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| If you’re angling for astonishing scenic beauty, wild mountainous treks, riveting displays of ethnic culture and the irresistible allure of the immense outdoors, China’s Southwest is a fascinating and rewarding destination. Everything you expect a China trip to be is here: there’s history, mouth- watering cuisine, astonishing landscapes, off-the-beaten track getaways, modern cityscapes and a rich and abundant ethnic backdrop. It is richly peopled by ethnic tribes who bring a unique dimension to China travel. |
| DAY |
SHANGRI-LA TOUR ::: Southwest China |
| 1 |
Arrival in Chengdu and health ceck to get our drivers licence.
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| 2 |
We leave Chengdu and head towards the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.
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| 3 |
On our way we make our first stop at an old chinese settlement and later on we visit our fist tibetian village. Night at Markang.
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| 4 |
Awsome scenery on the way to Danba. We stay at the lovely tibetian village Jiaju. |
| 5 |
We follow the Yak river gorge towards the Tagong grasslands and Mr. Yala to Xinduqiao. (3460m) |
| 6 |
The worlds highest city Litang (4020m) and Choede gompa are on our menue today. |
| 7 |
We have to climb the 4700m Tuer pass to reach Sichuans "Shangri-La" and the Yading nature reserve.
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| 8 |
A day at the Yading park and its breathtaking scenery and some hours walking or on horseback instead of riding bikes...
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| 9 |
Via Daocheng and the NoName mountain to Xiangcheng.
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| 10 |
Diversified scenery and villages border our way to Derong.
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| 11 |
Soon after leaving Derong we enter Yunnan province. We follow Jinsha river bevor we start our ascend towards Shangri-La County and to Zhongdian (3200m) .
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| 12 |
A backroad brings us to Bashutai sinter terraces bevor we reach Jangtse Kiang river. We cross the tiger Leaping Gorge before we reach Lijiang.
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| 13 |
A day in and around Lijiang, UNESCO World Cultural Heritage for its marvellos Old City and the Naxi peoples culture. |
| 14 |
An up and down ride brings us up to 2700m and to Lugu-Lake. |
| 15 |
A day to relax around the lake and to get in touch with the Mosu minority people here.
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| 16 |
At the western end of the lake we reach Sichuan province again. The night we stay at Xichang, center of the Yi minority.
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| 17 |
At the edge of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau we still have to conquer a few valley´s and passes before reaching Shimian.
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| 18 |
We reach one of the Chinese tea centers,Yaan.
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| 19 |
On our last days ride we stop at the old chinese city of Shangli before we reach Chengdu. |
| 20 |
Leaving Chengdu today |
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AT A GLANCE
Touring China´s wonderland´s in the South-east!
DATES: April, October
START / FINISH: Chengdu / Chengdu
DURATION: 21 day vacation, 17 riding days
ROUTE: Distance covered around 1250 miles / 2000 km
Day rides 50 - 175 miles / 110 - 280 km.
ROADS: Mainly Tarmac with rare stretches of gravel or dirt
ACCOMMODATION: Comfortable middle-class Hotels, guesthouses
REST DAYS: Lijiang, Lugu Lake
RIDERS REQUIREMENTS: Not to much traffic and medium good roads.
GROUP SIZE: Min. 4 and max. 10 riders - space for pillion rider in our follow up car
WHAT´S INCLUDED: All meals, all non-alcoholic beverages, all entry fees, petrol for the bikes, permits
HIGHLIGHTS: Panda´s, Himalaya, Minority people, Lijiang, Lugu Lake, Yading Nature Reserve, Monasteries, "Tiger Leaping Gorge", |
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