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Little Guilin, YanYan Crags (HKCO3W) 2 Nights/ 3 days This is just one of the variety of short tours in duration of 3-5 days in South China throughout the year. These are by far the most popular for expats working in Asia and also amongst the local Chinese community as they can be scheduled to fit into Public Holiday periods. They allow for a quick get away from the fast pace of Hong Kong life for example, yet are short enough to fit into limited holiday periods. Riders who join this type of tour are very wide ranging in ability. From those who haven't ridden for 10 years to those who ride every day. It doesn't matter as each can set their own pace and support vehicles are never far away to pick up those who want a rest. Most of these short trips revolve around the sights with "hobbit land" type geography much like the Karst Crags of Guilin. Such sights are the Seven Star Crags National Park of Zhaoqing city ,the Crags of Nine Dragon or those in Shaoguan of Mount Danxia. This particular itinerary starts from the Seven Star Crags Park and is sometimes called "Little Guilin" because of its Karst formations amongst seven lakes much like the rocks and water of Guilin. Travel in and out of China is by boat and biking is largely on paved roads with some intermittent dirt roads. This particular itinerary has some climbing, therefore we have graded it Medium even though it is short. Highlights are always the close up view of village life, terraced rice fields, and forested valleys to name a few. Tour Grade: Medium Hotel Grades: See Itinerary below (indicated in parentheses) Distance: 120 - 140 Km. Go to Schedule and Pricing Information.
HKCO3W Itinerary: Day 01: Assemble at the Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal on Canton Rd., 1/F Departures Hall in front of the red digital display board at 7:30 AM. Departure for China via hovercraft at 8:15AM after clearing HK immigration and Customs. Arrival at our destination of Zhaoqing City around 12:30PM. First its lunch and check in to the Song Tao Hotel(3) in the Seven Star Crags National Park. The afternoon can be spent with cycling around the Park on its numerous bike lanes. This park is sometimes referred to as "Little Guilin" with its many lakes and Karst formations. After a ride back to the Song Tao Hotel (3), showers and dinner we will go out on the town to enjoy the great buys at the city's Night Market back in Zhaoqing. 20 km. of cycling. Day 02: We will get the first 60 km out of the way by coaching this morning. After that it is a 80-90 km stretch if you can make it! We start off with a nice downhill of 10KM. Our destination is the Wu Long Guesthouse amongst the Yan Yan Crags and we will have lots of dirt road and three climbs to get there! An incredibly beautiful ride amongst forests and rivers. Overnite at the Wu Long Guesthouse (2) Day 03: Early morning look at the Double Dragon caves or a short bike ride – each participant must choose as there is not enough time for both. Morning return to Zhaoqing city by coach in time for a quick lunch and hovercraft departure for Hong Kong at 2 PM. Arrival in Hong Kong at 7 PM. *Itinerary
Subject to Change *Subject to our Terms/Conditions and Inclusions as published.
Little Guilin, Yan Yan Crags, Wuzhou (HKCO4W) 3 Nights/ 4 days Just one of a variety of short tours – 3 to 6 days in South China – offered throughout the year. These tours are by far the most popular for expats working in Asia and also amongst the local Chinese community, as they are scheduled to fit into limited public holiday periods. They allow for a quick getaway from the fast pace of Hong Kong. Riders who join this type of tour will typically vary widely in cycling ability; from those who have seldom ridden to those who are disciplined daily riders. Everyone can set his or her own pace with support vehicles never far away. This itinerary takes in some of the beautiful sights such as the Seven Star Crags National Park of Zhaoqing city, the Yan Yan Crags, the Crags of Nine Dragon (Jiu Long) or those in Shaoguan of Mount Danxia. This particular itinerary starts from the Seven Star Crags Park which is most often compared to its famous cousin because of its Karst formations amongst seven lakes much like the rocks and water of Guilin. Travel in and out of China is by boat or train and biking is largely on paved roads with some intermittent dirt roads. This particular itinerary has some climbing, therefore we have graded it Medium even though it is short. Highlights are always the close up view of village life, the interesting topography, terraced rice fields, and forested valleys to name a few. Tour Grade: Medium Hotel Grades: See Itinerary below (as indicated in parentheses) Distance: 170 – 200 Km. (145 – 175 mi.) Go to Schedule and Pricing Information.
HKCO4W Itinerary: Day 1: Assemble at the Hong Kong China Ferry Terminal on Canton Rd., 1/F Departures Hall in front of the red digital display board at 7:30 AM. Departure for China via hovercraft at 8:15AM after clearing HK immigration and Customs. Arrival at our destination of Zhaoqing City around 12:30PM. First its lunch and check in to the Song Tao Hotel(3) in the Seven Star Crags National Park. The afternoon can be spent with cycling around the Park on its numerous bike lanes. This park is sometimes referred to as "Little Guilin" with its many lakes and Karst formations. After a ride back to the Song Tao Hotel (3), showers and dinner we will go out on the town to enjoy the great buys at the city's Night Market back in Zhaoqing. 20 km. of cycling. Day 2: We will get the first 60 km out of the way by coaching this morning. After that it is a 80-90 km stretch if you can make it! We start off with a nice downhill of 10KM. Our destination is the Wu Long Guesthouse amongst the Yan Yan Crags and we will have lots of dirt road and three climbs to get there! An incredibly beautiful ride amongst forests and rivers. Overnite at the Wu Long Guesthouse (2) Day 3: A visit to the nearby Double Dragon Caves this morning and then we ride toward FengKai the border town with Guangxi Province. On the way we will ride by what is termed the “largest stone in the world” and it is impressive (no Ayer’s Rock though). Our destination is 50 km beyond this point coming back back in a half loop toward Zhaoqing and the city of Deqing. Overnite at the Style Hotel (3). Day 4: Morning return to Zhaoqing city by coach for lunch (limited time for morning cycling) and hovercraft departure for Hong Kong at 2 PM. Arrival in Hong Kong at 7 PM. *Itinerary
Subject to Change *Subject to our Terms/Conditions and Inclusions as published.
North Guangdong Yao/Guilin Explorer (COC-1) 12 nights/13 days
A bit of Yao Legend... Legend records that the Yao Kingdom was challenged by a superior army in days of old. To save his kingdom, the King offered one of his three daughters and half his domain to the brave man who could defeat the enemy. No one responded until one day his favorite dog began to speak and accepted the challenge! The dog went on to defeat the enemy but told the King he did not care about half the Kingdom and only wanted the King's daughter as his just reward. Reluctantly, the King kept his promise and the third daughter was chosen by the dog. It was soon found that the dog was able to transform into a man during the night, so the King asked the dog to change into a man permanently. The dog agreed but told them that this would necessitate putting him in a steaming wok for 49 days and to never uncover the wok during the period. It was agreed. Thus the steaming process was begun but by the 6th week his young bride could handle the suspense no longer and she opened the wok. The dog jumped out of the wok and transformed into a man with dog ears and hairy legs. His young bride was so sorry for her impatience. To this day this is the reason the Yao people wrap their heads with scarves and cover their legs! Season: September through May Tour Grade: Medium Hotel Grades: See Itinerary below (as indicated in parentheses) Distance: 550 - 600 km - Average daily Cycling distance: 60Km (37+Miles)
COC-1 Itinerary: Day 1: Afternoon departure for China by Express Train or Bus to Guangzhou from Hong Kong or Airport Transfer for arrivals into Guangzhou Airport. Overnight at the White Swan Hotel (5) or Equivalent. Day 2: Coaching and Riding 20-40 Km to Zhaoqing and the Seven Star Crags National Park. Overnight at the Song Tao Hotel (3). Day 3: Cycling to Qing Yuan 90 Km's. Relatively flat cycling on pavement. Overnight at the Qingyuan Guest house (2). Day 4: Over the mountains a bit today on the coach and then a nice 20 Km ride to Jiu Long. Upon arrival we will have time to explore the interesting rock formations in this valley. A very quiet and remote location - not much night life here! Day 5: Cycling 110 Km today to Yang Shan - hilly country and some dirt road. Overnight at the Yang Shan Hotel (2). Day 6: On the coach initially and then 60 Km cycling to Lian Shan. Hilly country passing through the Yao Autonomous Region. Absolutely wonderful country road with fantastic mountain views. Overnight at the Lian Shan Hotel (1). Day 7: Today we cross into Guangxi Province with 60 Km cycling to our destination of Zhongshan. Overnight at the Zhong Shan Hotel (1). Day 8: Today you will travel mostly by bus and if there is time have some cycling just before the destination of Yangshuo 30 Km. Overnight at the Yangshuo Hotel. (4) Day 9: We will have a Boat Ride on the Li River and also have time to cycle 40 Km around this quaint town of Yangshuo. Yangshuo has the typical "hobbit land" scenery with a small town feel. The atmosphere and scenery such as Moon Gate Hill is wonderful. Here, in the evening you can see the Cormorant fishers on the Li River. Overnight at the Yangshuo Hotel (4) Day 10: Morning Free to explore the valleys and area by bike. In the afternoon we will get a boat ride up the Li River and enjoy a sunset. Overnight at the Yangshuo Hotel (4). Day 11: Cycle 60 Km to the famous city of Guilin. Picnic lunch enroute. Overnight at the Guilin Royal Garden Hotel (5). Day 12: A Morning flight from Guilin to Guangzhou. Flight departure time to be advised in Guilin, flight time is 45 minutes. City Tour or Guangzhou and a Farewell Banquet featuring the best of Cantonese Style Cuisine. Overnight at the White Swan or Equivalent (5). Day 13: A morning express train or bus departure brings you back to Hong Kong or you will be transferred to the Airport for your flight departure from Guangzhou Airport. *Itinerary
Subject to Change *Subject to our Terms/Conditions and Inclusions as published.
12 nights/13 days Unlike our other China tours, we do not necessarily send one of our tour manager/bike mechanics with COC-2 if the group size is very small. The Chinese guides and drivers are very versed with this trip however, and the guides are bi-lingual. NOTE: China Visa processing is complimentary in your tour fee. However, as this tour is always a Monday departure for China, if you choose for us to process your China visa, you must arrive in Hong Kong on the previous Thursday PM the latest. As this can incur a hefty Hotel bill in Hong Kong, you may wish to process your visa in your home country before departure. Season: September through May Tour Grade: Medium Hotel Grades: See listing each day (as indicated in parentheses) Distance: 550 - 600 km Average daily Cycling distance: 50Km (31+Miles) Day 1: Afternoon departure for China by Express Train or Bus to Guangzhou from Hong Kong or Airport Transfer for arrivals into Guangzhou Airport. Overnight at the White Swan Hotel (5) or Equivalent. Day 2: By bus to FoShan city, famous for its porcelains and one of the largest ancestral temples in South China. A short distance by coach further on from FoShan brings you to Xi-Qiao Park (pronounced See-Chow) where your cycling begins. Its 60 Km to Zhaoqing our destination for the evening on sealed country road the whole way. The last stage involves a river crossing by ferry to the city. A short ride once across the river brings us into the Seven Star Crags Park and the Song Tao Hotel (3) our accommodation of two nights. Day 3: Today there are several options: Cycling around the Seven Star Crags 20 km of bike paths is one, another is sightseeing at a local kindergarten and ink-stone factory, while another is riding out to Mt. DingHu nature reserve with its beautiful waterfall. Who knows, maybe you have time to do it all! This is your tour so we want you to decide with our guide what seems best for you on this day. Overnight at the Song Tao Hotel (3). Day 4: A coach ride west will bring us to our cycling starting point on the top of a
great downhill ride! A nice 15 km downhill and then another 80 km rolling hill with two
good climbs in the middle to our destination of DeQing city. Again, sealed roads and
getting even more rural and "back in time". Overnight at the Style Hotel (3). *Itinerary
Subject to Change *Subject to our Terms/Conditions and Inclusions as published.
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All photos Copyright Tim Obendorf |
