Cycling Distance: ~55 km, Duration: 4-5 hours (including breaks and photo opportunities)
07:30-08:00 Meet up and depart from Guanglong Town (广龙小镇)
Breakfast: Enjoy local specialties such as xidoufen (稀豆粉) with youtiao (油条) or Yunnan small pot rice noodles (云南小锅米线), replenishing carbs for the ride. Replenish water and snacks at convenience stores in Guanglong Town, and check the bikes before departure. The town is close to Starlight Night Market (星光夜市) and Shiguang Boardwalk (时光栈道), where you can briefly explore before heading out.
08:00-10:00 Guanglong Town (广龙小镇) → Haikou Town (海口镇) (25 km, flat terrain)
Route: Guanglong Town → Chengjiang Fossil Museum (澄江化石地博物馆) (photo opportunity, free entry with prior reservation) → Haikou Town. The route follows the northern shore of Fuxian Lake (抚仙湖), mostly flat, passing wetlands and flower fields with expansive views. Maintain a pace of 15-20 km/h and take a 5-minute break every 10 km to hydrate and stretch.
10:00-11:30 Haikou Town (海口镇) → Hongshanwei Pink Beach (红山咀粉色沙滩) (20 km, core challenge section)
Route: Haikou Town → Fuxian Lake East Shore Greenway (抚仙湖北岸绿道) → Hongshanwei Pink Beach. This section includes 5-6 steep climbs, with a maximum gradient of about 9%. Control your speed, maintain a steady pace, and exercise caution during downhill sections. The scenery becomes more open as you approach the pink sand beach, a free attraction, ideal for photos. Best time for photos is before 11:00 AM.
11:30-12:30 Lunch (near Hongshanwei (红山咀))
Lunch: Enjoy a local fish meal with specialties like copper pot fish (铜锅鱼) and wild vegetable salad (凉拌野菜).
12:30-14:30 Hongshanwei Pink Beach (红山咀粉色沙滩) → Xianhu Bay (仙湖湾) → Sunshine Mountain Town (太阳山小镇) (10 km, gentle incline)
Route: Hongshanwei → Xianhu Bay (仙湖湾) → Sunshine Mountain Town. This section is mostly flat or mildly uphill. Visit Xianhu Bay, which offers free access and a lovely boardwalk along the lake. Continue to Sunshine Mountain Town, where you can explore iconic spots like the cliff swing, infinity pool, and sunset bridge.
14:30-17:00 Leisure time and rest at Sunshine Mountain Town
Arrive at Sunshine Mountain Town, check-in, and store bikes. Take a 1-hour break. Afterward, visit local scenic spots such as Sakura Valley (樱花谷) (ticket for entry), offering stunning lake views and scenic photo opportunities. If you're up for it, visit Moon Bay Wetland Park (月亮湾湿地公园) (entrance fee, redeemable for park consumption). At sunset, enjoy beautiful lake views and capture the stunning colors.
18:00-19:30 Dinner at Sunshine Mountain Town
Dinner: Enjoy lakeview dining at Shu Xi Lakeview Restaurant (束西·湖景小馆). Recommended dishes include pan-seared anti-waves fish (香煎抗浪鱼) and Yunnan cold rice noodles (云南凉米线).
19:30 onwards Rest
Return to your accommodation for a good rest.