8 Days Southeat Guizhou Cycling Tour with Ethnic Minorities Discovery

Schedule: Bike fitting after breakfast (about 30 minutes), depart at 9:00, arrive in Leishan County (雷山县) for lunch at around 12:00 (cycling for about 3 hours), continue cycling at 14:00 in the afternoon, arrive in Baiyan Village (白岩村) before 16:30, and rest after dinner.
Attractions/Locations Passed: Langde Miao Village (朗德苗寨), small Miao villages along the way, Leishan County (雷山县), Leigong Mountain (雷公山) (the highest peak of the Miaoling Mountain Range, 2178 meters above sea level, a national forest park, known as one of the "most beautiful mountain bike race routes"), Baiyan Village Miao Village (白岩村苗寨), nearby waterfalls.
Cycling Road Conditions: The whole road is mainly gentle river valley roads and gentle mountain roads, with low difficulty, suitable for adapting to the rhythm. The first 15 kilometers are cycled along the stream beside the homestay, with flat road surface, passing through several small Miao villages along the way, with wide vision; the middle 6 kilometers are gentle climbing, entering the Leigong Mountain (雷公山) area and forest area, the road surface is asphalt rural road, with gentle slope and no steep slope; then 6 kilometers are winding downhill, passing through tea plantations, terraced fields and villages, with flat road surface and no gravel, many bends need to control the speed; after lunch, cycle 5 kilometers of gentle climbing to Baiyan Village (白岩村), the road surface is mountain asphalt road, with wide vision on both sides, you can enjoy the distant view of Leigong Mountain (雷公山), the overall road condition is good, no complex sections.
Supplementary Notes: Leigong Mountain (雷公山) is named for the frequent thunder in summer. It is an important water source of the Pearl River Basin, with high vegetation coverage and rich animal and plant resources. The Leigong Mountain (雷公山) tea produced locally has a long reputation. Baiyan Village (白岩村) is located near the ridgeline of Leigong Mountain (雷公山), surrounded by mountains, you can walk to visit nearby waterfalls and villages after dinner.

Schedule: Depart after breakfast at 8:00, arrive in the river valley area for lunch at around 12:00 (cycling for about 4 hours), continue cycling at 13:00, arrive in Leli Town (乐里镇) before 17:00, and rest after dinner.
Attractions/Locations Passed: Baiyan Village Miao Village (白岩村苗寨), Leigong Mountain National Forest Park (雷公山国家森林公园), Leigong Mountain Pass (雷公山垭口), river valley canyon, Yan'ao Village (岩敖村), Leli Town (乐里镇) (the core market town of "72 Dong Villages", the location of Asia's largest bullfighting arena), Miao and Dong ancient villages along the way.
Cycling Road Conditions: Today is a day with medium difficulty in the whole trip, with rich road conditions, including undulating roads, long-distance climbing and downhill. The first 8 kilometers are undulating upward sections, the road surface is asphalt rural road, with gentle slope, gradually entering Leigong Mountain National Forest Park (雷公山国家森林公园); then 10 kilometers are continuous climbing sections, entering the core area of the forest park, the road surface is flat, with dense trees on both sides blocking the sun, and the slope is moderate, which is a certain test for physical fitness; after arriving at the pass, it is 26 kilometers of continuous winding downhill, passing through forests and river valley canyons, the road surface is asphalt, with dense bends, need to pay attention to braking safety, and you can enjoy the canyon scenery along the way; after lunch, it is 12 kilometers of gentle river valley road, cycling along the river bank, with flat road surface, passing through several Miao and Dong villages; the last 5 kilometers are gentle climbing, then a small downhill to Leli Town (乐里镇), the whole road has no gravel road, the overall road condition is good, but the cycling distance is long, need to reasonably distribute physical fitness.
Supplementary Notes: Leli Town (乐里镇) is the central market town of "72 Dong Villages". A grand bullfighting festival is held every sixth day of the sixth lunar month, which is participated by 72 surrounding Dong villages. The winning buffalo will bring high honor to the village. Stay in a hotel near the bullfighting arena outside the town at night, and you can feel the local folk atmosphere in advance.

Schedule: Depart after breakfast at 7:30, arrive in Piaozhai Village (漂寨) for lunch at around 12:00 (cycling for about 4.5 hours), continue cycling at 13:00, arrive in Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨) before 18:00, and rest after dinner.
Attractions/Locations Passed: Leli Town (乐里镇), Leli River Valley (乐里河河谷), reservoir, Piaozhai Village (漂寨), Yuezhai Village (月寨村), Zaima Township (宰麻乡), Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨) (a 600-year-old ancient Dong village, a national 3A scenic spot, retaining five hundred-year-old wind-rain bridges), terraced fields and forest landscapes along the way.
Cycling Road Conditions: Today's cycling distance is the longest, with large undulations and medium to high difficulty. The first 32 kilometers are continuous downhill sections, cycling along the Leli River Valley (乐里河河谷), the road surface is asphalt rural road, flat and smooth, with wooden villages built along the mountains on both sides, beautiful scenery, and the speed can be moderately increased; then 8 kilometers are climbing sections, passing through the reservoir, the road surface is mountain asphalt road, with gentle slope, passing through the forest area, you can overlook the remote Miao villages; then 5 kilometers are gentle downhill, passing through terraced fields, entering Piaozhai Village (漂寨); 4 kilometers climbing from Piaozhai Village (漂寨) to Yuezhai Village (月寨村), the slope is moderate, and the road surface has no gravel; then 15 kilometers are rural road downhill, cycling along the rocky stream, the road surface is slightly undulating, some sections are narrow, need to pay attention to meeting vehicles; the last 5 kilometers are gentle climbing, entering Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨), the last section of mountain road at the village entrance is narrow, need to be careful when meeting vehicles, the overall road surface is mainly asphalt, with a small amount of rural dirt road, no steep slope.
Supplementary Notes: Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨) is well-preserved. There are blue slate streets and large drum towers in the village. The villagers still retain traditional farming and indigo dyeing techniques. No ticket is required. You can walk around the village after dinner to feel the original ecological Dong village life.

Schedule: After breakfast at 8:30, first freely tour Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨) (about 1 hour), depart at 9:30, arrive in Xiaozhai Village (小寨) for lunch at around 12:30 (cycling for about 3 hours), continue cycling at 13:30, arrive in Zengchong Dong Village (增冲侗寨) before 15:30, and freely explore the village after dinner.
Attractions/Locations Passed: Dali Dong Village (大利侗寨), Xiaozhai Village (小寨), Zengchong Dong Village (增冲侗寨) (famous for its Qing Dynasty drum tower, built in 1672, known as the "living fossil of Dong architecture"), rural pastoral landscapes along the way, stream and river valley.
Cycling Road Conditions: The road condition today is relatively flat, with low difficulty, suitable for rest and physical recovery. The first half is returning to the main road along the original road, the road surface is asphalt rural road, flat and smooth; then 5 kilometers are climbing sections, including 3 kilometers of gentle climbing and 2 kilometers of continuous curve climbing, the road surface is asphalt, with moderate slope, no steep slope; after reaching the top of the slope, 7 kilometers are continuous downhill, with flat road surface and gentle curves, directly reaching Xiaozhai Village (小寨); the second half is all flat road, cycling along rural roads, passing through several villages and pastoral scenery, the road surface is a mixture of asphalt and cement, no gravel, smooth cycling, no complex road conditions overall, and you can easily reach Zengchong Dong Village (增冲侗寨).
Supplementary Notes: The drum tower of Zengchong Dong Village (增冲侗寨) is a full fir mortise and tenon structure, which is the discussion and social center of the Dong people. The village is surrounded by streams and dense forests around. You can walk around the village after dinner, communicate with local villagers, and feel the ancient Dong village culture.

Schedule: Depart after breakfast at 8:30, arrive at the bank of Duliu River (都柳江) at around 11:00 (cycling for about 2.5 hours), then transfer 40km by vehicle (about 1 hour), lunch at 13:00, continue cycling at 14:00, arrive in Basha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨) before 16:30, and rest after dinner.
Attractions/Locations Passed: Zengchong Dong Village (增冲侗寨), small reservoir (village water source), Duliu River (都柳江), Basha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨) (the last legally armed Miao village in China, retaining ancient warrior costumes and tough folk customs), mountain forest landscapes along the way.
Cycling Road Conditions: Today's cycling is divided into two sections, with vehicle transfer in the middle to avoid busy main roads and reduce cycling risks. The first section is 13 kilometers, a gentle climbing section, cycling around the reservoir, the road surface is asphalt rural road, flat and no gravel, gentle slope, after reaching the top, you can overlook the panoramic view of the mountains and Duliu River (都柳江); then 12 kilometers are continuous downhill, with winding road surface and many bends, flat road surface, directly reaching the bank of Duliu River (都柳江); after 40km transfer, the second section of cycling is 9 kilometers, the first 5 kilometers are forest rural road climbing, the road surface is asphalt, moderate slope, dense trees on both sides blocking the sun; the last 4 kilometers are gentle downhill and undulating road, flat road surface, directly reaching Basha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨), no complex road conditions overall, low difficulty.
Supplementary Notes: The men in Basha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨) retain the tradition of shaving their heads, keeping long braids, wearing knives and carrying guns. The blunderbuss is mainly used for sacrifices and welcome ceremonies. The village also retains the tree burial culture. You can visit the village after dinner to feel the unique Miao folk customs.

Schedule: Depart after breakfast at 8:00, arrive in Huanggang Dong Village (黄岗侗寨) for lunch at around 12:00 (cycling for about 4 hours), continue cycling at 13:00, arrive in Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨) before 16:00, and hold a cycling celebration after dinner.
Attractions/Locations Passed: Basha Miao Village (岜沙苗寨), Congjiang County (从江县), Duliu River (都柳江), Xinchuan Dong Village (新川侗寨), Huanggang Dong Village (黄岗侗寨) (original ecological uncommercialized Dong village), Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨) (a well-known Dong village in Qiandongnan, with eight drum towers, convenient transportation), lakes and canyon landscapes along the way.
Cycling Road Conditions: Today is the last day of cycling in the whole trip, with rich road conditions and medium difficulty. The first 5 kilometers are fast downhill, the road surface is asphalt, flat and smooth, directly reaching Congjiang County (从江县), need to pass through the busy streets of the county, pay attention to avoiding vehicles; then 10 kilometers are cycling along Duliu River (都柳江), the road surface is asphalt national highway, flat but with many vehicles, need to cycle carefully; then 4 kilometers are gentle climbing, passing through mountain rural roads, passing through several quiet Dong villages, flat road surface; then 11 kilometers are ridgeline undulating roads, the road surface is asphalt rural road, wide vision, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains; after arriving at Xinchuan Dong Village (新川侗寨), the whole journey is continuous downhill, passing through Huanggang Dong Village (黄岗侗寨), flat road surface, moderate bends, with lakes and canyon landscapes along the way, the last section of road is flat, directly reaching Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨), no steep slopes and gravel roads overall, suitable for a relaxed finish.
Supplementary Notes: Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨) is the end of this cycling trip. There are eight streets and eight drum towers in the village, corresponding to eight clans. There are terraced fields and canyon landscapes around. Although there are a certain number of tourists, it is relatively quiet in non-holiday periods. It can be used as a rest place after the end of cycling, or you can hike to Tan'an (坦安) on the top of the valley to enjoy the scenery.

Schedule: After breakfast, you can return freely. You can choose high-speed rail, bus and other transportation methods to leave Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨) according to your own itinerary (there is a high-speed rail station near Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨), with convenient transportation).
Attractions/Locations Passed: Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨) (you can wander around the village in the morning to feel the quiet atmosphere of the morning).
Cycling Road Conditions: No cycling task today. You can freely visit Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨), pack your luggage and prepare to return.