For cyclists, the most ideal way to spend holidays is to go somewhere with just their bikes and themselves. Want a low-carbon way to explore China's picturesque beauty? Let China.org.cn guide you through the top 10 cycling routes that you won't want to miss.
Xining, Qinghai -- Lhasa, Tibet (西宁--拉萨)  Distance: 1,900km Duration: 20 --30 days Expenses: 3,000 --5,000 yuan Best time for cycling: July --August As the capital of Qinghai Province, Xining is the largest city on the Tibetan Plateau. Being a home of Zhuang, Hui, Qiang, Tibetan, Uygur and other 28 ethnic minorities, the city combines various ethnic cultures and different religions. Lhasa, located in the center of Tibet, is labeled as one of the most dreamed-about destinations around the world. The cycling route from Xining to Lhasa is the most popular one for bicycle lovers entering Tibet. The blue sky, boundless desert, green meadows, sapphire lakes, winding roads, herds of cows and flocks of sheep, and snow-wrapped mountains present travelers the true beauty of the nature and bring the true peace of mind. Click to view map Chengdu, Sichuan --Shangri-La, Yunnan --Chengdu, Sichuan  Distance: 1,500km Duration: 20 --30 days Expenses: 4,000 --6,000 yuan Best time for cycling: May, September --October Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is one of the best-known cities in China for its pleasant climate, natural scenery and spicy cuisine. Shangri-La, an ethnic-Tibetan town in northwest Yunnan Province, is considered a hidden paradise of spectacular landscapes and ethnic culture. Of the routes on our list, this route has the most stunning scenery. Attractions along the route include the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, Molto Holy Mountains, Daocheng Yading, Shangri-La, Lijiang Old Town, Lugu Lake, Tiger Leaping Gorge and the Ya'an Giant Panda Base. Click to view map Shanghai --Urumqi, Xinjiang (上海--乌鲁木齐)  Cycling routes: Shanghai →Wuxi (Jiangsu) →Nanjing →Hefei (Anhui) →Xinyang (Henan) →Nanyang →Xi'an (Shaanxi) →Pingliang (Gansu) →Lanzhou →Wuwei →Jiuquan →Jiayuguan City →Liuyuan Town →Xingxingxia Town (Xinjiang) →Luotuo Quanzi Town →Kumul →Turpan →Urumqi Distance: 3,900km Duration: 40 --55 days Expenses: 8,000 --12,000 yuan Best time for cycling: May --June, October --November Sitting at the mouth of the Yangtze River, Shanghai is the economic, financial, trade and shipping heart of China, and one of the most prosperous cities and the busiest container port in the world. Urumqi, located in the center of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, boasts abundant natural resources and unique customs and culture. From Shanghai to Urumqi, from southeast to northwest, from water towns to deserts, the cycling route passing through Shanghai and other six provinces allows the cyclists to experience the contrast of natural and human environments. Click to view map Around Hainan Island, Hainan (海南环岛)  Distance: 650km Duration: 8 --10 days Expenses: 1,200 --2,000 yuan Best time for cycling: November --May Hainan Island is situated in the South China Sea, separated from Guangdong's Leizhou Peninsula to the north by the Qiongzhou Strait. Featuring blue sky, beautiful beaches, tall coconut trees, an interesting monkey island, clear water and a tropical climate, the island is an ideal place to enjoy the sun and the sea. When other places around the country are shivering in winter, a leisurely cycling trip along the coast taking in the fresh air will provide you with a warm, relaxed and comfortable holiday. Click to view map Beijing --Hangzhou, Zhejiang (北京--杭州)  Distance: 1,780km Duration: 20 --25 days Expenses: 3,000 --5,000 yuan Best time for cycling: April --October The Grand Canal of China is one of the longest and most ancient artificial rivers in the world. Starting from Beijing, it passes through Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the city of Hangzhou. First built in the 5th century BC, the canal has a long history of more than 2,500 years. Cycling along the canal from north to south, visitors can enjoy the various attractions in different cities, and explore the cultural heritage of ancient China. Click to view map Around Qinghai Lake, Qinghai (环青海湖)  Distance: 360km Duration: 4 --7 days Expenses: 2,000 --3,000 yuan Best time for cycling: July --August Covering an area of 4,583 square kilometers, Qinghai Lake is the largest inland lake and the largest salt-water lake in China. Lying on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the lake is known for its fascinating changing colors, depending on the angle, time of day, and season it is viewed from. Since 2002, the Qinghai Lake International Road Cycling Race has been held every July in Qinghai. The race has become one of the top international road cycling races in the world. Click to view the map Lanzhou, Gansu --Dunhuang, Gansu (兰州--敦煌)  Distance: 1,100km Duration: 12 --15 days Expenses: 800 --1,500 yuan Best time for cycling: September --October Lanzhou is the capital and largest city of Gansu Province. With mountains in the north and south and Yellow River stretching from west to east, the city is known as a key transportation hub and an oasis in northwest China. Dunhuang is situated in the northwest part of Gansu, and features natural landmarks such as Crescent Lake and Mingsha Mountain, and ancient caves and the sculpture-like Mogao Grottoes. Along this cycling route, numerous culture relics, including the Jiayu Pass of the Great Wall, Dafo Temple in Zhangye, Luoshi Pagoda in Wuwei, and the Mogao Grottoes, can provide you a visual feast and impressive culture experience. Click to view the map Beijing -- Mohe, Heilongjiang (北京--漠河)  Cycling routes: Beijing →Miyun County →Luanping County (Hebei) →Longhua County →Weichang Manchu and Mongol Autonomous County →Chifeng City (Inner Mongolia) →Tongliao →Ulan Hot →Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner →Nenjiang County (Heilongjiang) →Heihe City →Tahe County →Mohe Distance: 2,800km Duration: 22 --30 days Expenses: 4,000 --6,000 yuan Best time for cycling: June --July With a history of more than 3,000 years, Beijing is the center of politics, culture, art and international exchange in China; it also features numerous cultural relics and natural scenery. As the northmost point of the country, Mohe is known as "China's Arctic Village" and the "place that never sleeps". Every year around the summer solstice, it is the best place to watch the Northern Lights and White Nights. During the cycling trip from Beijing to Mohe, visitors can enjoy the changing scenery from prosperous metropolis to boundless grasslands and then dense forest. Click to view the map Kashgar, Xinjiang --Lhasa, Tibet (喀什--拉萨)  Cycling routes: Kashgar City (Xinjiang) →Kargilik County →Pusa Village →Yigeziyeer County →Kangxiwar →Tianshuihai →Jipu Village (Tibet) →Rutog County →Gar County →Zhongba County →Saga County →Lhatse County →Shigatse →Lhasa Distance: 2,850km Duration: 30 --40 days Expenses: 3,000 --5,000 yuan Best time for cycling: July --August Kashgar, an oasis city in the western part of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, is the administrative center of Kashgar Prefecture. With Taklamakan Desert in the east, and the Kunlun Mountains and Pamir Mountains in the south and west, the city is located in the western extremity of the country, near the border with Tajikistan. Lhasa, the capital of Tibetan Autonomous Region, is the political, cultural, economic and religious center of the region. The cycling journey from Kashgar to Lhasa is considered a tough, difficult experience which tests stamina and willpower but provides unique and fantastic scenery at the same time. Click to view the map Urumqi, Xinjiang --Dunhuang, Gansu (乌鲁木齐--敦煌)  Cycling routes: Urumqi (Xinjiang) →Dabancheng District →Turpan →Shanshan County →Yiwanquan Village →Kumul →Luotuo Quanzi Town →Xingxingxia Town (Gansu) →Xihu County →Dunhuang Distance: 990km Duration: 10 --15 days Expenses: 1,500 --3,000 yuan Best time for cycling: August --October As the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi is the political, economic and cultural center of the whole region. Dunhuang, located in northwestern Gansu Province, was a major stop on the ancient Silk Road, and is well-known for its Mogao Grottoes. Cycling from Urumqi to Dunhuang, travelers can explore a variety of scenery: snow covered mountains, forests, meadows and deserts, and experience the ethnic customs and culture of Uygur, Yugu, Kazak, Mongolian and other ethnic minority people. |
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