Lijiang, China

Chinese cuisine


Map of Tibet's regions - click on thumbnail for larger map

Potala Palace, Tibet
 
Hong Kong

New!  
TIBET & CHINA Cycling Tour

July 6-22, 2007
[Includes travel dates from west coast, U.S.]

$2990 US ($400 single hotel supplement)

Join us for an incredible bicycle tour to Dali, Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge in China's Yunnan Province, then a once-in-a-lifetime 3-day trip to cycle in Tibet!

Here is a link to more information and maps about the beautiful Yunnan Province
Follow this link to see the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge
Click on this link to learn more about Tibet, which borders Yunnan Province
 

Tour Features
·   All 3- to 4-star hotel lodging
·   All meals (except Hong Kong)
·   All domestic transportation by air, boat and train
·   Bicycle (bring own helmet, water bottles & accessories)
·   Entrance fees for all cultural & historic sites & special activities
·   Guides, mechanics & interpreters
·   Vehicle & motorcoach support
·   Maps and instructions
 

Itinerary

JULY 6-7: Depart U.S. and lose one day crossing the International Dateline.  

JULY 8:  HONG KONG.  Arrive at Hong Kong Airport, with an easy transfer to our hotel by shuttle bus.  You’ll meet with other participants of the group and overnight at a 3-star hotel located in the heart of the Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon,  The rest of the day is for shopping or sightseeing in Hong Kong.  Hotel is included in the tour package, but meals are on your own.  

JULY 9:   KUNMING.  After an early breakfast in the hotel, we'll leave for Guangzhou by morning express train.  We take the afternoon flight to Kunming and overnight at a 4-star hotel. 

JULY 10:  DALI.  Take a morning flight to Dali, home to over 1.5 million Bai minority people whose culture, crafts and warm hospitality create its renowned laid-back atmosphere. We’ll take the bicycles for a 20-km warm-up ride around the old city in Dali. There are plenty of places to explore or cafés to visit within the town’s old city walls or just cruise around its cobblestone streets. Overnight at a 4-star hotel.  

JULY 11: DALI.  This morning we jump on our bicycles for some flat cycling around the gorgeous Er Hai Lake (60km) passing Bai villages as they thresh their rice road-side!  Alternatively, visit the colorful Shaping markets, the preserved architecture of Xizhou, or hike up to Zhonghe Si temple. Overnight at 4-star hotel.

JULY 12: LIJIANG.  Today ride 100 km through rolling and beautiful countryside with small farms. In the late afternoon we’ll transfer to by bus to Lijiang, listed as a World Heritage site. Overnight at 4-star hotel.  

JULY 13: LIJIANG.  We cycle 36 km to Yunshanping. At this scenic spot a ski lift has been built and we can admire the majestic snow capped peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain above us.  More cycling on quiet tar-sealed roads takes us through misty pine forests. In the afternoon we can explore the town’s ancient cobblestone alleyways and canals that are home to the intriguing Naxi minority people. Overnight at 4-star hotel. 

JULY 14:  TIGER LEAPING GORGE. Today set off along the Tibetan Highway for  dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge. We'll drive over beautiful mountains to the ancient
Stone Drum Town set on the first bend of the Yangtze River. Here the Yangtze makes a sudden V-shaped bend, nearly 180-degrees, and creates beautiful views. At the river’s bend stands Stone Drum (Shigu) Town, named after a drum-shaped marble plaque commemorating the victory of Lijiang's Naxi ruler over an invading Tibetan army. We cycle to the famous Stone Drum Town along the beautiful river (round trip 20 km).  Then  we continue to cycle about 45 km to the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge, the world's deepest gorge. Overnight at Yi Xiang Hotel in the town of Tiger Leaping Gorge. 

JULY 15: LIJIANG.  We cycle to Black Dragon Pond, Baisha Village and the village of Longquan today.  Baisha Village, once the capital of Naxi Kingdom, is famous for its Buddhist frescoes.  In the afternoon we will visit the old town with canals and bridges, cobblestone lanes along the river. Overnight at 4-star hotel.  

JULY 16:  CHENGDU.  We’ll do more sightseeing or cycling in the countryside surrounding Lijiang, then take an afternoon flight to Chengdu. Overnight at a 4-star hotel. 

JULY 17:  LHASA, TIBET.  You’ll take an approximately 3-hour flight to Lhasa, then we travel by van or bus about 1.5 hours the city proper. On the way you’ll enjoy spectacular scenery, driving through typical Tibetan villages and past Yak-skin boats cruising the Yalung Zangbo River. Check in our hotel and adapt yourself to the attitude (Lhasa is 3650 meters above sea level). Overnight at 4-star hotel. 

JULY 18:  LHASA.  We’ll bicycle to Yumbulakhang Palace, Trandrak Monastery and the Tombs of Tibetan Kings. Overnight at 4-star hotel.  

JULY 19: LHASA.  This morning you’ll bicycle to visit the Potala Palace, the palace at the highest elevation in Tibet. In the afternoon you’ll see Sera monastery; Luobulingka, the summer palace of Dalai Lama; and the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet, built in the 7th century. Overnight at 4-star hotel. 

JULY 20:  GUANGZHOU.  This day is set aside for any delays in Lhasa, Tibet. Our scheduled morning flight takes us to Guangzhou, where you’ll transfer to our hotel and have the rest of the day on your own for exploring or sightseeing in Guangzhou. Overnight at 4 star hotel in Guangzhou.

JULY 21:  Breakfast at the hotel, then take an express train to Hong Kong and transfer to hotel on your own by taxi. Overnight included at 3-star hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. Dinner is not included in tour package. Additional days in Hong Kong are an option.  

JULY 22: Breakfast in the hotel, then transfer to Hong Kong Airport on your own by shuttle bus from hotel. Depart for US and arrive in the US on the same day!