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Activity Level: M
Start / Finish: Beijing / Shanghai
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Superpower Superstar
Poised for superpowerdom, China’s time is now—blessed with a booming economy and bursting with more people than any other country on Earth, the favourite joke among the Chinese is that their national bird is the construction crane. In modern Beijing, you can join the world’s largest peloton—two million strong, plus Norman, our expert guide—and ride past hutongs, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. China’s time is also long, long ago: remote Naxi villages, karst formations along the Li River and champagne on a less-travelled stretch of the Great Wall will bring the past to the present. Later, ample time to reflect over extended stays at secluded and splendid hotels. Time waits for no one, but in China, it slows down for us.
Here’s a sample of what you can expect on your custom-designed Bespoke South China adventure. Intrigued? Contact a Bespoke Trip Planner for further details.
Day 1 In Beijing, bike from the luxury of the Peninsula Hotel to Tiananmen Square and Old Beijing
Day 2 Walk along a less-visited section of the Great Wall to a picnic lunch
Day 3 Walk with a guide through the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Lijiang
Day 4 Bike past farmers tending their fields on a glorious ride along the Yangtze River
Day 5 Visit a remote Naxi village for an extraordinary peak into their traditional lifestyle
Day 6 Cycle among karst formations along the Li River
Day 7 Explore the bustling streets and markets of Yangshuo
Day 8 Ride through the countryside or simply indulge in the creature comforts of your deluxe hotel
Day 9 Breakfast in Gullin, then tse ue in Shanghai
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The Peninsula Beijing, Beijing
Recently refurbished from top to bottom, the Peninsula was rated China’s top hotel by Travel + Leisure in 2004. We know why! One block away from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, its location is fantastic—as are its rooms, amenities, and buffet breakfast.
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Banyan Tree Lijiang, Lijiang
From the moment you open the gate to your private garden villa, you will sense the magic of Lijiang and the beautifully designed Banyan Tree. The warm rustic colours and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain reflected in your personal outdoor jet pool make your villa the perfect retreat after a glorious day of biking at the foothills of the Himalayas.
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Sheraton Guilin Hotel, Guilin
Conveniently located on the banks of the Li River, this five-star hotel boasts modern amenities, excellent service and a refreshing outdoor pool.
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Moderate
This trip is rated Moderate. Our rides are between 20 and 40 km (12 and 25 mi.) in cities and over gentle rolling rural terrain. We bike as a group with Chinese and B&R guides escorting you, with the opportunity to stop along the way. The traffic can be unnerving at the beginning, but in this country of 1.3 billion people and seemingly as many bicycles, drivers are accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists. Rural areas such as Yangshuo and Lijiang offer far more wide-open spaces, with relatively few vehicles sharing the roads.
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