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The Guangxi Bike Journey

TheHutong Travel TheHutong 2020-10-04

The Hutong’s Inaugural Guangxi Bike Journey: June 27 – July 5

 

Guangxi feels like something straight out of a fairy tale. Lush rice terraces, meandering rivers, breathtaking karst mountains, and remote minority villages make this a destination like no other. Yangshou is a mecca for domestic and international outdoor enthusiasts alike, who use it as a base camp for exploring the vibrant countryside surrounding this travel-friendly town. Since its rise to popularity as a backpacker haven in the 1980s, Yangshuo has remained one of China’s top tourism draws ever since. The surrounding Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is less-known, but equally spectacular and home to 11 different ethnic minorities and 16 beautiful rivers.


Guangxi offers something for everyone, be they foodies, thrill seekers, budding anthropologists, or nature enthusiasts. There is something otherworldly about the magical waters of Yangshuo giving a oneness with the land that keeps us coming back to explore again and again. Cycling past limestone peaks on a dusty mountain trail, seeing our reflection in the mirror-like Li river, adventurously tucking into a plate of spicy local fish, or simply viewing the moon through our guesthouse window, this land of ten thousand peaks will cast a spell on you. 


Join us on our Guangxi Bike Journey.



How to book


To tentatively reserve your space, contact Luke Giles at luke@thehutong.com.

 




Day 1, June 27 



Bajiaozhai National Park

After arriving in Guilin and some quick introductions, we hit the ground running with a transfer to the north of Guilin (2 1/2 hours) to the UNESCO Heritage Bajiaozhai National Park, famed for its unique red sandstone karst formations. Once here, we’ll hike up to the Buddhist temples on the highest peak for incredible views overlooking the neighbouring provinces of Guangxi and Hunan. 


After a wander through these working temples and watching locals make offerings and wishes at these shrines, we return to our local hotel to set up the bikes (time permitting). Dinner tonight will feature a local feast featuring regional specialties. Over dinner we’ll go over the tour and answer questions you may have.






Day 2, June 28 



Bajiaozhai to Chetian - 70km


Today’s ride is a varied one that takes us up into the mountains. For the first few kilometres we ride out of the park through tiny villages on quiet roads. The undulating terrain is set to a backdrop of forest and farmland, where you’ll see local people tending rice fields and livestock. We take a sharp ascent up onto a ridge line where things flatten out before descending into a wider valley to our lunch stop in Guali village. The streets are teeming with local life and people may be curious to see foreigners here on bicycles. 


After lunch it is a steady climb to the tiny village of Baotian, where we’ll break at a local school. The descent on the other side takes us through forests, narrow gullies and a ravine. We’ll pass numerous villages and wooden houses built on the mountainsides which are nestled amongst rice terraces, fruit orchards and wild forest. We then have a short ride out of Chetian town towards our accommodation for the evening; a quiet basic guesthouse in a secluded valley with spectacular rock formations and waterfalls ideal for walks and swimming.


Riding: 70 km on quiet sealed road. General upward trend over 30km with 3 main climbs. One of 5km and two of 8kms, interspersed with flat sections, to the top of a pass, followed by a 10km downhill with the remainder generally flat.





Day 3, June 29 



Chetian to Longsheng Hot Springs - 40km


Today’s ride is a spectacular one as we have two passes and descents, and plenty of time to stop and visit the many ancient villages along the way. This area is inhabited by Dong, Miao and Yao people and the villages see virtually no tourists. One of the great experiences of the region is to simply stop and visit. Locals are sure to welcome you with a smile and are proud to see you look around their homes. It’s not uncommon to be invited in for a nice cup of tea! After the second climb it’s a long gentle downhill ride to the Longsheng Hot Springs. Well known in the local area, this is the perfect location to stop and soak your muscles after the day’s ride. Tonight we stay in a small family run guesthouse in a narrow gorge with an outdoor natural hot spring. There is a great hike along the gorge to a local Miao village for those with some energy left. 


Riding: 40 km. Sealed road with two small passes, after which it is 25 km of gentle downhill.





Day 4, June 30 



Longsheng to Ping’an - 67km


Today we continue cycling along the Xun River, an area that was part of the Long March and served as Mao Zedong’s secret hideout for many years. Once in Longsheng, we’ll check out the local market. This is where much of the region’s produce ends up before being traded to far off locations around China or to local kitchens. There is a vast array of goods for sale, exotic and sometimes strange, but always colourful and intriguing. We arrive in Ping’an (a village by the Longsheng rice terraces) in time to sit back and enjoy the sunset views from the terrace of our traditionally-built Zhuang guesthouse. 


Riding: 67 km. Gentle undulations in the morning to lunch (35km) then 26km of generally flat roads with some small hills to the Longji Terraces and one steep 6km climb to end.





Day 5, July 1 



Ping’an to Shiertian  - 61km 


Today starts, after breakfast, with a morning hike up to the viewpoints surrounding the village for some of the more dizzying views of the trip.  Cascading rice terraces snake across ridgelines and draw photographers from across the country. Built over 600 years ago by the local Zhuang and Yao minority groups, the Dragon’s Backbone Longji rice terraces are an incredible feat of irrigation and agriculture. We’ll return to the bikes for a fantastic switchback back down the mountainside with the rest of the day on quiet sealed roads undulating through pine and bamboo forests, often passing villages tucked away in the hills. The views are spectacular as we head up a steady climb that’s followed by the fastest twisting descent of the trip to lunch. 


In the afternoon there is some paddles for a sometimes thrilling, sometimes serene, optional rubber raft ride directly to our riverside hotel. We’ll settle in for the evening with a chance to explore the area on foot or try ping pong before a banquet of tasty local dishes. 


Riding: 61 km. Very quiet sealed roads on generally hilly terrain. One 12 km climb.





Day 6, July 2 



Shiertian to Daxu - 30km 


A morning of completely flat cycling! We make our way through the village of Wantian and visit the market. After lunch, we transfer to Daxu, a Ming-era village that retains some of its centuries-old architecture and was one of the bigger trading towns along the Li River, a route that connected the north via Guilin’s ancient Ling canal to the Yangze River, and south via the Li and Pearl rivers to Guangzhou. Daxu is a fine example of what old world China once was, with cobblestone lanes, a 400 year old stone arch bridge and people still living in wooden dwellings roofed in classic black tiles. We’ll have plenty of time for a wander down the old streets, view the riverside bustle and pop our heads into one of the old courtyard houses to see how the better off once lived. There’s plenty of antiques and curios on offer by the dozens of hawkers along the old main laneway. Along with the obligatory snake oil salesmen, you’ll find sellers offering Mao’s Little Red Book and other communist paraphernalia, as well as purveyors of the weird and wonderful herbs and remedies. 


Riding: 30km. Flat sealed country lanes and bike path with small sections on dirt tracks and some short sections on main roads.






Day 7, July 3 



Daxu to Xingping - 65km 

We hit the road, literally cobble stones to begin with, and make our way on and off a designated cycle path along the Li River through bamboo forests and along the water’s edge.  We’ll pass by several villages, including a Hui village with its own mosque which is extremely rare in Southern China – a legacy of population movement forced through past conflicts. 


At Caoping, we stop for lunch before a climb up to take in what the Chinese often refer to as ‘the finest scenery under heaven’ – karst mountains overhanging the river. We take a hilly route following the Li, glimpsing these spectacular mountains above and below, crossing the river by ferry before a long downhill, another ferry crossing, and a flat run into Xingping, an old port village, and our guesthouse views over the town. Xingping, famed for the scenes on the 20 yuan note, is becoming quite a tourism hotspot. Despite the occasional crowds, it is an interesting place to wander around and there are lots of little cafes and handicrafts to check out, adding to its charm. There are some spectacular lookouts and swimming spots too. 


Riding: 65 km. Generally flat sealed roads for 10km followed by three short climbs to lunch. Three longer climbs after lunch are separated with downhills and flat riding on quiet mountain roads.





Day 8, July 4 



Dragon River Valley - 45km 


Our last day is a real highlight. We’ll cross the Li River by ferry and make our way back into the hills high above the Li River. Snaking our way through fruit orchards and tiny villages we head to Baisha, a small town famed for its stone work and bustling market. The morning features some longer climbs before a downhill into Baisha. 


After lunch at the 400 year old Fuli Bridge, we cycle through small villages, pomelo groves and rice fields. The final section of the day’s ride is through the stunning Dragon River Valley where we take dirt trails through rice fields surrounded with mountains before settling in a local farmer’s village at one of the most charming hotels of the tour. Weather permitting we’ll eat under the stars and enjoy a beer by the pool! 


Riding: 45km. Sealed roads with several climbs and descents, short sections on dirt tracks and trails. 




Day 9, July 5 



Departure Day




How to book


To tentatively reserve your space, contact Luke Giles at luke@thehutong.com.


Cycling Info


During the course of 7 days of cycling, we will complete almost 400km. Our itineraries often vary slightly, given the chance of a minor adjustment to provide an extra opportunity for exploration and discovery.


Biking Difficulty


3.5 out of 5 (you do not need to be a Tour de France rider, but you will need to be able to take on some hills).



Price


9,900 RMB per person.


Included: All meals, twin-share accommodation, high-quality mountain bike, helmet, seven days supported cycling, support vehicles, local guides and Hutong staff, and transfers to and from Guilin Airport/train station. 


Not included: Your travel expenses to Guilin. 


For participants who arrive earlier and would like to remain in Guilin or Yangshuo for another couple days, The Hutong will provide tips on what to do, see and eat while exploring on your own.

 


Start Date: Saturday, June 27th, 2020 


This journey begins in Guilin. Participants should plan their travel to arrive in Guilin by noontime, as we will transfer directly to Bajiaozhai National Park. The Hutong will help to arrange a group flight option.

 


Return Date: Sunday, July 5th, 2020


This journey ends in Yangshuo on Sunday morning, and The Hutong will arrange your transfer back to Guilin where there are flights and trains back to all major cities. Please check ticket availability for your return before you book.


How to book


To tentatively reserve your space, contact Luke Giles at luke@thehutong.com.




Where else can we take you?







Take a cooking class at our venue courtyard


Our Beijing cooking classes provide the opportunity to learn about Chinese and global food culture, cooking techniques and regional cuisine. In each 2.5 hour class, you will learn how to prepare 3 dishes including recipes to take home, followed by a meal of your creations.




Some upcoming cooking classes and events:




Scan the QR code to see all our upcoming events or visit us at:

http://thehutong.com/calendar.



How to find us:




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