Embark on the definitive Yunnan cycling adventure—a multi-day pilgrimage that takes you from the temperate, Bai ethnic culture of Dali to the spiritual, Tibetan Buddhist gates of Shangri-La. This is a challenging and profoundly rewarding tour that combines physical exertion with immense cultural and visual riches.
Your journey will include:
Lakeside Beginnings: Start with a tranquil ride around the perimeter of Erhai Lake, with the Cangshan Mountain Range providing a dramatic backdrop and the ancient Dali Old Town offering a cultural prelude.
Through the Tiger Leaping Gorge: Cycle (or hike a section) of one of the world’s deepest gorges, where the Yangtze River thunders between jade-colored cliffs, showcasing nature’s raw power.
The High-Plateau Climax: Ascend steadily onto the Shangri-La plateau, where the air grows crisp, the landscape opens into vast meadows dotted with yaks, and the distinctive Tibetan architecture appears.
A Cultural Ascent: Experience a remarkable cultural shift from the Bai people’s elegant courtyards to the Tibetan monasteries, prayer flags, and the sacred, tranquil ambiance of Shangri-La’s Old Town and the majestic Songzanlin Monastery.
This tour is more than a ride; it’s a vertical journey through climate zones and centuries of history, culminating in the breathtaking and spiritual heart of the Himalayas. It is a true test of a cyclist’s spirit, rewarded with some of the most iconic views in all of China.
