Biking to Pandas and Buddhas

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrive Chengdu

   Meet in Chengdu for a trip briefing and bike fitting. Chengdu has the reputation as a very "laid-back" city that emphasizes culture and relaxation and is a great introduction to this fascinating country.

   In the evening, have dinner with the group and get a chance to try the traditional Sichuan hot pot, a popular spicy dish.
   

   • Sichuan Civil Aviation Hotel
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Meet the Pandas

   First a transfer to the new Dujiangyan Panda Valley, where you'll spend a few hours meeting the lovable pandas. The bikes will be waiting for a ride when you finish your visit. Cycle 20km (12mi) from the valley to Jiezi Old Town, then push on towards Anren Ancient Town. The terrain is primarily flat and will be easy riding with spectacular scenery.

   Upon reaching Anren in the afternoon, you will cycle into the historic town which is famed for having 27 mansions built during the period of the Republic of China.
   

   
   

   • 42.9 miles
   • 118.1 ft
     925.2 ft
     807.1 ft
   • De Men Ren Li Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

3. Day 3It''s all about Tea

   Today you'll head for the hills as the tour begins its climb up into tea country. There will be a stop at White Horse Spring which got it's peculiar name from the clops that can be heard from the ebbs and flow of the water. From their it's a short downhill ride to Shangli Ancient Town, famous for their noodles which you'll be having for lunch.

   After a sumptuous meal you'll transfer to the most famous tea garden in China, the Mengdingshan Royal Tea Gardens. It is home to the world's oldest living tea trees and where China's finest green tea was grown to serve royalty. To reach the gardens, you will be taking a gondola to the top. Spend an hour walking on the trails and take in the great views.

   You will be transferred to your hotel in Ya'an afterwards.
   

   
   

   
   

   • 34.8 miles
   • 1,961.9 ft
     3,759.8 ft
     1,797.9 ft
   • Howdy Smart Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Howdy Smart Hotel

     Rest easy after a day of cycling and walking at this modern property

   • 

     Howdy Smart Hotel

     Rest easy after a day of cycling and walking at this modern property

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     Elevation Profile

4. Day 4Mengding to Mt Emei

   Today starts easily as you take a short transfer to the start of your ride. Head south and cycle through rollings hills and farmland towards the village of Caoyuthan. Here you'll cross a river and continue riding along a riverside road. After lunch, you will ride through the backside of Mt. Emei, the highest of four sacred Buddhist mountains in China. Then at around 70 km (43mi) the climbing starts and the group will hop into the van to reach the hotel in the village of Linggongli.
   

   • 42.3 miles
   • -2,204.7 ft
     3,021.7 ft
     5,226.4 ft
   • Yangxinzhai Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

5. Day 5Explore Mt. Emei

   Today starts early to explore Mt. Emei. After a 40 minute bus ride, the group takes a cable car to the top of the mountain where many temples and shrines await. You'll then be able to spend an hour at the summit touring the many temples and shrines scattered around.
   

   In the afternoon the cycling continues as you go towards Leshan which is found at the confluence of the Dadu and Min Rivers. If time allows, there will be a short boat ride to see the world's largest seated Buddha, a 71 meter (233 ft) tall stone statue, built during the Tang Dynasty, carved out of a cliff face. The night will be spent in Leshan.
   

   • 23 miles
   • -400.3 ft
     597.1 ft
     997.4 ft
   • Chopines Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

6. Day 6Leshan – Huanglongxi

   Today is a ride up north following the Min River for the entire day. On the first stop you'll go for a walk through a secluded network of paths in a peaceful bamboo mountain forest. Lunch for today will be at a local riverside restaurant.

   Upon reaching the town of Meishan, the group will decide if they cycling will continue along the river or transfer by van to the day's final destination of Huanglongxi.  This quaint town with classic Chinese architecture is where many famous Chinese movies have been filmed. The village sees a lot of day visitors, but few people spend the night here and you'll have the ancient alleys for yourself to explore. As it's the last night of the tour, there will be a farewell dinner for the group.
   

   • 46.6 miles
   • 150.9 ft
     1,578.1 ft
     1,427.2 ft
   • Caston Huanglong Hotel
   • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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     Elevation Profile

7. Day 7Departure

   You'll be transferred directly to the airport in time for your departure flight. Or, in case you are extending your stay in Chengdu, you can be dropped off at a city hotel.

   • Breakfast