8 Days Yangtze River and Three Gorges Cycling Tour from Chongqing to Yichang

Tour Overview

This immersive 8-day cycling tour along the Yangtze River showcases the stunning Three Gorges, blending outdoor adventure with rich cultural experiences. Starting in Chongqing, a city known for its...

Code of Tour: CDT0000061054

Length of Travel: 8 Day

Destinations of Tour: Chongqing-Changshou-Fengdu-Wanxian-Fengjie-Badong-Yichang

Departure City: Chongqing

Price of Tour: Request

Type of Tour: Private

Features of Tour: Cycling tours

More Map & Picture

This immersive 8-day cycling tour along the Yangtze River showcases the stunning Three Gorges, blending outdoor adventure with rich cultural experiences. Starting in Chongqing, a city known for its hilly terrain and vibrant nightlife, cyclists will navigate scenic paths, picturesque towns, and historical sites, ultimately reaching Yichang. Ideal for cycling enthusiasts, the tour offers moderate to challenging routes while exploring one of the world’s longest rivers.

Tour Highlights

• Chongqing City Tour: Kick off your adventure with a delightful dinner cruise on the Yangtze River and an exhilarating ride on the monorail, soaking in the city’s unique skyline.
• Fengdu Ghost Town: Visit the enigmatic ghost town with its haunting sculptures and stories, exploring Mingshan Mountain and the “King of Hell.”
• Nine-storeyed Pagodas: Stop at Wanxian to admire these traditional structures and learn about their cultural significance.
• Gorge Adventures: Experience breathtaking views while traversing the Qutang and Wu Gorges by ferry, and enjoy a unique boat ride along the Shennong Stream.
• Three Gorges Dam: Visit this monumental engineering feat and understand its impact on the region.

China’s Three Gorges have drawn landscape lovers for centuries down the majestic Yangtze River, one of the world’s longest. Bike China is now offering the opportunity to bicycle along this river for much of the distance between Chongqing and Yichang while providing an opportunity to view the Three Gorges (Qutang, Wu and Xiling Gorges) from the deck of local ferries.

This is an 8-day bicycle tour begins in Chongqing and ends in Yichang and includes two domestic flights from Shanghai to Chongqing and from Yichang to Shanghai.  This is a moderate to challenging bicycle tour.

Chongqing is located at the confluence of the Min and Yangtze Rivers and is where are tour begins with a short city tour including a dinner cruise on the river and a ride on China’s first monorail.

On Day 2 we head east out of Chongqing crossing the Yangtze on a massive bridge and cycle along the south side of the Yangtze River to Mudong where we then take a ferry to Changshou.

The next day, the group will cycle to Fengdu, crossing the Yangtze once again. Fengdu is famous for its ghost town Mingshan Mountain, the stone carving of the ghost king appearing in the Guinness Book of Records, and the unique kingdom of hell.

Continuing downstream the group will cycle to Wanxian on Day 4 and visit the Nine-storeyed Pagodas of Good Fortune.

On Day 6, we will take a break from cycling and utilize a local ferry to pass through the Qutang and Wu Gorges to the town of Badong. There we will cross the river and take a half-day excursion up the Shennong Stream for impressive scenery in the “peapod” boats that are pulled and rowed upstream.

On Day 7, we will take another ferry through the third gorge, the Xiling Gorge to the Three Gorges Dam site. There the group will visit the world’s largest dam and then cycle to Yichang.

On the last day, we will have the option of cycling the 30 km along the Yangtze River to the airport or taking transport. An afternoon flight to Shanghai concludes the tour.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Chongqing

• Distance: 30 km (18 miles)
• Activities:
  • Fly from Shanghai to Chongqing in the afternoon.
  • Meet your group and transfer to your hotel.
  • Enjoy a river cruise on the Yangtze for stunning nighttime views.
  • Experience a ride on Chongqing’s monorail, one of the first in China, offering unique perspectives of the hilly city.

Day 2: Chongqing to Changshou

• Distance: 37 km (23 miles)
• Activities:
  • Cycle across the Yangtze River on a massive bridge and follow the southern bank.
  • Pass through scenic countryside and arrive in Mudong before reaching Changshou.
  • Explore local culture and cuisine in Changshou.

Day 3: Changshou to Fengdu

• Distance: 113 km (69 miles)
• Activities:
  • Cycle along the Yangtze to Fengdu, renowned for its ghost town and the mythical Kingdom of Hell.
  • Visit Mingshan Mountain to see impressive stone carvings and learn about the town’s folklore.
  • Overnight stay in Fengdu, with options for local dining experiences.

Day 4: Fengdu to Wanxian

• Distance: 172 km (105 miles)
• Activities:
  • Depart Fengdu, cycling through lush landscapes and mountains.
  • Visit the Nine-storeyed Pagodas, which are rich in cultural significance and provide panoramic views of the area.
  • Enjoy local hospitality in Wanxian.

Day 5: Wanxian to Fengjie

• Distance: 136 km (83 miles)
• Activities:
  • Continue your cycling journey to Fengjie, tackling more mountainous routes.
  • Experience the warm hospitality of local communities and explore the town.
  • Prepare for the next day’s ferry adventure.

Day 6: Fengjie to Badong

• Distance: 0 km
• Activities:
  • Take a ferry ride through the breathtaking Qutang and Wu Gorges, capturing stunning views of the cliffs and unique rock formations.
  • Enjoy a half-day excursion up the Shennong Stream in “peapod” boats, offering a serene experience amidst nature’s beauty.
  • Return to Badong for the night.

Day 7: Badong to Yichang

• Distance: 58 km (35 miles)
• Activities:
  • Ferry through the Xiling Gorge to the Three Gorges Dam.
  • Learn about the dam’s construction, its impact on the river, and the environment.
  • Cycle to Yichang, concluding your cycling journey with a sense of accomplishment.

Day 8: Departure from Yichang

• Distance: 0 km
• Activities:
  • Enjoy your final morning in Yichang, perhaps visiting local markets or attractions.
  • Fly back to Shanghai in the afternoon, concluding your unforgettable tour of the Yangtze River and Three Gorges.

Total Distance

• 536 km (327 miles)

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Chinese visa fees;
• Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.