China16 days
China by Bike: Guangdong to Beijing — 16 Days
A 16-day cycling journey from rural Guangdong through mountain villages to Xi'an and Beijing, with support vehicle and guide throughout.
This tour moves across four Chinese provinces by bicycle and rail, beginning in Guangzhou and ending in Beijing. The first week takes you through the rural lowlands and ethnic minority villages of Guangdong — cycling between 30km and 80km daily through farmland, past deserted villages shaped by urban migration, and into mountain regions where Yao communities still maintain traditional settlements. A transition to Guangxi brings you to Yangshuo's karst landscape, followed by an overnight train to Xi'an, where you visit the Terracotta Warriors and hike Mount Lishan for views of the first emperor's tomb. The final leg reaches Beijing, including a day on the Great Wall at Mutianyu and cycling through the city's hutong neighborhoods. A guide leads the entire journey; a support vehicle carries luggage and offers rest options. The route balances moderate daily cycling with cultural stops, museum visits, and river travel.
Highlights
- Cycling 80km through rural Guangdong, observing villages depopulated by urbanization and aging communities left behind
- Morning hike and boat cave visit in the mountains between Jiulong and Mingjing
- Two days cycling through ethnic Yao villages in the Liannan and Lianshan mountain regions
- Hiking Mount Lishan for views of the Terracotta Warriors and the first emperor's tomb near Xi'an
- Cycling 14km on top of Xi'an's city wall
- Overnight train journey from Xi'an to Beijing
- Full-day visit to the Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Cycling tour of Beijing's hutong neighborhoods and visits to the Forbidden City, Tian Anmen Square, and Mao's Mausoleum
- Li River cruise near Yangshuo and cycling to Moonhill
Day by day
1Arrival in GuangzhouHotel Canton
Participants arrive in Guangzhou and check in at Hotel Canton. The group gathers at 6:30 p.m. in the hotel lounge for a meeting and welcome dinner. The tour leader outlines the route and logistics for the coming two weeks.
2Guangzhou to Zhaoqing by BikeGuangzhou to Zhaoqing · Mount Dinghu · Star Lake Park · Song Tao Hotel
A 30km cycle from Guangzhou to Zhaoqing. The afternoon is spent exploring the nature preserve at Mount Dinghu and Star Lake Park. Overnight at Song Tao Hotel.
3Cycling Rural Guangdong to GuangningGuangning · rural Guangdong Province · villages in Guangdong Province
An 80km ride through quiet rural countryside in Guangdong Province. The route passes through villages emptied by migration to cities — a visible marker of urbanization's scale across China. Those who remain in these settlements are predominantly elderly, a demographic shift visible in the landscape itself. Small-town Guangning, the day's destination, is a place where travelers from outside China can still draw genuine attention. The 4-star hotel in the town center offers comfort amid this slower-paced setting. Overnight in Guangning.
4Jiulong, Mingjing, and Cave ExplorationJiulong and Mingjing · a cave · Huang Hua Gu Guest House
A 70km cycle through rural terrain toward Jiulong and Mingjing. Midway, a boat ride takes you to a cave for exploration. Overnight at Huang Hua Gu Guest House.
5Jiu Long to Yangshan CyclingJiu Long to Yangshan · Yangshan Hotel
An 80km cycling day from Jiu Long to Yangshan. Your guide and support vehicle accompany the route. Overnight at Yangshan Hotel. Includes bike, water, and accommodation.
6Yangshan to Liannan Through Yao VillagesYangshan to Liannan · Jin Yao Feng Hotel
An 80km cycle to Liannan, with stops at two ethnic Yao villages in the mountains. Overnight at Jin Yao Feng Hotel (4-star).
7Mountain Hiking and Cycling to LianshanLianshan · mountains
The morning begins with a hike into the mountains to visit a Yao village and observe the mountain landscape. You then cycle 60km to Lianshan. The hotel sits in a setting defined by mountain backdrop and lakefront views. Overnight in Lianshan.
8Rural Roads to ZhongshanRural Roads to Zhongshan · Zhongshan Hotel
An 80km cycle through very rural country roads brings you to Zhongshan in Guangxi Province. Your guide and support vehicle accompany the journey. Overnight at Zhongshan Hotel (4-star).
9Transfer to Yangshuo and Karst CyclingYangshuo · Qinghui Garden Hotel · Yangshuo's distinctive karst countryside
A 150km drive delivers you to Yangshuo, where you check in to Qinghui Garden Hotel. The afternoon brings easy cycling — 30km total — through Yangshuo's distinctive karst countryside. Overnight in Yangshuo.
10Moonhill Cycling and Li River CruiseMoonhill · Li River · Yangshuo
Cycling to Moonhill in the morning, followed by a river cruise on the Li River in the afternoon. Overnight in Yangshuo.
11Yangshuo to Xi'an via Flightairport · Skytel Hotel
The morning is unscheduled for personal exploration. An afternoon transfer takes you to the airport for a flight to Xi'an. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to Skytel Hotel for check-in and overnight stay.
12Xi'an: Mount Lishan, Terracotta Warriors, and Muslim QuarterMount Lishan · Muslim quarter · Terracotta Warriors site · local Muslim restaurant
A morning hike on Mount Lishan provides elevated views of the first emperor's tomb and the Terracotta Warriors site, which you then tour. The afternoon returns to Xi'an city for a visit to the Muslim quarter. Dinner is taken in a local Muslim restaurant. Overnight in Xi'an.
13Xi'an City Tour and Overnight Train to BeijingXi'an · Shaanxi Historical Museum · Wild Goose Pagoda · city wall
The morning includes a visit to the Shaanxi Historical Museum and the Wild Goose Pagoda. A 14km round-trip bike ride on top of the city wall follows. An overnight train journey to Beijing completes the day. You travel in a soft sleeper berth.
14Beijing: Forbidden City, Hutong Cycling, and Mao's MausoleumForbidden City · Mao's Mausoleum · Tian Anmen Square · hutong neighborhoods · Beijing Dong Fang Hotel
Morning arrival in Beijing and breakfast at the hotel. The day's tour includes Mao's Mausoleum, Tian Anmen Square, and the Forbidden City. A bike ride through the hutong neighborhoods offers ground-level views of Beijing's traditional residential lanes. Overnight at Beijing Dong Fang Hotel.
15Full Day at the Great Wall: MutianyuMutianyu section of the Great Wall · Beijing
A full-day excursion to Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Overnight back in Beijing.
16Departure from BeijingBeijing airport
After breakfast, you make your own way to the airport for your return flight home.
Where you go
- 1Guangning
- 2Huang Hua Gu Guest House
- 3Yangshan Hotel
- 4Jin Yao Feng Hotel
- 5Lianshan
- 6Yangshuo
- 7Qinghui Garden Hotel
- 8Moonhill
- 9Li River
- 10Yangshuo
- 11Mount Lishan
- 12Muslim Quarter
- 13Terracotta Warriors site
- 14Xi'an
- 15Shaanxi Historical Museum
- 16Wild Goose Pagoda
- 17City Wall
- 18Forbidden City
- 19Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall
- 20Beijing
Included
- Meals: 15 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches and 3 dinners
- Guide: Tour leader throughout whole trip
- Included gear:
- 27 speed mountain bike and bike helmet.
- E-bike is available for an extra charge of @US$150.00
- Support vehicle for passengers and luggage
- Drinking water in 19 liter jar is provided daily