
Airport pick and transfer to Hotel.
After you've settled into your room and unpacked your bike join us for a stroll down Hanren Jie for a visit to the local Uygur shops and a taste of your first roast lamb skewer !
It gets dark very late in this part of the world so we'll go for a post dinner ride on the bikes to make sure everything is in order.

 

30km

0m

bread
mosque

Day 2.

Yining – Zhaosu

Our first proper day of climbing up the Baishifeng Mountain. The mountain is named after the white rocks which reveal themselves at the peak of the pass.

The mountain is covered in lush grass and you'll witness some local  farmers from the Kazakh ethnic group herding cattle, horses and sheep around the grasslands.

There is a long tunnel today so bring your lights !

Arriving at Zhaosu you'll stay in a nice hotel in a new part of town. We'll head into the old district for a local meal delicious hand made noodles.

116km

2400m

food
around_zhaosu3

 

Baishifeng Mountain provides the first of many climbing challenges of the trip.

Day 3.

Zhaosu – Tekesi

Today we ride to Tekesi along a slightly downhill road for 63km. We will pass through open farmland and grasslands - green is definitely the theme today ! Tekesi is designed around the shape of the traditional Bagua symbol.

63km

-630m

zhaosu-tekesi1
kids

Day 4.

Tekesi- Kongliu

Today is adventure day. We take some back roads so expect some rough surfaces and gravel roads.  The reward - a trip around a gorgeous lake and brand new tarmac 25km. This type of adventure riding is not for everyone so if you prefer you can have a rest and take the support vehicle instead of riding.

87km

400m

tekesi-xinyuan3
around_zhaosu2_road

 

Today we explore off the beaten track around a rarely visited turquoise lake.

Day 5.

Xinyuan - Nalati (start riding ) – Qiaoerma

Back to Swiss landscapes and long climbs. Today's ride is another stunner with vibrant greens, Kazakh herders waving hello and fast descents to ensure you are beaming from ear to ear the whole day.

100km

1500m

around_zhaosu3
DSC05863

 

Little Switzerland with long twisty descents right here in China.

Day 6.

Qiaoerma – Dushanzi- Urumuqi

The Queen stage of the ride. Four Seasons in one day. Ride from the sun drenched valley slowly up the highest pass on the trip. As you travel higher the landscape changes. All year round the summit is covered with snow. You are going to think you're riding the Giro in May (in August in China).

110km

1500m

dushanzi13
dushanzi12

Day 7.

Urumuqi – Beijing

Time to pack up the bikes and wave goodbye to this fabulous land. One last trip to the Bazaar for souvenirs and a lamb skewer for the final meal. Tears at the airport guaranteed.

110km

1500m

bazaar
desert

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