22 Days Yunnan-Tibet Cycling Tour from Lijiang to Lhasa
Tour Overview
If you’re angling for astonishing scenic beauty, wild mountainous adventures, riveting displays of ethnic culture and the irresistible allure of the immense outdoors, this tour is right for you....
Code of Tour: YCT0000004328
Length of Travel: 19 Day
Destinations of Tour:
Departure City: Lijiang
Price of Tour: Request
Type of Tour:
Features of Tour:
If you’re angling for astonishing scenic beauty, wild mountainous adventures, riveting displays of ethnic culture and the irresistible allure of the immense outdoors, this tour is right for you. Start in Lijiang, a fairyland blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people, this bike tour ends in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet and a holy city you could never miss. This expedition is more demanding because of the mountainous terrains of northeastern Yunnan but the stunning scenery will make up for it. Everything you expect is included in this tour: unique culture and folklore, astonishing landscapes, off-the-beaten track getaways, and a rich and abundant ethnic backdrop.
Google Map
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Lijiang Arrival
Sightseeing and Activities:Arrive in Lijiang
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After being picked you up from the train station or Lijiang Airport and check in the hotel in Lijiang Ancient Town, explore the old town by yourself.
Stay overnight in Lijiang.
Day 2 Ride to Tiger Leaping Gorge from Lijiang
Sightseeing and Activities:Tiger Leaping Gorge, the First Bend of the Yangtze River
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Set off from the ancient Town of Lijiang today, cycle to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, passing by the First Bend of the Yangtze River. In the remaining time, you could explore the 18-kilometer (11-mile) gorge on foot.
Day 3 Cycle to Shangari-La
Sightseeing and Activities:White Water Terrace, Napa Lake
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Cycle out of the gorge, visit the White Water Terrace and then continue the journey to Shangri-La over several mountains. En route, pay a visit to the Napa Lake. Fed by small streams from the snow mountains encircled, the lake shapes just like a trumpet shell. In the color of azure with snowy mountains and trees reflecting in it, the gorgeous lake is a wonderland to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Day 4 Ride to Benzilan County
Sightseeing and Activities:sightseeing on the way
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Take a 82-kilometer journey to a division spot called Benzilan. Travel along the river but not cross the bridge, otherwise you will ride to Derong of Sichuan Province.
Day 5 Continue to Feilai Temple
Sightseeing and Activities:the sunset view of Meili Snow Mountain, Feilaisi Temple
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Start from Benzilan to Deqin and then stop at the Feilai Temple by taking the Yunnan-Tibet Road, which is also known as the No.214 National Highway. The snowy scenic on the way is amazing. After getting to Feilaisi Temple, You may have the chance to catch the sunset of Meili Snow Mountain.
Day 6 Felai Temple-Yanjing
Sightseeing and Activities:Lancang River
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Set off early today, get to Yanjing of Tibet, which is located on the bank of the Lancang River. In the remaining time in Yanjing, you could visit the only Catholic Church in Tibet.
Day 7 Yanjing-Markham
Sightseeing and Activities:Sightseeing on the way
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Head to Markham which is an important transportation hub to other parts of Tibet. The journey is about 110 kilometers (68 miles) but this road always suffers collapse in rainy season, so caution is advised.
Markham is at the junction of roads to Sichuan, Yunnan and Tibet provinces. It is the first county where you can have a lodge in the hostel and appreciate a warm meal after you enter in Tibet. It is located 1 kilometer away from the National Highway 318, you can overnight in the local Weather Bureau rest house to take a bath and prepare for the Tibet part bicycle tour.
Day 8 Markham – Dengba
Sightseeing and Activities:scenery along Langcang River
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Today’s journey is cycling along the Langcang River.
For the first 12 kilometers, you will get over the Lawu Mountain Pass, and the following 33 kilometers are the downhill path, the elevation will decline by 1700 meters. Then get over Jueba mountain for about 24.5 kilometers and follow the downhill path for 13 kilometers to Dengba. As the trail along the Lancang River is extremely steep, you need to proceed with particular caution and prudence and control your brake tightly. It is really a test for your strength and will, but the visit of the pass-by Lancang Valley will be worthwhile. The Lancang Valley is the typical mountain-valley physiognomy and the exotic site will offer a comfort to your weary body.
Markham County (3875m) – Lawu Pass (4338m) – Chuka Bridge (2640m) – Jueba Pass (3930m) – Dengba Village (3440m)
Day 9 Dengba – Zuogong
Sightseeing and Activities:Zuogong
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Today, continue the uphill path road for 13 kilometers to Rongxu. The elevation will raise by 1900 meters totally. Keep cycling to get over mountains and proceed for 56.5 kilometers to reach Zuogong.
Most of this path is still dirty and dusty road. Upgrade for 24.5 kilometers to cross Dongda Mountain, and downgrade for 32 kilometers to Zuogong. Dongda Mountain is the highest pass in the whole route, where the altitude has reached 5100 meters, and the uphill path will be quite strenuous. The downhill road is gentle and you can have complete relax. Additional 10 kilometers bituminous macadam will lead you to Zuogong.
Dengba Village (3440m) – Rongxu Military Depot (4046m) – Dongda Pass (5008m) – Zuogong County (3877m)
Day 10 Zuogong – Bangda
Sightseeing and Activities:Sightseeing on the way
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Proceed for 105 kilometers to Bangda.
As the initial 63 kilometers are bituminous macadam, arrival at 3654 on the National Highway 318. And the following 42 kilometers are dusty road in poor condition with lots of uphill path. The exciting thing is that there is fiber in Bangda and you can make a call there. And cycling along with Yuqu River is enjoyable, too.
Zuogong County (3877m) – Tiantuo Town – Tiantuo Village – Asi Village – Bangda Town (4120m)
Day 11 Bangda – Basu
Sightseeing and Activities:Sightseeing on the way
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First cycle 75 kilometers from Bangda to Wadayue. Most of this part is still the dirty road.
The former 13.5 kilometers is the up slope to get over Yela Mountain, also named as Nujiang Mountain, such a trail is relatively in good condition. However the following 43 kilometers down slope path to Nujiang Bridge is indeed tough, with more than 50 sharp turnings of 180 degrees. This trail is often called “Nujiang 72 turnings” for its dangerous and zigzag path. Cover another 20 kilometers to Basu. This part of road seems good in the sunny day, but it will turn extremely terrible after rain.
Day 12 Basu – Ranwu
Sightseeing and Activities:sightseeing on the way
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Bike 60 kilometers to Zhongsha at first. It is still the dusty and dirty road and mainly composed of uphill path. Then cycle 30 kilometers dusty road extending to Ranwu town, a paradise place with mirror-like lake, jade-green pines and snow-capped mountains in the distance. The first 7.5 kilometers gentle upgrading roads lead you to the Mt. Anjiula Pass, and the following 27 kilometers downgrading will lead you to fantastic Ranwu soon. You just need to ride for another 1 kilometer to reach Ranwu lake from the Ran-Cha highway to appreciate the dream-like scenery there.
Basu County (3280m) – Anjiula Pass (4475m) – Ranwu Town (3960m)
Day 13 Ranwu – Bomi
Sightseeing and Activities:Sightseeing on the way
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Today, bid fare well to Ranwu and continue to ride for Zhongba, which is 53 kilometers away. Proceed along the tempered declivous path, and have a brief visit of Anmucuo and Palong Tsangpu River. As most of this path, you will go through the forestry area and linger in the mist and clouds between mountains. Continue to the relevantly big town Bomi for 76 kilometers. The dirt road stretches for 36 kilometers until Songzong and the following 40 kilometers is the bituminous macadam as gentle down slope. Plenty of Glaciers will catch your eyes on the way.
Ranwu Town (3960m) – Midui Glacier – Zhongba Village (3330m) – Bomi County (2725m)
Day 14 Bomi – Tongmai
Sightseeing and Activities:Sightseeing on the way
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Today is an arduous cycling day leading you to Tongmai, covering about 90 kilometers. 40 kilometers declivous path guides you to Guxiang bituminous macadam and the following 50 kilometers path will not cost you lots of strength and energy. However, it comes to be atrocious when you close to Tongmai.
Bomi County (2725m) – Guxiang – 102 landslide area – Tongmai Town (2070m)
Day 15 Tongmai – Lulang
Sightseeing and Activities:Lulang
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Go cross Dongjiu for the first 37 kilometers and continue to Lulang Town for 37 kilometers more.
When you reach Pailong, 17 kilometers from Tongmai, you will see the wreckage of Yigonghe River flood collapse, and the present path is new- repaired. The slope is still barrier and bold and you can see the trace after flood. The trail from Tongmai to Pailong is in well condition. Then continue for 37 kilometers after the forest ecological system orientation and the pass-by sight just looks like tropical rain forest. Try the delicious food of Lulang Chicken Soup cooked by stone pot.
Tongmai Town (2070m) – Laohu Zui – Pailong country – Layue Village (2372m) – Dongjiu country (2560m) – Lulang Town (3370m)
Day 16 Lulang – Bayi
Sightseeing and Activities:Bayi
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It will be a fatigued but rewarding day for 72.5 kilometers and arrive in Bayi.
You will get over Sejila Mountain for 23.5 kilometers. Sightseeing Terrace for the sea of Lulang forests is 19km away from Lulang Town. The National Highway 110 gently upgrades and you need to push you bicycle to surmount Sejila Mountain. The latter 30 kilometers path to Nyingtri is steep and in poor condition. There are approximately 19 kilometers from Nyingtri to Bayi, and as it is the even bituminous macadam. The Niyangqu and poplars dotted in emerald green constitute picturesque scenery. The Huge Cypress Park is situated near Bayi roadside. You can find a hostel to have a rest and take a shower easily in Bayi Town.
Lulang Town (3370m) – Sejila Pass (4559m) – Nyingchi Town (3010m) – Bayi Town (2930m)
Day 17 Bayi – Gongbo’gyamda
Sightseeing and Activities:Gongbo’gyamda
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You will enjoy the ease to ride on the bituminous macadam. The verdant mountains and green waters will feast you eyes all along the way and you will cover 127 kilometers arrival in Gongbo’gyamda without awareness.
Bayi Town (2930m) – Gengzhang Town – Baiba Town – Gongbo’gyamda County (3440m)
Day 18 Gongbo’gyamda – Songduo
Sightseeing and Activities:Songduo
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Continue to ride on the bituminous macadam for 96 kilometers to Songduo and mainly composed of uphill path. Songduo is the only small town with room and board between Gongbu pass and Mila Pass.
Gongbo’gyamda County (3440m) – Jinda Town – Jiaxing country – Songduo country (4288m).
Day 19 Songduo – Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities:Sightseeing on the way
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Ride from Songduo to Mozhugongka for 110 kilometers.
The first 20 kilometers is the tempered uphill bituminous macadam, but you need to push your bicycle to the second highest pass, Mila Pass (5030m), along Sichuan – Tibet Highway. Then continue for 27 kilometers to Riduo on the bituminous macadam and head for Mozhugongka for another 56 kilometers. The head to your final destination – Lhasa. The last period is approximately 68 kilometers bituminous macadam. You will see the lofty Potala Palace in distance, as you enter in the Lhasa Forestry checkpoint. The challenging tour ends here and you might feel as comfortable as home at that moment.
Songduo country (4288m) – Mila Pass (5013m) – Riduo country (4370m) –Mozhugongka County (3830m) – Datse County (3440m) – Lhasa City (3650m)
Day 20 Lhasa sightseeing
Sightseeing and Activities:Potala Palace, Johkang Temple, and Barkhor Street
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Today’s tour will first bring you to the Potala Palace which is the winter palace of the Dalai lama. It was put to use since the 7th Century by the 33rd great king of Tibet. The most valuable collections of Potala Palace are the gilded burial stupas of former Dalai Lamas and meditation Cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet.
Then after lunch, tourists head to Jokhang temple which was founded by the 33rd great king of Tibet in the 7th century. Inside you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve. Outside, you can see pilgrims making prostrating in front of Jokhang Temple. Around the temple is Barkhor street, where you can do kora (a religious circle of a building or mountain) with pilgrims and locals, and explore the old market.
Besides, We can taste Tibetan tea with locals in tea house; The welcome dinner will also be arranged accordingly;
Optional:
With time permitting, you may go with tour guide to visit Tibetan handicraft art or Tibetan Traditional Medicine center. You can upgrade your service to enjoy Tibetan Culture Show in the evening (fr. 60USD)
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 21 Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities:Drepung and Sera Monastery
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In the morning ,you are going to visit Drepung monastery which is one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet, founded in 1416 by Jamyang choge, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. You can visit biggest monastery kitchen inside the monastery and enjoy Buddhist Sculpture Carving workshop near Drepung.
In the Afternoon, Tourists will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “great three” Gelug monasteries of Tibet. The hot attraction is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon. In addition, you can tour the Tibetan religious scripture printing house; inside the monastery, you can see three sand Mandalas and colorful Rock Painting of Buddha.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
Day 22 Departure from Lhasa
Sightseeing and Activities:Departure from Lhasa
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The guide will transfer you to the airport or train station and help you get on board.
Recommended Hotels
| City | 5 Star | 4 Star | 3 Star |
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Quotations
| Group size(person) | 5 Star ($) | 4 Star ($) | 3 Star ($) |
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Service Included:
1. Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
2. Meals as listed in the itinerary;
3.Accommodation with breakfast as listed in the itinerary;
4.Private English-speaking tour guide and vehicle for transfers & sightseeing;
5.Service charge & government taxes;
6. Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
7. Two bottles of mineral water each day.
Service Excluded:
1. Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
2. Chinese visa fees;
3.Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
4.Single room supplement;
5.Tips to guides and drivers;
6.Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
7.Personal travel insurance;
8.All optional programs;
9.Domestic air tickets fares with airport tax and fuel extra fee based on economy class mentioned in the program.
