The Art of Rice
Bikepacking to the rice terraces of Yuanyang, a World Heritage site and one of the most photographed sights in China.
China
The Many Faces of Dali
We leave Shaxi reluctantly, wishing we could just rent a house and stay forever. As we make our way out of the valley and towards Dali, however, we must register that change is coming soon. An express highway is already being built. Soon delicate bridges like this one will stand next to a concrete colossus. I’ve … Read more
Falling in Love with Shaxi
A hunter’s home, I’ve known it since Mali, can be a sign of good luck. When we roll into Shaxi valley I realise that I was right. This is the China of my childhood imagination, even though according to most guidebooks and to the 134-word stub from Wikipedia, this pace is not even sure to … Read more
South of Eden
We decide to reach Yangtze River via Baishuitai, Haba and Tiger Leaping Gorge, but first we head to the Shangri-la market. Such mountain passes and dizzying switchbacks require a serious caloric load. The typical Tibetan breakfast can definitely accomplish either that, or give me a heart attack. Jon favours a bawl of yak soup and … Read more
Shangri-La – Paradise Found?
From Litang we stop advancing west and point south towards Shangri La, a place of almost mythical fame among travelers.
From Kangding, with Love
We’ve been for days in Dartsendo known as Kangding in Chinese, famous for inspiring the Kangding Love Song
Paradise Lost
I manage to sleep until 09:30 when I realize how we were able to survive the insane cold, even if Tagong grasslands are already under the grip of winter.
Ba Mei to Tagong
An exhilarating descent ending at an average altitude of 3,500 meters at the eastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
(almost) Alone With the Mountain
Our next destination on the Cycling in China route is Ba Mei, a town on the No.317 Sichuan-Tibet Highway.