This 12-day bicycle tour through Western Sichuan begins and ends in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, home to the Giant Panda and spicy food. The cycling on this tour is relatively moderate to challenging. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 34 miles (56 km). Vehicle transport will be used on several days to supplement the cycling to get to the next destination. This will be a vehicle supported ride so cyclists will carry only their daypacks. This tour will visit both well-known and little-known sights and will appeal to those who have cultural, social and geographical interests.

This tour begins with a tour of brief tour of Chengdu visiting Wenshu Monastery, the River Viewing Pagoda and a local tea house with Sichuan opera.

The following day the group will take transport to west to Dujiangyan, the location of the 2,500 year old irrigation system that is still in use today. This irrigation system was responsible for the end of severe drought and flooding problems and the development of the Sichuan basin as the rice bowl of southwest China. Lunch will be along the one of these canals. We will continue to the road leading into the Wolong Panda Nature Reserve where we will cycle to Wolong and visit the Panda Research Center with plenty of panda photo opportunities.

On the third day, the group will head up to Balangshan Pass (partially using transport) through the Wolong Nature Reserve. The pass is at 4,523 meters (14,835 feet). Along the way, Yaks can be seen grazing on the slopes tended by Tibetan herdsman. At the top of the pass we will then coast down into a gorgeous valley to Rilongguan, at the base of Four Girls Mountains (6250 m, 20,500 ft), rugged snow covered peaks. Extended cycling options will be open to those who wish to try cycling at high elevation.

On day four, the group will cycle (mostly downhill) to Xiaojin Xian where there is a Buddhist Temple, an Islamic Mosque and a Catholic Church where Mao spend some time on the Long March. Along the way will be visits to Twin Bridge Valley and Wori Tibetan Defensive Tower.

On Day five, we will cycle to Danba, located on the Dadu River, a major tributary to the Yangzi. We will also visit a lamasery and a Tibetan Buddhist Temple. There will be a rest day here so the group can explore the area including some of the Tibetan Defensive towers the dot the hills around the town.

From Danba we will head south along the Dadu (going downstream) part way to Kangding, a Tibetan town with a rushing river flowing through the middle of it. We will visit an interesting Tibetan Monastery.

On Day 8, the group will cycle over a 4,000-meter pass leading to Moxi, the gateway to Hailuogou Glacier Park. On Day 9 we will visit the lowest glacier in Asia and, weather permitting, see some spectacular views of Gongga Shan, a peak of 7,556 m (24,784 ft). Hiking and mountain biking and hot springs are some of the possible activities.

Cycling downhill from Moxi, the group will get transported most of the way to Xiling Mountain area and stay in a hotel with hot spring. Options for longer distances will be available to those who want more cycling.

On Day 11, the group will cycle to Anren near Dayi, to visit the Li Landlord Manor. This is a good example of a feudal manor and was used as a re-education center to illustrate the evils of the landlord-serf system and includes an area of over 100 life-size clay figures graphically displaying the downtrodden workers being abused by the landlord.

On the last day, the group will cycle back to Chengdu, stopping for lunch in the small fishing village of Huanglongxi that is used as a set in classic period movies.

Below is the route summary with distance in kilometer/miles and note if alternative transportation may be used for part of the way