World Expeditions organizes a 16-day tour, beginning in the southern city of Guangzhou and ending in Beijing. This adventurous journey begins on back routes that open up into rural China, and travellers will take in farmers working in their rice fields, as well as traditional mud brick huts. The tour then crosses over to Guangxi Province. Here, travellers can see Yao minority villages that line the road to the limestone landscape of Yangshuo, located on the banks of the Li River. On route towards Beijing, the cycle continues with a stop at Xian to experience the renowned Terracotta Warriors, followed by a train ride to Beijing. After arriving in the city, the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City are a cultural end to an exhilarating trip.
Offering trips to the Yunnan region, Spice Tours organizes an eight-day cycling route that takes in the diverse landscapes and ethnic minorities of this area of China. Travellers choosing this route will experience the natural beauty of the rivers, lakes and valleys of the region, and will have the chance to learn more about the compelling history of the ancient sites that make up the Yunnan. Complete with traditional heritage houses, colorfully dressed local people, and the distant landscape of snow capped mountains, the trip will take travellers past terraced rice fields and lush green forests.
Take a 10-day tour of southwestern China to visit the Guangxi Province. This tour, organized by Bike China, is designed as a more easy-going tour for people with little or no cycling experience. Beginning in Guilin, cyclists will set off with a backdrop of limestone hill formations receding in the distance. Travellers will be able to stop and explore ancient caves used during the Japanese invasion of the last century, when locals sought places to hide. Heading north to Longsheng, the tour will continue through rice terraces and hot spring regions, until cyclists reach the area of Sanjiang where the minority group the Dong people live in traditional houses. Following the scenic road to Rong’an, cyclists can view an ancient island town before continuing onwards by vehicle to Yangshou to explore more remote regions. Cultural sights including Moon Hill, Confucian and Buddhist temples offer the final cultural experience of the tour before it makes its way back to Guilin.
Cycle China organizes more relaxed and easy bike tours that take in part of the vast inner Mongolian grasslands of Huitengxile. Travellers will arrive by overnight train from Beijing and enjoy a leisurely two-day bike ride. This short two-day tour is interspersed with additional cultural treats, such as a stay in a traditional nomadic yurt and horseback riding. This tour is arranged primarily for those travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences as opposed to a challenging bike tour, but it nonetheless presents an unusual side of China that should be explored.
