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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 check 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 Tibetan village. Night at Markang.
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| 4 |
Awesome scenery on the way to Danba. We stay at the lovely Tibetan village, Jiaju. |
| 5 |
We follow the Yak river gorge towards the Tagong grasslands and Mt. Yala to Xinduqiao. (3460m) |
| 6 |
The world's highest city Litang (4020m) and Choede gompa are on our menu 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 spent 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 |
Diverse scenery and villages line our way to Derong.
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| 11 |
Soon after leaving Derong we enter Yunnan province. We follow Jinsha river before we start our ascent towards Shangri-La County and Zhongdian (3200m).
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| 12 |
A backroad brings us to Bashutai winter terraces before 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, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site for its marvellous Old City and the culture of the Naxi people. |
| 14 |
An up and down ride brings us up to 2700m and Lugu-Lake. |
| 15 |
A day to relax at the lake and get in touch with the Mosu minority people.
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| 16 |
At the western end of the lake we reach Sichuan province again. At 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 valleys and passes before reaching Shimian.
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| 18 |
We reach one of the China's tea centers, Yaan.
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| 19 |
On our last day's ride we stop at the old Chinese city of Shangli before reaching 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 too much traffic and average 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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