CCE
Cyclists for Cultural Exchange
Yunnan, China
2020
The stunningly beautiful landscape of Yunnan province in southwestern China encompasses snow-capped mountains, rice terraces, lakes and deep gorges. The region is known for its large number of ethnic minorities.
Yunnan, China, 2020
Sorry, this program had to be cancelled due to the corona virus situation.
Dates: Might take place later (14 days)
Cost: US$1,000
Bike rental: US$80
Lodging: Indoor hotel/motel/hostel
Contact: CJ Wang <cjwusa@gmail.com>
Start: Kunming, YunNan
Finish: LiJiang, YunNan
Total riding distance: 457 km
Climate: 10-20ºC
Elevation: 1800-2900 m
Yunnan in brief
Yunnan (meaning "Beautiful Clouds in the South") Province is the most southwest region of China bordering the countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Burma. Yunnan Province borders Guizhou Province and Guangxi Zhang Autonomous Region to the east, Chongqing and Sichuan to the north, and Tibet Autonomous Region to the northwest. Yunnan encompasses 394,000 square kilometers (152,084 square miles) and has a population of more than 42 million people, of which the 25 ethnic nationalities make up over 14 million. Of all the ethnic groups, the Yi with a population of 4.47 million constitutes the largest group. Other ethnic groups with a population exceeding 1 million include the Bai Hani, the Zhuang and the Dai.
As a plateau and mountainous province, Yunnan belongs to the southward extension of the Qing-Zang Plateau. With an average elevation of around 2000 m, Yunnan enjoys huge elevation differences. Kawagebo Peak, the highest point, 6740 m and is the main peak of Meili Snow Mountain in northwestern Yunnan. The lowest point is only 76.4 m at the confluence between the Nanxi and Yuanjiang Rivers in Hekou County, which borders Viet Nam.
Daily schedule
Thursday, March 26. Arrival at Kunming and bicycle adjustment. Sleep at Kunming. Meals not included.
Friday, March 27. Test ride in high elevation, visiting YunNan Ethnic Village, welcoming dinner and watching <Dynamic Yunnan> show. Sleep at Kunming.
Riding 25 km.
Saturday, March 28. Kunming > JinNing > ZhengHe Park. Sleep at JinNing
About 75 km.
Sunday, March 29. JinNing > YuXi. Sleep at YuXi.
About 70 km/229 M.
Monday, March 30. YuXi > JiangChuan > JiangCheng > Fuxian Lake Sunshine Coast. Sleep at ChengJiang Sunshine Coast.
About 62 km/616 M.
Tuesday, March 31. Fuxian Lake Sunshine Coast > The Fish Boundary Rock > HaiKou Town > Cherry Blossom Valley > ChenJiangYueChun Holiday Hotel
About 57 km/450 M.
Wednesday, April 1. ChenJiang > Shilin (Stone Forest Park) > Kunming.
By bus.
Thursday, April 2. Kunming > Dali Old town. Free day to explore Dali. Sleep at Dali. Meals not included.
By train.
Friday, April 3. Dali > HaiSe > XiZhou > ShuangLang > WaSe. Sleep at Dali.
About 68 km/550 M.
Saturday, April 4. WaSe > XiaGuan > Dali Old town. Sleep at Dali.
About 55 km.
Sunday, April 5. Hike along YuDai Road at Mount CangShan. Visit Baizu (ethnic group) tie-dying at Zhou Cheng. Sleep at Dali.
Hiking.
Monday, April 6. Dali > Lijiang Old town. Free day to explore Lijiang. Sleep at Lijiang. Meals not included.
By train.
Tuesday, April 7. Lijiang > YuHu Village > BaiSha > ShuHe Old town > Lijiang. Sleep at Lijiang.
About 45 km/550 M.
Wednesday, April 8. Free day at Lijiang. Farewell dinner. Lunch not included. Sleep at Lijiang,
Thursday, April 9. Departure from Lijiang. Optional trip: 3-day hike at Tiger Leaping Gorge.