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Route Rating Level 2 to Level 5

PDF iconDetailed Itinerary

RESERVE THIS TRIP!

Premiere Inns
  • From $5,798
    To $6,098 pp dbl. occ.
  • (+$1,160 for sgl. occ.)
  • Internal Flights: From $460
    To $510

Reserve early for the best available price. More Info

TRIP NOTES

All meals included except 1 dinner.

Cancellation Policy

View cancellation policy

Meet / Depart

Hong Kong, China/Beijing, China

Special Interest

Cruise, Culture & History, Exotic Adventure, Geological Wonders, Mountain Bike, Natural Beauty &/or Wildlife, Swim

Recommended Reads

Essential trip reading

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Contact Us

Call: 800-462-2848
or 510-527-1555
Fax: 510-527-1444
E-mail us

801 Cedar St.
Berkeley, CA 94710

Business Hours:
7 days a week
from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Pacific Time

Or contact your travel agent

China Biking Tour

China Biking

Beijing, Xian & the South

The history, culture and scenic riches of China have long intrigued the Western world, enticing travelers with its grand monuments, serene countryside and centuries-old traditions. On this biking adventure, you’ll see many different faces of this vast and fascinating country that most travelers to China would rarely see. Our decades-long relationships and unrivaled ability for finding authentic experiences uncover China’s complex diversity. A visit to southern China reveals a compelling - and often contradictory - tableau as you ride past the rice paddies, pagodas, and bustling villages and cities that exist in the midst of dynamic modern development. Then head to regal and contemporary Xian and marvel at the 2,000-year-old terra-cotta warriors. And, in newly cosmopolitan Beijing, explore the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

View other trips in Asia & the Pacific

Day 1 guangzhou

Meet in Hong Kong Travel by train to Guangzhou (Canton) Gather for a private tea ceremony.

Day 2 zhaoqing

Ferry across the West River on authentic sampans Bike to the ancient yet bustling city of Zhaoqing Experience the allure of rural China as you spin past expansive fields of rice and sugarcane.

Day 3 deqing

Pedal on peaceful country lanes, passing small farming hamlets and vibrant new towns.

Day 4 wuzhou

Follow the course of the great West River, through new towns and remote villages, for a memorable day of biking Enter bustling Wuzhou.

Days 5-6 yangshuo

Travel to Yangshuo through a landscape of green hills and lush rice fields Pedal past lakes, towering karst formations (limestone pinnacles) and traditional villages Immerse yourself in the stunning scenery on a private boat cruise on the Li River Visit the night markets to people-watch and hunt for beautiful crafts.

Days 7-8 xian

Fly to Xian and bike along the old city walls Take a walking tour of the city’s small Muslim quarter Ride over rolling hills and tour the awe-inspiring World Heritage site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum, home to more than 6,000 life-sized terra-cotta warriors Be invited in the rural home of a local farming family for a taste of daily life.

Days 9-11 beijing

Fly to Beijing Pedal through the city on Chinese-style bikes Explore sprawling Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City Indulge in Peking duck and other Chinese specialties Spend the day hiking a remote section of the Great Wall.

Guest Trip Reviews

We had a wonderful time in China and thoroughly enjoyed the Backroads experience. The mix of active biking and hiking combined with cultural activities, such as a visit to Terra Cotta warriors, Forbidden City, Tai Chi lesson, a visit to a Chinese calligrapher, Chinese massage, acrobatics show, etc. enabled us to have a rich and memorable experience.
Eva Madras - Toronto, ON

More Reviews of this Trip

All Guest Reviews

For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the China tour experts. For biking tours in Asia & the Pacific, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Asia & the Pacific biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Asia & the Pacific multisport tours click here.

China Biking

TOWN & COUNTRY COMFORT: Premiere Inns*

White Swan Hotel

Guangzhou (1 night): Surrounded by banyan gardens on the edge of historic Shamian Island, this modern hotel offers a swimming pool, hot tub, tennis courts and views of the city and Pearl River.

Dynasty Hotel

Zhaoqing (1 night): Simple spacious guest rooms and modern amenities make this casual hotel a comfortable place to stay.

* With 1 Casual Inn night

Cui Ran Ju Hotel

Deqing (1 night):

This newly renovated hotel, though casual, is currently the most charming and comfortable lodging that quiet Deqing has to offer.

* With 1 Casual Inn night

Wuzhou Riverside International Hotel

Wuzhou (1 night): A casual hotel centrally located in lively Wuzhou, close to restaurants, shops and other attractions.

* With 1 Casual Inn night

Paradise Yangshuo Resort

Yangshuo (2 nights): A small comfortable hotel in the center of town with a beautiful swimming pool and great shopping nearby.

Hyatt Regency Xian

Xian (2 nights): A sleek modern hotel ideally situated within the ancient walls of historic Xian.

Peninsula Beijing

Beijing (2 nights): The choice of foreign dignitaries, this luxurious five-star hotel has scores of amenities and a great location in central Beijing.

China Biking China Biking

Peninsula Beijing

China Biking

Route Rating

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1
  • Train ride from Hong Kong to Guangzhou 2 hours
Day 2
  • Level 2 1 Route Option Available
  • Biking 27 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
  • Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 33, 56 miles
  • 0 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
  • Levels 2 to 5 2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 30, 58 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
  • Level 1  2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 14, 18 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
  • Bus ride to Yangshou 7 hours
Day 6
  • Levels 2 to 3 2 Route Options Available
  • Biking 26, 30 miles
  • 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 7
  • Walking Tour of Muslim Quarter 2 hours
Day 8
  • Level 1  1 Route Option Available
  • Biking 6.2 miles
  • 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 9
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • 5 miles
  • Travel to Beijing
Day 10
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Walking 3 miles
  • 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 11
  • Level 1 1 Route Option Available
  • Biking 2 hours
China Biking China Biking

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level Average Time Average Distance
    Biking Walking
& Hiking
1 2-3
hours
10-20
miles
2-5
miles
2 2-4
hours
21-30
miles
5-7
miles
3 3-5
hours
31-40
miles
7-9
miles
4 4-6
hours
41-55
miles
9-11
miles
5 5-7+
hours
56-75+
miles
11-13+
miles