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ABOUT THIS CYCLE TOUR
Ride from the highlands of Kunming to the Vietnam border on an unforgettable 8-day cycling adventure through southern Yunnan. Beginning beside peaceful Fuxian Lake, this supported journey follows quiet country roads through historic Jianshui, rural villages, wetlands and the dramatic Honghe River valley.
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Along the way, cycle among Hani and Yi communities, explore the ancient caravan town of Yisa, and experience the remarkable Yuanyang Rice Terraces—where your hillside guesthouse looks out over vast layers of paddies and sunrise clouds. Finish with a spectacular descent through subtropical mountain scenery and the Nanxi River canyon to Hekou, opposite Lao Cai, Vietnam. With a local cycling guide, support vehicle, mechanic, accommodation and most meals included, it is an immersive ride through one of China’s most culturally rich and scenic regions.
Itinerary
Your journey begins at Kunming airport, where the team meets you for a one-hour transfer to the shores of Fuxian Lake near Yuxi. After checking into your hotel, take time to unwind or stroll along the waterfront. In the evening, the group gathers for a briefing on the upcoming ride and shares the first dinner together at a local restaurant. Overnight: Yinxin Holiday Hotel | Meals: Dinner
After breakfast and a quick bike fit, pedal along the quiet, flat roads tracing Fuxian Lake's edge. The route leads to Jiangchuan County for a celebrated lunch at Family Li courtyard restaurant. In the afternoon, bikes are loaded into the support vehicle for a short drive to Jianshui, where you can wander the historic old town on foot after settling into your guesthouse. Overnight: Jianshui Wangshu Guesthouse | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Cycling: 65 km
The morning ride follows rural lanes alongside a century-old narrow-gauge railway, weaving through traditional villages and rice fields. From Tuanshan, a gentle climb brings you to Baxin Town and the Yilong Lake area. After lunch, enjoy a car-free cycling path skirting the wetlands, with an optional full lap of the lake if time permits. Your stay is in a guesthouse close to Yilong Wetland Park. Overnight: Cloud Pillow Guesthouse | Meals: B, L, D | Cycling: 50–70 km
Set out early through open fields and tobacco plantations before the road begins its steady ascent to Aoya Pass, flanked by forest and scattered Hani settlements. Beyond the summit comes a long, rewarding descent that eases into milder mountain roads leading to Yisa, an old horse-caravan hub in Honghe County. After the ride, explore its century-old fortified mansions built by overseas Chinese merchants. Overnight: Honghe Yunti Hotel | Meals: B, L, D | Cycling: 75 km
Depart at dawn and drop through the Honghe River valley, passing tropical orchards and Yi and Hani villages on winding mountain roads. At Nansha Town, bikes are transferred up to the Yuanyang Rice Terraces entrance. From there, cycle the final 15 km to your hillside guesthouse, whose terrace frames sweeping views over the terraced paddies—ideal for sunrise and "sea of clouds" moments. Overnight: Natuae Guesthouse | Meals: B, L, D | Cycling: 65 km
Today's ride starts with a scenic 38 km descent through terraced slopes, with plenty of chances to pause for photos. The landscape shifts to subtropical gorges as you follow the Honghe River for another 45 km to Qingcaoba. Bikes are then loaded for a short transfer to Yuping Town in Pingbian, a Miao Autonomous County where Miao, Yi, Han and Yao communities share a historic section of the Southern Silk Road caravan route toward Vietnam. Overnight: Pingbian Yun Hotel | Meals: B, L, D | Cycling: 80 km
The final riding day covers over 100 km, mostly downhill, from highland cool to the tropical lowlands of Hekou. After a gentle start, you cross a single pass (1,540 m) before an extended descent alongside the Nanxi River canyon. As elevation drops, temperatures rise and vegetation turns lush and subtropical. Near Hekou, the muddy Honghe River meets the clear Nanxi, with Lao Cai, Vietnam visible across the water. The evening ends with a farewell dinner in China. Overnight: Hekou Guomen Hotel | Meals: B, L, D | Cycling: 100 km
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before a private transfer takes the group to the customs checkpoint. Here you say goodbye to the China support crew and continue your onward journey. Meals: Breakfast
Inclusive of:
- All meals as listed
- Arrival/Departure transfers
- Cycling guide(s)
- Support van(s) and driver/mechanic
- Hybrid bikes
- Water, snacks, fruit on cycling days
Exclusive of:
- Flight
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tips and gratuities
Perched above the famous terraced fields, the guesthouse’s terrace frames sweeping views over layer upon layer of rice paddies, making it one of the most scenic places to watch sunrise and the “sea of clouds” in Yunnan. After days of cycling through lakes, old towns and mountain valleys, this night offers a moment to simply pause and take in one of China’s most iconic landscapes right from your accommodation. It’s the perfect setting for memorable photos, quiet reflection, and a deeper sense of connection to the Hani and Yi communities who have shaped these terraces over generations.
