SpiceRoads expand China trips

BANGKOK : SpiceRoads Cycle Tours is expanding routes in China with a new seven-day tour called Biking to Pandas and Buddhas that explores Sichuan province.
Travel agents can book the tour directly for their clients by registering on the company’s new booking portal that offers real-time access.
Biking and pandas are the dominant themes of a trip that unlocks the beauty and culture of the region, including an insight into artisan agriculture and a visit to the Panda Breeding Research Centre – a non-profit research and breeding facility for pandas and other endangered animals.
The cycling part starts in the “laid-back” city of Chengdu with a visit to the pandas to learn about their habitat and lifestyle.
From there it heads for 2,000 years of history at the beautiful town of Pingle, which was the first major stop on the tea-horse ancient road to the west of Chengdu.
The next stop is the Mengding Mountain to visit the Royal Tea Gardens and learn about China’s cultivation of tea that can be traced back to the western Han Dynasty from 200 BC.
On this tour riders will also see the UNESCO World Heritage listed Mount Emei, one of the Four Sacred Buddhist mountains of China; Leshan, home to the world’s largest seated Buddha; and Huang Long Xi, a picturesque town where many Chinese movies have been filmed.
Biking to Pandas and Buddhas covers 320 km by bicycle in five cycling days. The daily distances are between 60 km and 70 km except for the first and last day of cycling when the distances are less. All the cycling is on good quality tarmac roads but there are some hills.
Riders joining the inaugural tours 12 and 26 October will save USD150.
SpiceRoads offers three other tours in China – a 14-day exploration of Yunnan, a 10-day ride through the karst peaks of Guilin, and an adventurous 13-day mountain bike ride around Mount Minya Konka.
SpiceRoads is a specialist bicycle tour operator based in Bangkok offering a range of two-wheel tours in over 25 destinations worldwide. It caters to every level of cyclist and range from day-trips to complete country explorations.

Sourced: ttrweekly